1. Restart the Computer: A classic IT tip for troubleshooting computer issues is to restart the computer. This is because it can help clear out any temporary bugs, or refresh processes that may not have been running correctly. Reboot the system and see if that resolves your issue, before moving onto other more in-depth troubleshooting methods.
2. Make Sure the Computer Has All Updates Installed: Make sure all updates, both the operating system and any third-party applications installed on the computer, are up-to-date. Sometimes security updates may cause conflicts, so if you’ve just installed one and something suddenly starts acting up, then it may be a bug surrounding the update. Uninstall the update and/or reinstall it, to see if that resolves the issue.
3. Scan for Viruses and Malware: Many computer problems can be traced back to malicious software. Running an up-to-date anti-virus scanner, as well as scanning for malware, spyware and adware, is essential for keeping your computer safe and problem-free.
4. Run System File Checker: Microsoft Windows has a built-in system file checker that scans files used by the operating system and verifies their integrity. If it finds any issues, then it will attempt to repair them. It’s useful for sorting out corrupt files or drivers that may be causing the system to behave abnormally.
5. Check System Event Logs: Microsoft Windows also comes with a built-in event viewer, which is handy for checking the system logs of your computer. It’s likely that you’ll find an error log which can be used to pinpoint the exact issue causing your computer to malfunction.
6. Use Troubleshooters: Windows also comes with several built-in troubleshooting tools, which can be used to automatically detect and resolve common issues. Simply navigate to the Control Panel and then select “Troubleshooting” – here you’ll find several specific troubleshooters that can be used to identify and fix whatever issue your computer might be facing.
7. Check Device Manager: The device manager is a useful tool for viewing all of the hardware connected to your computer. You can view device properties and driver information, and view the status for each device. It’s useful for efficiently locating any devices with errors or conflicts, so that you can update or remove the device to try and fix the problem.
8. Roll Back Drivers: If you’ve recently updated a hardware device and now your computer is behaving strangely, then try rolling back the driver to restore it to a previous version. This is useful for troubleshooting driver-related crashes and issues.
9. Replace Hardware: Sometimes hardware failures can cause computer issues. Make sure to inspect all the cables, fans, and other components of your computer to make sure they are all in working order. If you suspect the issue is due to a failing part, then replace it with a new one and see if the problem gets solved.
10. System Restore: Finally, if all else fails, then you can try performing a system restore. This will roll back your system to an earlier point in time, when the computer was working properly. This is a very useful tool for restoring the system after a crash or other serious issue.