Ever tried to identify a tech problem and just couldn’t figure it out?
You’re not alone. On average, employees lose two weeks each year trying to fix IT-related issues.
If you’re not working with a managed service provider, you might be dealing with a tech problem alone. Even people who do have access to an MSP may want to try to correct the issue themselves before picking up the phone to call.
Let’s go through five steps you can take to figure out how to fix your IT equipment.
1. Restart the Equipment
We get it. Restarting the equipment isn’t exactly the most exciting solution to your tech problems. It’s pretty basic.
But it’s basic because it works.
Even IT professionals resort to this solution more often than you might think. Sometimes a computer or hard drive just needs a quick reboot to correct whatever hiccup it’s going through. Just like a grumpy child who needs a quick nap, your computer needs just a minute to reset.
Of course, this won’t fix every problem, and if you’re reading this article in the middle of a crisis, you’ve probably already tried this. But just keep it in mind for the future.
2. Check Storage
Before moving on to another step, make sure to check your computer’s storage. Equipment should be able to work when storage is almost full, but it can slow your computer down.
Often, there may be some application or large file that’s taking up a lot of space in the background. Photoshop users, for example, often find that the application takes up excessive space on a computer when it’s been running for too long or is about to crash.
Closing apps when you’re not using them can often keep you away from tech problems. If your business is constantly running into this problem, it might be time to consider data center services or advanced cloud storage solutions.
3. Check Internet Connection
Another basic step you can take is to check your internet connection. Even if pages are loading, your internet might be experiencing some problems. This can be anything from an unplugged cord to a problem with your service provider.
A quick way to check how fast your internet is running is to do a speed test. If you search “speed test” on Google, you’ll see a tool native to Google search. Google’s speed test is great for a quick check, but you can also visit Ookla’s speed test for more in-depth analyses and information about your IP address.
4. Down Detector to Identify a Tech Problem
Sometimes an IT problem has nothing to do with you or your equipment. If you’re having trouble accessing a specific website or app, you can check Down Detector to see if others are running into the same issue.
On Down Detector, you can search an app or website to see if it’s working. The reports also indicate what specifically is wrong with the site, where outages are occurring, and any updates from the company. You can also view historical downtime to see if the issues happen regularly.
5. Check Security
Finally, consider doing a security check of your network and IT equipment. When a hacker has taken over your computer, you’re going to see problems even before the attack comes.
If you’re on a Windows computer, you can open Windows Security to see if it has noticed changes to your security. You can also run a quick scan to see if any issues arise.
Note that some businesses will replace Windows Security with a more robust system. If that’s the case, your administrator will catch the issues before you do, but you should be able to check still.
Macs don’t quite have an equivalent of Windows Security, but there are plenty of online options you can use. Many professionals suggest CleanMyMac X. The software will scan for security breaches and improve your Mac’s performance by removing unnecessary storage.
Of course, just like Windows computers, your business can install an efficient security system on your Mac. Before downloading third-party software, make sure to ask your IT team’s opinion.
Can’t Identify a Tech Problem? Now What?
If you’ve gone through all the above steps to identify a tech problem, there’s a good chance you’ve fixed your issue. But, unfortunately, it’s not always that easy.
If you’re still seeing error messages, our tech team is ready to help. We’ll cure the headaches, and you won’t have to read articles like this anymore.
Contact us to learn more about how we can make tech work for you today.
