Have you tried turning it off and on again? Seriously, sometimes the answer to your IT disaster can really be that simple. Of course, sometimes there’s a bigger issue going on that needs an expert eye, but most of the time, it’s a good idea to try the simplest solution first.
We know that can feel overwhelming when you’re facing a blank screen, a laggy wifi connection or an error page. Whatever you do in your business, you probably rely on your computer on a day-to-day basis.
Things like trying to organise an online meeting, or get a spreadsheet populated, the last thing you want to deal with is a confusing IT problem.
But some of these big problems can have a relatively easy fix with just a little know-how.
1 - Turn It Off And On
If you’ve seen a show called IT Crowd then you might have laughed at this first fix. This is probably the holy grail of all IT support advice and for a good reason. Turning your computer off and on again can remove the temporary files, essentially giving you a clean slate.
Got a PC stuck in booting up mode? All of your programs crashed at once? Strange noises coming from your laptop?
Your first move should be to hit that power button and shut everything down. But there’s a small tip you should know first.
If your device is just being weird or something isn’t loading right, you should be able to shut it down as you normally would. But sometimes your device is having a seriously bad day. You can’t see your cursor, the screen is frozen or maybe a pop-up is preventing you from doing anything.
Don’t panic.
In these cases you can still turn off your device by pressing and holding in the power button until it switches off. This is called a ‘forced shut down’. It might be your new best friend in times of IT trouble.
2 - Scan For Viruses
Viruses can be especially annoying since you don’t always notice they’re there until things start going wrong.
If your computer is running slow, your web connection keeps dropping, or you’re seeing lots of pop-ups in particular, scan for viruses.
This is a simple check but it can save you a lot of grief and frustration when trying to find the source of your issue. Just open your antivirus software (most laptops and PCs will either have built-in anti-virus software or one that you’ve installed yourself). Then run a virus scan.
This scan will identify if you have any hidden viruses or malware, and then give you the option to take further action with your security.
Be aware, not all antivirus software is created equal - we can provide you with the most effective protection against viruses, scams and data theft.
3 - Update Your Software
Not sure why your computer decided to reboot in the middle of your email? It could be down to your software.
Out-dated software is often at the heart of your most annoying IT mishaps. If your problem is specific to a program or accessory (like a mouse or keyboard) then check the software for that is up to date and working normally. You can do this from your program settings.
If your issue is more general, focus on your operating system. You might be due an update and this IT quick fix could be the answer.
4 - Clear Your Cache And Cookies
The more you install, download, upload, save and browse, the more you fill up your computer’s hard drive. This can cause your operating system to grind to a halt.
Uninstall any unused apps or programs and then go to your browser. If your problems are with slow loading pages or web page errors, you may need to head to your web browser settings, then security, and look for ‘clear browsing data’ or ‘clear cookies’.
5 - Check your WiFi Connection
This might be the most obvious fix of them all, but don’t skip it. If you’re struggling with anything internet-related then try this now.
First of all, click on the wifi signal icon on your screen and see whether it says you’re connected or if your signal strength is weak. If you have no wifi connection, then try connecting your device via ethernet cable directly to your router.
If you have internet via ethernet then the problem might be with your wifi connection or the wifi card/adapter on your computer. If you have no internet with or without the ethernet, then it’s best to get on the phone with your internet provider to troubleshoot the issue.
But the most important fix to remember?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. There’s no need to waste time if these easy fixes don’t work on your specific problem. Our IT support is affordable and can get your business back up and running fast and easily. So. if you’d like an IT expert to support you in times of technical difficulty, get in touch with us at Data Innovations.