We live in a digital world, so almost everyone uses the internet. But, sometimes your computer does not run as it should. And everything starts to go haywire when our devices stop working. From strange noises to blank screens, anything can go wrong with a computer. Furthermore, every computer model has its system and settings. So, things can get confusing very quickly.
Surprisingly, most technical issues have a common root cause. Some easy tips can help you resolve most of these problems. Not only can this knowledge save your time, but it can also save your money. So, let’s talk about things you can do before troubleshooting specific problems.
What To Do Before You Start Troubleshooting Specific Issues?
There are several things you can do to resolve general PC issues. Sometimes, you might have trouble with the hardware because loose wires can prevent components from working correctly. So, always check if the cables alright. Furthermore, updating your applications and browsers can also resolve common issues.
IT guys usually ask people to turn their computers off and on again. This statement became meme fodder, but the advice works. Restarting your computer can resolve fundamental issues. Press the power button or use the shut down command to reboot your device. You can also reset your device by holding the power button for 5 seconds. Give your computer 30 seconds after it shuts down, and then turn it back on again. Chances are, the computer will start working again.
If your computer does not start working, you might be unaware of some software issues. Hence, move on to other solutions. However, keep in mind, troubleshooting is all about trial and error. You will have to spend some time diagnosing the issue. Contact a professional if this is a complex, company-wide issue that needs immediate fixing. Just type https://synergy-uk.com in your address bar to talk to an IT expert. Regardless, here are some handy-dandy tips for troubleshooting specific software issues on your Windows device on the go.
- When an application is running slowly: Begin with closing and reopening the application. Most software will run smoothly after an initial reboot. But, if that is not the case, you can move to the next step by updating your application. To do this, open the help menu of the application. Next, scroll down and click on Check for Updates. If the application does not have this feature, you can always search online for updates.
- When an application freezes: Sometimes applications freeze midway. When this happens, the software becomes unresponsive to commands. So, you will not be able to close the window or click any buttons. There are two ways you can resolve these problems. Start with opening the Task Manager by holding the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys. Then, select the application and click on End Task to close it. The other way to troubleshoot this issue is by restarting the computer because it will turn off all open applications.
- When the computer freezes: Computers also freeze sometimes. Give your PC some time to catch up if it stopped working in the middle of a CPU-intensive task. You can also restart windows explorer if that does not work. To do this, press your Ctrl, Alt, and Delete Keys for the Task Manager. Next, select your file browser from the Processes tab and click Restart. Windows 8 users will have to click on the More Details processes tab. There is always the option to restart your computer if this solution does not work.
- When your computer is slow: Many online programs claim to speed up computers. However, most of these applications are scams. So, try to fix the issue yourself instead of downloading a risky program. Start with shutting down any programs running on your device. Even idle computers have several programs running in the background. Your PC automatically starts these background applications when you turn it on. So, remove programs you don’t use from your startup list.
- When you have too many pop-ups: Sometimes, users accidentally install adware when they download other programs from the internet. So, when you get too many redirects while using the internet, it is time to fix your connection. Run anti-adware scans to find and remove adware. Ant-adware software is better than antivirus programs because they detect several problems. You can also remove any unknown programs that seem suspicious. However, do a Google search before deleting anything.
- When your computer does not connect to the internet: Computers automatically cache the hostname of websites when they use the internet. However, your computer might encounter a problem when an IP address changes before you load the webpage. You can flush your DNS cache if your pages are not loading. First, click the Start button to select Command Prompt (Admin). Then, click on Yes to make changes to your PC. You will have to type several commands to resolve the issue.
- When your computer gets an infection: A slow computer is a symptom of a virus infection. Viruses do not just slow down computers, but they also make your system vulnerable to data breaches. So, it is a good idea to run regular scans on your PC to prevent viruses. Some computers have a default defender program to protect your PC from most threats. So, ensure your default program is running to catch malware. However, it is not so easy to get rid of all viruses. You might have to use Autorun to delete malicious programs. Click on this link to find out how to download and run this application on Windows 13.
Keep An Eye On Other Things
Sometimes, the fundamental cause of a software issue is a problem with the hardware. Therefore, you should also take care of the physical parts of your computer. For example, a problem with the hard disk can make your computer crash after showing the company logo. Try running your computer after taking out your RAM slots to diagnose the problem.
Furthermore, dust buildup can end in a complete system failure. Your computer might also overheat because of dust. Check the core temperature icon to see if your computer is above safe temperatures. Use a high-pressure duster to clean your PC. Similarly, clean the inside of your computer to avoid fragmentation. Uninstall extra applications, and your computer will work faster.
Conclusion
While we cannot promise that these tips will solve all computer issues, they will help you narrow down the root cause. So, start by trying to resolve the problem by yourself before running to your local PC expert. And, there is always the option to Google things if all else fails.
