In this day and age, most of us have run into computer issues. Due to the complexity of computers, even a smaller problem may have a large root cause that, if not addressed, could lead to greater issues down the road.
Since computers are sensitive pieces of equipment, it is usually best to consult a professional about any uncommon or common problems that you may be facing so as to not unintentionally make the problem worse.
Fortunately, the most common computer problems and solutions are easy to identify and fix.
The top 10 common problems you may face are:
1. Slow Internet
Slow internet is one of the more annoying computer issues that you can run into. More often than not, it is not your computer’s fault; instead, it may simply be a problem with the modem, or your internet provider may be experiencing some technical difficulties.
Thankfully, there are some easy and quick solutions you can try to bring your Internet “back up to speed.”
Solutions
- Restart Your Modem and Router—As long as the internet service isn’t down in your area, then a quick restart of your modem and router will usually solve the issue of slow internet.
- Close Background Programs or Downloads—If you have any programs or downloads running in the background then they could be using up your internet and therefore slowing it down. Even if they are not using the internet, they could simply be slowing your overall computer performance which will result in the appearance of slow internet speeds.
- Restart Your Computer—It is also possible that your computer is at fault and is not properly connecting to the internet. Restarting your computer will usually solve this issue.
- Amplify Your WiFi Signal—Slow internet speeds can be a sign of a weak signal. You can try getting close to the router or plug in an ethernet cable to see if that solves your problem. If so, then you can ask your WiFi provider to increase your coverage or get a WiFi extender.
2. Computer Won’t Turn On
Unfortunately, a computer failing to start is one of the most common problems to run into and there are a lot of possible reasons why your computer won’t turn on.
The solutions to this problem can be very simple, but you may also find yourself needing to take it to a professional to fix the problem.
Solutions
- Let It Thaw—Believe it or not, computers do get cold. So, if your computer is failing to start and was left in an especially cold space, then it may just need time to “thaw” before it will turn back on.
- Check the Power Cord—It’s very possible that your computer is dead and simply needs power. So, you’ll want to inspect your power cord to ensure that it isn’t just a loose connection.
- Inspect the Display—Sometimes, your computer isn’t at fault, but the display is. So, you’ll want to listen carefully for any fan or operating noises that can confirm that your computer is working. If it is, then you’ll want to have the screen looked at by a professional.
- Reinstall the Computer System—Another possible problem is that your computer’s operating systems are damaged and need to be “replaced.” So, you’ll need to reinstall the computer’s systems.
3. Noisy Hard Drive
If you are hearing unfamiliar grinding sounds or loud clicking sounds, then your computer’s hard drive may be failing.
Your hard drive is what stores all your data; so, it is important to not ignore any potential problems it may be having as it could result in the loss of all your data.
Solutions
- Inspect the Hard Drive—You’ll want to first inspect your hard drive for any problems and ensure that the unfamiliar sound is actually coming from the hard drive. You can unplug the power and data cables from the drive and then restart your computer. If you are not hearing the noise, then the problem is with your hard drive, and it needs to be fixed or replaced.
- Run a Diagnostic Test—Most computers will come with pre-installed software that will allow you to run a diagnostic test on your hard drive. This test can help identify any problems with the hard drive and let you know how to resolve them.
4. Blue Screen of Death
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The Blue Screen of Death is never a good sign and happens after a serious computer error crashes the computer. It most often occurs after a recent major update or just randomly while the computer is in use.
Solutions
- Check for Viruses—It is very possible that a virus infected your computer and was the result of the system crash. So, you’ll want to use a cybersecurity program to scan for viruses and block any potential threats.
- Update Hardware Drivers—Sometimes, your hardware drivers are out of date which can lead to a serious computer error. So, you can try updating your drivers.
- Check Storage Space—Major updates may end up needing more storage space than you have. As a result, the update is not able to finish, which leaves your systems “half-baked.” So, if you find that your storage is full, then you’ll want to open up more space so that the update can finish.
- Run a Diagnostic Test—Another common problem is due to faulty or failing hardware. A diagnostic test can help identify any such problems so that you can fix or replace the problematic hardware.
5. System Automatically Reboots
If you find that your computer randomly restarts after waking from sleep mode or while in use, then it could be the result of faulty drivers, malware, broken hardware, and more.
Solutions
- Update Drivers—If your hardware drivers are out of date, then they could cause an automatic restart. So, it is best to always keep them up to date.
- Check for Malware—Malware is another possible culprit and so you’ll want to use a cybersecurity program to scan for and block any malicious software that may have infected your computer.
- Run a Diagnostic Test—It is very possible that faulty hardware is causing your computer to randomly restart after waking up from sleep mode. So, you can run a diagnostic test to identify such hardware and then fix or replace it.
- Delete Corrupted Registry Files—Another possibility is that your computer is harboring some corrupted registry files. The best way to find and delete such a file is by using a program that will search your registry and fix or delete any problems it finds.
6. Computer Freezes
It can be very annoying to run into problems with your computer freezing up while in use during even the simplest of tasks. Usually, this is a sign of old age, but there are some other reasons why your computer may be freezing up.
Solutions
- Check for Malware—Your computer may be freezing due to its processors being overloaded. If you are not running any intensive programs, then it is possible that there is malware on your computer that needs a lot of power to run. So, as previously mentioned, you can run a cybersecurity program to check for and block any malware.
- Restart Your Computer—Another possibility is that something went wrong when your computer started up. In that case, a simple restart will usually solve the problem.
7. Slow PC
If you find that your computer is slower than usual, then it is most likely because a program is using up too much power.
Solutions
- Close Any Unnecessary Programs—Close down any background or resource-hungry programs.
- Check for Malware—Scan for any malware as it is possible that a malicious program is secretly using up your computer’s resources.
8. Printer Connection Issue
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Printers can be a pain when they don’t or no longer connect to your computer. But, there are some simple solutions to this problem.
Solutions
- Remove and Re-Connect the Printer—Sometimes, your computer will stop recognizing the printer and you will need to remove the printer program or Bluetooth connection from your computer and re-install or re-connect the printer to your computer.
- Refresh Wireless Connection—Another simple fix is by refreshing the wireless connection by simply turning your computer’s wireless capabilities on and off.
9. Slow Startup
Slow startups are the result of unnecessary programs booting up at the same time as your computer which only prolongs the whole start-up process.
Solution
- Disable Bloatware—Go to your computer’s task manager and click on “Startup.” There, you can see a list of programs and their impact during the startup process. Then, you can simply disable all the unnecessary programs.
10. Faulty PC Fan
If your computer is unusually hot and the fan is not turning on, then it is usually due to a faulty sensor or a broken fan.
Solutions
- Run a Diagnostic—A diagnostic test can help determine if there are any faulty sensors and how to fix or replace them.
- Replace the Fan—If you find that the fan is broken, then it is best to just replace the whole thing instead of trying to fix individual parts.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there are plenty of solutions to common computer problems. While it is possible to fix some of these problems yourself, it is usually best to play it safe and have a professional look over it to ensure that there are no other underlying issues.
If you are experiencing computer issues, then you can contact a professional at QuckFix to solve any computer problems.
