Basic Tech Troubleshooting
Knowing how to troubleshoot your own tech issues can help to solve your smaller technical issues that may be disrupting your workflow. When you can do your own troubleshooting, you save time not having to wait on someone more tech-savvy to help and it feels great when you can resolve your own issue! Here are the top ten basic steps to take to troubleshoot an issue – and if you can’t resolve it yourself, your tech-savvy person will be impressed when you’ve already went through some steps on your own!
- Restart the Device
A simple reboot fixes many issues by clearing system memory and resolving temporary glitches. - Check Physical Connections
Ensure all cables, plugs, and wireless connections are secure and undamaged for computers, printers, and internet equipment. - Verify Network Connectivity
Test your internet or internal network connection. Try accessing other websites or services to rule out broader outages. - Update Software & Drivers
Make sure your operating system, business applications, and device drivers are up to date to resolve compatibility problems. - Clear Cache and Cookies
For browser or web app issues, clear cache and cookies to remove corrupted or outdated files. - Disable & Re-enable Problematic Hardware
Turn off and on devices (like printers, routers, and external storage) or disconnect/reconnect USB peripherals. - Run Built-in Troubleshooters
Use Windows or Mac built-in diagnostic tools or “Troubleshoot” wizards to automatically detect and fix common problems. - Check for Error Messages
Record and research any error codes or messages online—they often point directly to the solution. - Test with Another User Account or Device
Try the same task on a different computer or user account to determine if the problem is system-wide or account-specific. - Try asking an AI program
I don’t bother Google searching my issues anymore. I go straight to asking Perplexity (my AI of choice). AI can scour numerous forums, videos, and help pages and summarize information that would normally take a lot of sifting through to find!
Tip: Regularly training staff on basic troubleshooting can save time, reduce downtime, and help you spot issues before they escalate!