Windows 10/11 Troubleshooting
Computer Running Slow
- Restart your computer - This fixes many issues
- Close unnecessary programs - Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, close programs you're not using
- Check for Windows updates - Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
- Free up disk space - Delete temporary files: Press Windows+R, type "temp", delete old files
- Run Disk Cleanup - Search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu
- Check for malware - Run Windows Defender scan (Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security)
Internet Connection Issues
- Check your Wi-Fi/Ethernet - Make sure cables are connected or Wi-Fi is on
- Restart your router - Unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in
- Restart your computer
- Check other devices - See if internet works on your phone or tablet
- Reset network adapter - Right-click Wi-Fi icon → Troubleshoot problems
- Update network drivers - Go to Device Manager → Network adapters → Update driver
Program Won't Open
- Restart your computer
- Try right-clicking and "Run as Administrator"
- Check if program needs updates - Open the program's settings/help menu
- Uninstall and reinstall the program - Settings → Apps → Find program → Uninstall, then reinstall
- Check Windows compatibility - Some old programs may not work on Windows 11
Blue Screen or Computer Crashes
- Restart your computer - Often fixes temporary issues
- Check for Windows updates - Settings → Update & Security
- Update drivers - Go to Device Manager, right-click devices → Update driver
- Check for overheating - Make sure computer vents aren't blocked
- Run System File Checker - Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type: sfc /scannow
- Check RAM - If crashes continue, may need professional help
Printer Won't Print
- Check printer power - Make sure it's turned on
- Check printer connection - USB cable or Wi-Fi connection (Blue Light)
- Check for paper and ink - Low ink or no paper will prevent printing
- Restart printer - Turn off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on
- Check printer queue - Settings → Devices → Printers → Open queue, clear stuck jobs
- Reinstall printer - Remove printer in Settings → Devices, then add it again
Sound/Audio Not Working
- Check volume - Make sure volume isn't muted (check speaker icon in taskbar)
- Check audio device - Right-click speaker icon → Open Sound settings → Check output device
- Unplug and replug headphones/speakers
- Restart audio service - Right-click speaker icon → Troubleshoot sound problems
- Update audio drivers - Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → Update driver
- Check app-specific volume - Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer
Can't Connect to Wi-Fi
- Turn Wi-Fi off and on - Click Wi-Fi icon in taskbar → Toggle off/on
- Forget and reconnect - Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → Forget, then reconnect
- Check Wi-Fi password - Make sure you're entering the correct password
- Move closer to router - Weak signal can cause connection issues
- Restart router - Unplug for 30 seconds
- Update network drivers - Device Manager → Network adapters → Update driver
ChromeOS Troubleshooting
Chromebook Running Slow
- Restart your Chromebook - Click the time in the bottom right → Power → Restart
- Close unnecessary tabs - Too many open tabs can slow down your Chromebook
- Check for updates - Click the time → Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates
- Clear browsing data - Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete → Clear browsing data
- Close unused apps - Press the Overview key (square icon) → Close apps you're not using
- Powerwash (Factory Reset) - Settings → Advanced → Reset settings → Powerwash (only if nothing else works - this will delete all your data)
Wi-Fi Connection Issues
- Check Wi-Fi is on - Click the time → Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled
- Forget and reconnect to network - Click the time → Wi-Fi → Click network name → Forget → Reconnect
- Restart your Chromebook
- Restart your router - Unplug router for 30 seconds, then plug back in
- Move closer to router - Weak signal can cause connection issues
- Check network password - Make sure you're entering the correct Wi-Fi password
Apps or Websites Not Loading
- Refresh the page - Press F5 or click the refresh button
- Clear browser cache - Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete → Clear browsing data
- Restart your Chromebook
- Check internet connection - Make sure Wi-Fi is connected
- Try a different browser - If using Chrome, try opening in an incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N)
- Update ChromeOS - Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates
Touchpad Not Working
- Restart your Chromebook
- Check touchpad settings - Settings → Device → Touchpad → Make sure it's enabled
- Clean the touchpad - Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth
- Disable and re-enable touchpad - Settings → Device → Touchpad → Toggle off and on
- Check for physical damage - Look for visible damage to the touchpad
- Use keyboard shortcuts - Press Alt+Shift+M to toggle touchpad on/off
Keyboard Not Working
- Restart your Chromebook
- Check for stuck keys - Look for keys that might be stuck down
- Clean the keyboard - Turn off device, gently clean with compressed air or soft brush
- Check keyboard settings - Settings → Device → Keyboard → Check settings
- Try on-screen keyboard - Settings → Accessibility → Enable on-screen keyboard as temporary solution
- Check for updates - Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates
Sound/Audio Not Working
- Check volume - Click the time → Make sure volume isn't muted (check speaker icon)
- Adjust volume buttons - Use the volume up/down keys on your keyboard
- Check audio output - Click the time → Audio → Make sure correct output is selected
- Unplug headphones - If headphones are plugged in, audio goes to headphones
- Restart your Chromebook
- Check app volume - Some apps have their own volume controls
Screen Issues (Black Screen, Flickering)
- Adjust brightness - Use brightness keys on keyboard or click time → Brightness slider
- Restart your Chromebook - Hold power button for 10 seconds, then turn back on
- Check power connection - Make sure Chromebook is properly charged or plugged in
- Close lid and reopen - Sometimes this resets the display
- Hard reset - Turn off Chromebook, hold Refresh key + Power button for 10 seconds
- Check for physical damage - Look for cracks or damage to the screen
Can't Sign In or Forgot Password
- Check your Google account password - Try signing in at google.com to verify password
- Check Caps Lock - Make sure Caps Lock isn't on
- Use a different keyboard - If external keyboard is connected, try typing on built-in keyboard
- Check internet connection - You need internet to sign in to Chromebook
- Reset Google password - Go to google.com/accounts/recovery on another device
- Contact Google support - If you can't recover your account, contact Google support
iOS Troubleshooting
iPhone/iPad Running Slow
- Restart your device - Hold power button, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on
- Close background apps - Swipe up from bottom, swipe apps away
- Check for iOS updates - Settings → General → Software Update
- Free up storage space - Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Delete unused apps/photos
- Clear Safari cache - Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
- Restart (Force Restart) - For iPhone X and Newer: Press volume up, volume down, then hold side button until Apple logo appears
Wi-Fi or Cellular Not Working
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off - Settings → Airplane Mode (toggle)
- Forget Wi-Fi network - Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap (i) next to network → Forget This Network, then reconnect
- Restart your device
- Restart router - Unplug router for 30 seconds
- Check cellular data - Settings → Cellular → Make sure Cellular Data is on
- Reset network settings - Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings
App Keeps Crashing
- Close and reopen the app - Swipe up and swipe the app away, then reopen
- Restart your device
- Update the app - App Store → Tap your profile → Update the app
- Update iOS - Settings → General → Software Update
- Delete and reinstall the app - Long press app icon → Remove App → Delete App, then reinstall from App Store
- Check app permissions - Settings → [App Name] → Check if app has necessary permissions
Battery Draining Too Fast
- Check battery health - Settings → Battery → Battery Health
- Close background apps - Swipe up from bottom, swipe apps away
- Reduce screen brightness - Settings → Display & Brightness
- Turn off location services for unused apps - Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
- Turn off Background App Refresh - Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Off
- Enable Low Power Mode - Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
- Check what's using battery - Settings → Battery → See which apps use the most
Camera Not Working
- Close and reopen Camera app
- Restart your device
- Check storage space - Settings → General → iPhone Storage (low storage can prevent camera use)
- Clean camera lens - Wipe with soft cloth
- Check camera permissions - Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → Make sure apps have permission
- Update iOS - Settings → General → Software Update
Can't Send or Receive Messages
- Check internet connection - Wi-Fi or cellular data must be on
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off - Settings → Airplane Mode
- Restart Messages app - Swipe up, close Messages, reopen
- Check iMessage settings - Settings → Messages → Make sure iMessage is on
- Check phone number/email - Settings → Messages → Send & Receive → Verify correct number/email
- Restart your device
- Sign out and back into iMessage - Settings → Messages → Toggle iMessage off, wait, toggle back on
Touch Screen Not Responding
- Clean the screen - Wipe with soft, slightly damp cloth
- Remove screen protector - If you have one, it might be interfering
- Restart your device
- Force restart - iPhone X and Newer: Volume up, volume down, hold side button
- Check for iOS updates - Settings → General → Software Update
- If still not working - May need professional repair or Apple support
Can't Hear Phone Calls
- Check volume buttons - Press volume up during a call
- Remove case or screen protector - May be blocking speaker
- Check for debris - Clean speaker grille with soft brush
- Try speakerphone - Tap speaker icon during call
- Try headphones - Connect headphones to test if it's the speaker
- Restart your device
- Check call settings - Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Check volume settings
Still Need Help?
If you've tried the troubleshooting steps above and still can't fix your issue, please contact me for additional assistance by filling out the form linked below.