Introduction
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 some 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.
Basic
troubleshooting techniques
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 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 so you 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 already tried.
▶ Takes 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
seeing the same error.
▶ Always check the cables: If you’re having a 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, one of the best things to try is simply
restarting the computer. This can
solve a lot of basis issues you may experience with your computer.
Troubleshooting
specific problems
Now that you
know a few troubleshooting techniques, we’ll talk about possible solutions for
some of the most common problems you may encounter.
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 Check for Updates. If you don’t find this option, another idea to
run an online search for application updates.
Problem: an
application is frozen
Sometime an
application may become stuck, or frozen.
When this happen, you won’t be able to close the window or click any buttons
within the application.
▶ Solution 1:
Force quit the application. If a program has become completely unresponsive,
you can press (and hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete
(the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. You can then select the
unresponsive application and click End
task 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: 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:
Restart Window 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. If you’re using Windows 8, you
may need to click More Details at
the bottom of the window to see the processes tab.
▶ Solution 2:
Press and hold the Power button for 5-10
seconds. This will force the computer to shut down.
▶ Solution 3: 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/keyboard has stopped working
▶ Solution 1:
If you’re using a wired mouse or
keyboard, make sure it’s correctly plugged in to the computer.
▶ Solution 2:
If you’re using a wireless mouse or
keyboard, make sure it is turned on and that its batteries are charged.
Problem: the
screen is blank
▶ Solution 1: The computer may just be in Sleep mode. Simply 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 computer, make sure the monitor cable is properly
connected to the computer tower and the monitor.
Problem: I can’t
hear the sound on my computer
▶ Solution 1:
Check the volume level. Click the audio button in the bottom-right corner of
the screen to make sure the sound is turned on and the volume is up.
▶ Solution 2:
Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video players will have their
own audio controls. Make sure the sound is turned on and the volume is 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 determine if you can hear sound from the headphone.
