Troubleshooting

Do you understand what to carry out if your screen goes blank? What if you can't seem come close one application, or can't hear any sound from your speakers? whenever you have actually a difficulty with your computer, don't panic! over there are numerous basic troubleshooting techniques you deserve to use to fix issues like this. In this lesson, we'll display you some straightforward things to shot when troubleshooting, as well as how come solve typical problems you might encounter.

You are watching: What are the six steps that you can use to solve any computer problem?

General tips to save in mind

There are countless different points that could cause a trouble with your computer. No issue what's bring about the issue, troubleshooting will always be a procinvernessgangshow.netre of trial and also error—in some cases, you may need to usage several different approaches before you can find a solution; other troubles may be easy to fix. We recommend starting by utilizing the following tips.

Write under your steps: as soon as you start troubleshooting, you might want to write down each action you take. This way, you'll have the ability to remember precisely what you've done and can protect against repeating the exact same mistakes. If you end up asking other human being for help, it will certainly be much much easier if lock know precisely what you've tried already.Take notes around error messages: If your computer gives you an error message, be certain to write down together much details as possible. Friend may be able to use this info later to uncover out if other human being are having the exact same error.Always inspect the cables: If you're having actually trouble v a specific piece of computer system hardware, such together your screen or keyboard, an easy first step is to check all connected cables to make certain they're correctly connected.
*

Restart the computer: when all else fails, restarting the computer is a an excellent thing to try. This can solve a lot of of basic issues you might experience with your computer.

Using the procinvernessgangshow.netre of elimination

If you're having actually an worry with her computer, you may be able to find out what's wrong using the process the elimination. This means you'll make a list of things that could be leading to the problem and then test them out one by one to get rid of them. As soon as you've identified the source of your computer issue, it will certainly be much easier to uncover a solution.

Scenario:

Let's say you're do the efforts to print out invitations because that a date of birth party, but the printer won't print. You have some ideas around what can be resulting in this, so friend go with them one through one to view if you can eliminate any possible causes.

First, you inspect the press to watch that it's turn on and plugged in come the surge protector. That is, therefore that's not the issue. Next, you check to make certain the printer's ink cartridge still has actually ink and that over there is document loaded in the paper tray. Things look great in both cases, for this reason you recognize the issue has nothing to perform with ink or paper.

Now you desire to make certain the printer and also computer are communicating correctly. If you newly downloaded an update to your operating system, it could interfere through the printer. However you know there haven't been any kind of recent updates and also the printer was working yesterday, therefore you'll need to look elsewhere.

You examine the printer's USB cord and also find that it's no plugged in. Girlfriend must have actually unplugged the accidentally once you plugged other else right into the computer earlier. When you plug in the USB cord, the press starts working again. The looks choose this printer problem is solved!

This is simply one example of an concern you can encounter while using a computer. In the remainder of this lesson, we'll talk around other typical computer problems and some means to resolve them.

Simple options to usual problems

Most of the time, problems can be resolved using straightforward troubleshooting techniques, favor closing and also reopening the program. It's important to try these basic solutions prior to resorting to an ext extreme measures. If the problem still isn't fixed, girlfriend can try other troubleshooting techniques.

Problem: Power switch will not start computerSolution 1: If your computer does not start, start by checking the strength cord to check that the is plugged securely right into the earlier of the computer case and also the strength outlet.Solution 2: If the is plugged right into an outlet, make sure it is a working outlet. To check your outlet, you have the right to plug in one more electrical device, such together a lamp.Solution 3: If the computer system is plugged in come a surge protector, verify the it is rotate on. Girlfriend may need to reset the surging protector by turning it off and then earlier on. Friend can also plug a desk lamp or other an equipment into the surging protector come verify that it's functioning correctly.
*

Solution 4: If you are using a laptop, the battery might not be charged. Plug the AC adapter right into the wall, then shot to turn on the laptop. If it still doesn't begin up, you might need to wait a couple of minutes and try again.Problem: An application is running slowlySolution 1: Close and reopen the application.Solution 2: update the application. To perform this, click the Help menu and also look for an alternative to check for Updates. If you don't find this option, another idea is to run an online search for applications updates.
*

Problem: An applications is frozen

Sometimes an applications may become stuck, or frozen. Once this happens, friend won't have the ability to close the home window or click any type of buttons within the application.

Solution 1: pressure quit the application. ~ above a PC, you have the right to press (and hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete (the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your keyboard to open up the Task Manager. On a Mac, press and also hold Command+Option+Esc. You deserve to then select the unresponsive application and click End task (or Force Quit on a Mac) to close it.
*

Solution 2: Restart the computer. If you room unable to force quit an application, restarting your computer will near all open apps.Problem: every programs on the computer system run slowlySolution 1: run a virus scanner. You may have malware to run in the background the is slowing points down.
*

Solution 2: Your computer may it is in running the end of hard drive space. Shot deleting any files or program you don't need.Problem: The computer is frozen

Sometimes your computer may become totally unresponsive, or frozen. When this happens, friend won't have the ability to click all over on the screen, open or close applications, or access shut-down options.

Solution 1 (Windows only): Restart windows Explorer. To perform this, press and also hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your key-board to open the Task Manager. Next, locate and select Windows Explorer indigenous the Processes tab and also click Restart. You might need to click much more Details at the bottom that the home window to view the procinvernessgangshow.netres tab.
Solution 2 (Mac only): Restart Finder. To do this, press and also hold Command+Option+Esc ~ above your keyboard to open the Force quit Applications dialog box. Next, locate and also select Finder, climate click Relaunch.
Solution 3: Press and also hold the strength button. The Power button is usually situated on the front or side of the computer, generally indicated by the power symbol. Press and hold the Power switch for 5 to 10 seconds to pressure the computer system to closeup of the door down.Solution 4: If the computer system still won't closeup of the door down, you deserve to unplug the power cable indigenous the electrical outlet. If you're utilizing a laptop, girlfriend may have the ability to remove the battery to force the computer system to rotate off. Note: This solution should be your last resort after trying the various other suggestions above.Problem: The mouse or keyboard has stopped workingSolution 1: If you're making use of a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure it's properly plugged into the computer.
Solution 2: If you're utilizing a wireless mouse or keyboard, make sure it's turn on and also that that batteries space charged.Problem: The sound isn't workingSolution 1: examine the volume level. Click the audio button in the top-right or bottom-right edge of the display screen to make sure the sound is turned on and also that the volume is up.Solution 2: inspect the audio player controls. Numerous audio and video clip players will have actually their very own separate audio controls. Make sure the sound is rotate on and that the volume is turned increase in the player.Solution 3: examine the cables. Make sure external speakers room plugged in, rotate on, and connected to the correct audio port or a USB port. If your computer system has color-coded ports, the audio calculation port will generally be green. Solution 4: attach headphones to the computer system to find out if you have the right to hear sound with the headphones.
Problem: The screen is blankSolution 1: The computer may it is in in Sleep mode. Click the mouse or press any an essential on the keyboard to wake it.Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and also turned on.Solution 3: Make certain the computer is plugged in and also turned on.Solution 4: If you're making use of a desktop, make certain the screen cable is properly connected to the computer tower and also the monitor.

See more: How Many Boxes Of Girl Scout Cookies Are In A Case, How Many Boxes Are In A Case Of Samoas

Solving more daunting problems

If friend still haven't discovered a solution to her problem, you may need to ask who else because that help. As an easy starting point, we'd recommend searching the Web. It's possible that other users have had similar problems, and solutions come these troubles are regularly posted online. Also, if you have actually a girlfriend or family member who knows a lot around computers, they may be may be to aid you.


Keep in mind that most computer system problems have simple solutions, although it might take some time to find them. For challenging problems, a more correctly solution might be required, favor reformatting your difficult drive or reinstalling your operating system. If you think you could need a solution choose this, us recommend consulting a professional first. If you're no a computer expert, it's possible that attempting these solutions can make the instance worse.