Troubleshooting solutions to the most common computer problems
So, your computer has problems? Don’t worry, it happens to even the best of us. Fortunately, the most common computer problems are often minor ones that can be fixed with simple troubleshooting solutions. Therefore, you do not need a lot of computer experience to have a working computer most of the time. Here are simple troubleshooting solutions for the most common computer problems:
1. The computer is not working
The most common computer problem that owners encounter is when the device does not turn on. There are hundreds of reasons why a computer won’t turn on which can range from a power outage to a malware attack. The first troubleshooting solution that you should try is to check the power supply. If you are using a desktop, you should plug your computer into a different socket and see if it works. If it is a laptop, you should leave it to charge for a few hours and then try to turn it on. Also, try a different charger to make sure it is not a problem with the charger.
The second solution to try should be to check if your computer’s display is working or not. If your computer has power but won’t turn on, it’s a screen problem. For desktop computers, try connecting your computer to a different monitor and if it works, then your screen is damaged. For laptops, your computer may be in sleep mode, so turn it off and then back on.
Another problem that may cause your computer to not turn on is the failure of external hardware. Therefore, you should disconnect the device and then try to start your computer.
If the above steps do not work, then it is most definitely a software issue and not a hardware issue. You have to reinstall your system which will reset it in case of infection or damage.
2. Update issues
Windows, like all operating systems, needs regular updates to function properly. There are many reasons why your PC may not update, including licensing issues, missing essential files, and more.
There may be other applications on your computer that are not updating as well. If you have an app that won’t open, there’s a lot you can do. The simplest troubleshooting solution is to delete it and then reinstall it.
Update problems are not as serious as other problems that can infect your computer such as malware attacks. The good news is that it is a minor problem that needs to be fixed. In fact, Windows has an internal mechanism for fixing update problems. Open your Control Panel, go to Windows Update and follow the instructions.
3. Slow computer
The second most common problem that computers encounter is slow running. It’s a shame after spending so much time researching PC specs and buying the fastest one. For the most part, the age of your computer will determine its speed.
However, there are troubleshooting solutions that you can try. Your computer has many programs that run as soon as you turn on your computer but only a few of them will consume the most resources.
You should therefore open the task manager and see which programs are running. Click the CPU, Memory, and Disk tabs in Task Manager to see which programs are using the most resources. Click End Task to close most power-hungry programs.
4. Noisy hard drive
When an organ in the body is working properly, for example the liver, you do not feel it. In exactly the same way, if there is a part of your computer that you can hear, it means that it is not working as it should. When that part is the hard drive, then you have a problem on your hands.
Hard drives are often silent but annoying hard drives are one of the most common computer problems you will find. When you start hearing clicking, squeaking, or vibration sounds, there is a problem with your hard drive.
There are several troubleshooting solutions that you can try to address the annoying hard drive. The first step should be to make sure that the noise is actually coming from the hard drive.
Disconnect the power cables and other connections on the hard disk and turn on the computer. If it is silent, then it is the hard drive that is making the noise.
If you are sure that the sound is coming from your hard drive, you should run hardware diagnostics. It is easily available on many computers. You can also find it online.
Hardware diagnostics can be successful or unsuccessful. If it fails, it means that there is a problem with the hard drive hardware. If the opposite happens, this could indicate a software problem with the drive.
In the case of software, you can format the hard disk and see if it continues to produce sound. You can also receive other recommendations by passing them on to a software expert.
If it is a hardware issue, you will have no choice but to replace the hard drive. You should make sure to backup your files which you can transfer to your new hard drive.
The problems that can affect your computer are endless. The four listed above are just the most common. You can try the troubleshooting solutions to restore your PC. Otherwise, you should seek further professional help.