Over the past couple of decades, we’ve witnessed a sharp rise in the use and advancements of computer technology. Despite these many pluses, these systems aren’t without their issues – as there’s nothing more frustrating than a computer error.
Below you will find a list of 7 common issues that you may face, including suggestions on how to fix them.
Networked Printer Not Working
A printer that’s not working as it should is probably amongst the most common experiences an end user may face. The severity of this issue depends greatly on the individual, what they’re doing at the time and how badly they need to print something out.
To fix such an issue, the user should consider checking the ink levels, ensuring there’s still a reasonable amount. They also want to ensure the print cartridges are installed correctly. If your printer runs out of paper, that will also prevent it from printing. Consider resetting it, as it could be an internal error. You can also look at the drivers, make sure they are up to date and working as specified.
My System Keeps On Freezing
This is another common issue that is more severe than most problems you’ll encounter on your system. In the vast majority of cases, a malicious file is to blame (such as a virus or spyware). These virus files are able to infiltrate your system through emails, compromised websites and external USB devices. The emails are referred to as phishing, and usually resemble what appears to be a legitimate email from your bank or PayPal or some other notable service.
Another common cause for a freezing PC is hardware limitations. It’s possible your system lacks sufficient memory to run all the apps currently opened at that specific time. Other things to consider may also include OS updates and software upgrades.
When it comes to things you can do. Well, first, you want to be more cautious about the links you click on. Whenever you receive an email, always take the time to look over it. Are you familiar with who sent it – what is the nature of the email? You should also, never give out any sensitive information (such as passwords and credit card details) over the internet. This despite how legitimate the email you are receiving may appear. When it comes to phishing scams, cybercriminals rely a great deal on the authenticity (at least in appearance) of their emails, to trick people into giving up sensitive financial information.
Also, ensure all your internet security software is kept up to date, such as your antimalware tool, spyware tool and antivirus scanner. Most antivirus scanners come with the ability to be updated automatically. So make sure it’s set to do just that. If you’re certain there is no virus on your computer, then the issue could be due to corrupted or outdated drivers. Go through the various hardware components installed in your system, and consider updating their drivers. A broken driver can cause your system to become intermittent and/or freeze occasionally.
If you feel the issue may be the result of a faulty hardware component, then you should definitely consider removing it from your system. Whether that means, taking it out of your system, or unplugging it (if it’s a USB device). If you’re not sure which component to remove, then you should consider removing all of them, one after the other, while observing its effects on your systems performance.
Internet Is Slow
There are so many factors that contribute to a slow internet connection. The most common of which are:
- Outdated drivers.
- The distance your system is from the router.
- The ISP is currently dealing with technical issues.
When your internet starts to act up, the first thing you’ll want to do is reboot the rooter. You can also consider moving your system close to the router or buying an extender, which will boost the Wi-Fi signal of the router.
If this is an issue at the workplace, then you should contact your IT support agent. As it’s their job to investigate the problem and devise a solution to it.
System Randomly Restarts
If your system restarts randomly, then there is nothing that can be more frustrating and worrisome than that. Such situations may occur while working or playing on your system. This, the potential loss in productivity can be massive.
There are several things you can do to potentially fix this problem. The first thing you’ll want to do is check the drivers of your motherboard. To ensure they are the most recent. The problem could also be due to heating problems. The motherboard could be running hot, forcing it to restart to prevent any permanent damage. So make sure all your internet fans are spinning.
Can’t Open Email Attachments
If something appears to prevent you from opening attachments contained within emails sent to you from friends, family members and the like, it’s possible this could be the result of a system that lacks the necessary software. For example, if the attached file is a PDF then you will need a PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat in order to open it. You always want to check the files extension, as this will tell you what kind of file it is, and what program you will need to open it.
Smartphone Doesn’t Sync With PC
If you want to back up the contents of your smartphone, then the smartest way to do it is through your PC. It’s possible to sync the data on your phone with your computer. However, when this feature fails to work, it could be as a result of several things – depending on the brand and version of smartphone and PC. Sometimes the user may be expected to close all running programs before synching.
So, as a first tip, you should consider closing all opened apps. If there are any updates that you’re expected to download, then be sure to do that, so that the sync will work? Do your own due diligence by checking the files on your computer with those on your smartphone to determine whether or not they’re up to date. If things still refuse to work, there’s always the manual.
System Makes Strange Noises
If you’re system starts to make buzzing or clicking sounds, it’s usually as a result of hardware failure. Whining sounds are usually due to electrical problems, while clicking sounds may be due to a failing or failed hard disk drive.
To minimise the incidences of hardware failure, you should clean out your system from time to time. This means, opening up the case and using compressed hair to blow the dust out of it. If it’s a laptop, then consider doing something similar. You may also want to consider downloading hardware monitor software. So you can keep track of the overall health of your system.
–AUTHOR INFO—
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.
