Scribd
Upload
203 views

Basic Computer Troubleshooting

The document provides tips and solutions for common computer troubleshooting problems. It recommends starting the troubleshooting process by writing down steps taken, checking cables are securely connected, and restarting the computer. Common problems covered include applications running slowly, freezing, programs running slowly system-wide, computer freezing, mouse/keyboard not working, no sound, and blank screen. Solutions range from closing and reopening applications, updating software, checking volume levels, to ensuring cables and batteries are securely connected. More complex issues may require eliminating potential causes one by one or asking others for assistance.

Uploaded by

ircel f. anas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
203 views

Basic Computer Troubleshooting

The document provides tips and solutions for common computer troubleshooting problems. It recommends starting the troubleshooting process by writing down steps taken, checking cables are securely connected, and restarting the computer. Common problems covered include applications running slowly, freezing, programs running slowly system-wide, computer freezing, mouse/keyboard not working, no sound, and blank screen. Solutions range from closing and reopening applications, updating software, checking volume levels, to ensuring cables and batteries are securely connected. More complex issues may require eliminating potential causes one by one or asking others for assistance.

Uploaded by

ircel f. anas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Troubleshooting

Do you know what to do if your screen goes blank? What if you can't seem to
close an application, or can't hear any sound from your speakers? Whenever you
have a problem with your computer, don't panic! There are many basic
troubleshooting techniques you can use to fix issues like this. In this lesson,
we'll show you some simple things to try when troubleshooting, as well as how
to solve common problems you may encounter.

General tips to keep in minds


There are many different things that could cause a problem with your computer.
No matter what's causing the issue, troubleshooting will always be a process
of trial and error—in some cases, you may need to use several different
approaches before you can find a solution; other problems may be easy to fix.
We recommend starting by using the following tips.

 Write down your steps: Once you start troubleshooting, you may
want to write down each step you take. This way, you'll be able to
remember exactly what you've done and can avoid repeating the
same mistakes. If you end up asking other people for help, it will
be much easier if they know exactly what you've tried already.
 Take notes about error messages: If your computer gives you
an error message, be sure to write down as much information as
possible. You may be able to use this information later to find out
if other people are having the same error.
 Always check the cables: If you're having trouble with a specific
piece of computer hardware, such as your monitor or keyboard, an
easy first step is to check all related cables to make sure they're
properly connected.
 Restart the computer: When all else fails, restarting the
computer is a good thing to try. This can solve a lot of basic issues
you may experience with your computer.
Using the process of elimination
If you're having an issue with your computer, you may be able to find out what's
wrong using the process of elimination. This means you'll make a list of things
that could be causing the problem and then test them out one by one to eliminate
them. Once you've identified the source of your computer issue, it will be easier
to find a solution.

Scenario:
Let's say you're trying to print out invitations for a birthday party, but the printer
won't print. You have some ideas about what could be causing this, so you go
through them one by one to see if you can eliminate any possible causes.

First, you check the printer to see that it's turned on and plugged in to the surge
protector. It is, so that's not the issue. Next, you check to make sure the
printer's ink cartridge still has ink and that there is paper loaded in the paper
tray. Things look good in both cases, so you know the issue has nothing to do
with ink or paper.

Now you want to make sure the printer and computer are communicating
correctly. If you recently downloaded an update to your operating system, it
might interfere with the printer. But you know there haven't been any recent
updates and the printer was working yesterday, so you'll have to look elsewhere.

You check the printer's USB cord and find that it's not plugged in. You must
have unplugged it accidentally when you plugged something else into the
computer earlier. Once you plug in the USB cord, the printer starts working
again. It looks like this printer issue is solved!

This is just one example of an issue you might encounter while using a
computer. In the rest of this lesson, we'll talk about other common computer
problems and some ways to solve them.
Simple solutions to common problems
Most of the time, problems can be fixed using simple troubleshooting
techniques, like closing and reopening the program. It's important to try these
simple solutions before resorting to more extreme measures. If the problem still
isn't fixed, you can try other troubleshooting techniques.

Problem: Power button will not start computer


 Solution 1: If your computer does not start, begin by checking the
power cord to confirm that it is plugged securely into the back of
the computer case and the power outlet.
 Solution 2: If it is plugged into an outlet, make sure it is a working
outlet. To check your outlet, you can plug in another electrical
device, such as a lamp.
 Solution 3: If the computer is plugged in to a surge protector,
verify that it is turned on. You may have to reset the surge
protector by turning it off and then back on. You can also plug a
lamp or other device into the surge protector to verify that it's
working correctly.

 Solution 4: If you are using a laptop, the battery may not be


charged. Plug the AC adapter into the wall, then try to turn on the
laptop. If it still doesn't start up, you may need to wait a few
minutes and try again.
Problem: An application is running slowly
 Solution 1: Close and reopen the application.
 Solution 2: Update the application. To do this, click the Help menu
and look for an option to check for Updates. If you don't find this
option, another idea is to run an online search for application
updates.

Problem: An application is frozen


Sometimes an application may become stuck, or frozen. When this happens,
you won't be able to close the window or click any buttons within the
application.

 Solution 1: Force quit the application. On a PC, you can press (and
hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete (the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your
keyboard to open the Task Manager. On a Mac, press and
hold Command+Option+Esc. You can 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 are unable to force quit an
application, restarting your computer will close all open apps.

Problem: All programs on the computer run slowly


 Solution 1: Run a virus scanner. You may have malware running
in the background that is slowing things down.
 Solution 2: Your computer may be running out of hard drive space.
Try deleting any files or programs you don't need.
 Solution 3: If you're using a PC, you can run Disk Defragmenter.
To learn more about Disk Defragmenter, check out our lesson
on Protecting Your Computer.

Problem: The computer is frozen


Sometimes your computer may become completely unresponsive, or frozen.
When this happens, you won't be able to click anywhere on the screen, open or
close applications, or access shut-down options.
 Solution 1 (Windows only): Restart Windows Explorer. To do
this, press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open
the Task Manager. Next, locate and select Windows
Explorer from the Processes tab and click Restart. You may need
to click More Details at the bottom of the window to see the
Processes tab.

 Solution 2 (Mac only): Restart Finder. To do this, press and


hold Command+Option+Esc on your keyboard to open the Force
Quit Applications dialog box. Next, locate and select Finder, then
click Relaunch.
 Solution 3: Press and hold the Power button. The Power button is
usually located on the front or side of the computer, typically
indicated by the power symbol. Press and hold the Power button
for 5 to 10 seconds to force the computer to shut down.
 Solution 4: If the computer still won't shut down, you can unplug
the power cable from the electrical outlet. If you're using a laptop,
you may be able to remove the battery to force the computer to turn
off. Note: This solution should be your last resort after trying the
other suggestions above.

Problem: The mouse or keyboard has stopped working


 Solution 1: If you're using a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure
it's correctly plugged into the computer.
 Solution 2: If you're using a wireless mouse or keyboard, make
sure it's turned on and that its batteries are charged.

Problem: The sound isn't working


 Solution 1: Check the volume level. Click the audio button in the
top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen to make sure the
sound is turned on and that the volume is up.
 Solution 2: Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video
players will have their own separate audio controls. Make sure the
sound is turned on and that the volume is turned up in the player.

 Solution 3: Check the cables. Make sure external speakers are


plugged in, turned on, and connected to the correct audio port or a
USB port. If your computer has color-coded ports, the audio
output port will usually be green.
 Solution 4: Connect headphones to the computer to find out if you
can hear sound through the headphones.

Problem: The screen is blank


 Solution 1: The computer may be in Sleep mode. Click the mouse
or press any key on the keyboard to wake it.
 Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
 Solution 3: Make sure the computer is plugged in and turned on.
 Solution 4: If you're using a desktop, make sure the monitor cable
is properly connected to the computer tower and the monitor.

Solving more difficult problems


If you still haven't found a solution to your problem, you may need to ask
someone else for help. As an easy starting point, we'd recommend searching
the Web. It's possible that other users have had similar problems, and solutions
to these problems are often posted online. Also, if you have a friend or family
member who knows a lot about computers, they may be able to help you.
Keep in mind that most computer problems have simple solutions, although it
may take some time to find them. For difficult problems, a more drastic
solution may be required, like reformatting your hard drive or reinstalling your
operating system. If you think you might need a solution like this, we
recommend consulting a professionalfirst. If you're not a computer expert, it's
possible that attempting these solutions could make the situation worse.

You might also like