Everyone runs into computer issues every now and then. The best thing you can do about these virtually unavoidable problems is to educate yourself with some fundamental computer troubleshooting tips.
In this article, we will go over several pieces of advice that every computer owner should know. These basic computer troubleshooting tips will not solve more severe or complicated issues like hardware failure, but they will prove invaluable when it comes to handling more common problems that any PC could potentially be impacted by.
Good Practices to Have for Computer Troubleshooting
Before tackling any specific issues, it is always wise to keep a few things in mind, regardless of whatever computer issue you may be facing. These practices will serve you well over the years whenever you need to diagnose a new PC issue on your own.
Restarting Your Computer
One practice you have probably encountered before is to try restarting your computer. It may sound like a cliché, but it is actually pretty helpful for a number of basic computer issues. Sometimes it will restart your internet connection if it ever randomly goes down. Other times it will trigger a scheduled installation that may download some new drivers that could fix any incompatibility issues that you have stumbled upon.
Double Check Computer Cables
Another simple practice is to double check your cables. Cables should always be in good condition and be properly connected into their respective sockets. Some PC equipment have had compatibility parameters that need to be met. For example, a USB 3.0 device might not work with a USB 2.0 slot.
Error Codes & Error Messages
The last basic computer troubleshooting technique you will want to keep in mind is to take note of any error messages or error codes you come across. These codes are usually very specific about the problem your PC is facing. Looking up that code on a search engine will help you in fixing the issue and could even lead you directly to a solution.
Computer Troubleshooting
While these simple steps will not always fix your computer troubleshooting issues, they should often be the first steps you take when trying to solve something. It could end up saving you a lot of time too. No one wants to spend hours researching internet forums for a computer problem when the solution just happened to be restarting your machine the whole time!
Troubleshooting a Slow Computer
A slow computer could be caused by one of many issues or caused by several issues simultaneously.
Slow Computer Suddenly
In the case of a computer becoming much slower very suddenly, like overnight for example, the cause is likely related to malware of some kind. Try to remember if you have downloaded anything right before your PC started slowing down – it could be a driver or any kind of PC tool. Try uninstalling it, restarting your PC, and checking to see if it is back to its regular speed.
Computer Anti-Virus
Your PC should have anti-virus, anti-malware or anti-spyware program running in the background at all times. These tools are great for detecting and preventing the installation of unwanted or harmful software that can cause issues like slow computers.
Slow Computer Over Time
If your PC has become slower over time, then the issue is probably not malware but more to due with the accumulation of cluttering files. First you should check to see if your hard drive or SSD storage is full. If it is then you will want to delete unwanted data taking up space. If the data is valuable to you then consider moving it onto an external hard drive or an SD card.
Defragmenting a Slow Computer
Another computer troubleshooting tip for a slow computer is to use a process called defragmentation. Windows computers have this option listed as Disk Defragmenter. This tool essentially reorganizes all the data on your storage device in a more efficient manner. After the data is reorganized, your computer will spend less effort and time retrieving whichever programs or files you are trying to access.
HDD vs SSD
Keep in mind that a computer OS installed onto an SSD rather than an HDD will run significantly faster, both in terms of boot time and access speed.
Computer Troubleshooting for PC Not Turning On
If your computer refuses to turn on, do not panic. First, remember the basic steps we explored in the Basic Computer Troubleshooting section to make sure that the issue is not as serious as you may think. Examine all the power cables and make sure they are plugged in correctly or are not torn.
Computer Troubleshooting for Frozen PC Screen
If your computer freezes on you in the middle of an application, the first thing you should always do is press Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously. This will bring up a menu of options, select Task Manager. This will allow you to exit the frozen screen and manually close the frozen application through the Task Manager menu.
If your keyboard is not responding during a frozen screen, then try manually restarting your PC. This is done by pressing and holding the power button until the PC turns off.
Computer Troubleshooting for Blue Screen on Boot Up
The blue screen on boot up is the most serious issue we will be discussing in this computer troubleshooting article. While it has an infamous reputation among some people as the “Blue Screen of Death”, the cause of this screen is not always dire.
Safe Mode
When booting your PC, tap on the F8 key. This should take you to a menu that will allow you to activate your computer’s Safe Mode feature. You can then perform any system diagnostics with any tools you have while using Safe Mode.
If Safe Mode does not appear at all during the booting process, then you may have an issue with a video or graphics driver. Computer drivers can sometimes be finicky with their compatibilities. Sometimes when you download one driver, it can have a negative impact on other drivers.
OneTouchServices for Additional Computer Troubleshooting Help
We truly hope that this article has given you the basic computer troubleshooting tips you will need to navigate the common, but simple, issues that may impact your computer. However, there may come a time when you encounter a problem too complex to handle on your own. Some of these we have already alluded to, like a PC that will not turn on or a monitor screen that only displays blue. That is where we come in.
Professional Computer Troubleshooting Help
OneTouchServices not only specializes in common computer troubleshooting scenarios but the most complex of problems related to computer repair or IT services as well. Our team is diligently trained in a wide variety of computer issues so that we will always be prepared to help you with your situation. Whether you come to us with a computer in need of repairs or upgrades, help with removing a virus or recovering vital data, our computer troubleshooting expertise will get the job done. Feel free to contact us online at any time.