Skip the Repair Shop: 5 Computer Problem Solving Tips to Live By

On average, computer repair runs roughly $65 per hour. Before you drop that kind of money on getting your machine working the way you’d like, our advice is that you flex your computer problem solving muscles and try to DIY-fix issues that are simple.

That begs the question, “How should one go about solving their own computer issues?”

For more complicated issues, going through simple DIY problem solving steps isn’t likely to fix your computer. For basic problems though, the five tips our team is about to share will not only save you time going to a computer repair shop but the money you would have paid a technician.

Keep reading to learn our simple yet effective troubleshooting process.

1. Start With a Restart

You’d be shocked to find how many computer issues can be fixed by restarting your machine. Sometimes, when you leave your computer on for days at a time, background applications can start piling up which severely affects your computer’s memory capacity.

By giving your machine a fresh start in the morning, you allow it to clear its head and work much more effectively.

2. Make Sure You’re Plugged In

Is your slow laptop making you think that you have to hit the repair shop? Before you hop in your car, make sure your laptop is plugged into the wall when judging its performance issues.

Laptops are built to slow their performance when they’re unplugged so they can conserve battery. By being plugged in, you give your mobile machine license to show you what it can do at full power.

3. Clean Temporary Files

Your hard drive’s capacity can have an impact on your computer’s performance. To try and free some space up on your hard drive, start by clearing out your computer’s temporary files.

Temporary files can be cleaned out automatically by using free applications like  CCleaner. You can also manually clear temporary files by emptying your recycling bin and locating your computer’s “tmp” folder and deleting its contents.

If your hard drive is running out of space even after clearing temporary files, start cleaning out larger applications you don’t use.

4. Run a Virus Scan

No computer problem solving workflow is complete without running a virus scan. After all, malware is a common offender when it comes to slowing computer performance.

Most windows machines will come with “Windows Defender” pre-installed which can scan and remove viruses on your behalf. You can also buy more robust virus tools like Norton or McAfee to manage your virus scouting and removal needs.

5. Update Your Machine

If your computer has pending updates, allow them to take effect. It could be that your computer issues are a byproduct of an operating system issue that has been addressed by your OS’ manufacturer.

A word of caution, some updates can make computers work even worse. Try and read people’s reviews of updates, before applying them, if you’re nervous.

Computer Problem Solving Is an Important Skill

As we come to rely more on computers, everybody must have a functional level of computer problem solving skills in their back pocket. With them in tow, you’ll be able to bale yourself out of common snags you bump into rather than needing to drop hundreds of dollars every time you run into a snag.

If you’re hungry for more guidance on computers, our team has you covered. Check out more of the latest posts we have on our tech blog today!