Most of the time, problems can be fixed using simple troubleshooting techniques, like closing and reopening the program. It's important to try these simple solutions before resorting to more extreme measures. If the problem still isn't fixed, you can try other troubleshooting techniques.
Problem: Power button will not start computer
Solution 1: If your computer does not start, begin by checking the power cord to confirm that it is plugged securely into the back of the computer case and the power outlet.
Solution 2: If it is plugged into an outlet, make sure it is a working outlet. To check your outlet, you can plug in another electrical device, such as a lamp or cellphone, and see if it receives electricity properly.
Solution 3: If the computer is plugged into a surge protector, verify that it is turned on. You may have to reset the surge protector by turning it off and then back on. You can also plug a lamp or other device into the surge protector to verify that it is on.
Solution 4: If you are using a laptop, the battery may not be charged. Plug the AC adapter into the wall, then try to turn on the laptop. If it still doesn't start up, you may need to wait a few minutes and try again.
Problem: An application is running slowly
Solution 1: Close and reopen the application.
Solution 2: Update the application. To do this, click the Help menu and look for an option to check for Updates. If you don't find this option, another idea is to run an online search for application updates.
Problem: An application is frozen
Sometimes an application may become stuck, or frozen. When this happens, you won't be able to close the window or click any buttons within the application.
Solution 1: Force quit the application. On a PC, you can press (and hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete (the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. On a Mac, press and hold Command+Option+Esc. You can then select the unresponsive application and click End task (or Force Quit on a Mac) to close it.
Solution 2: Restart the computer. If you are unable to force quit an application, restarting your computer will close all open apps.
Problem: All programs on the computer run slowly
Solution 1:Run your virus scanner. You may have malware running in the background that is slowing things down.
Solution 2:Your computer may be running out of hard drive space. Try deleting any files or programs you don't need.
Solution 3: If you're using a PC, you can run Disk Defragmenter (called Optimize Drives in Windows 8). Doing so will make sure all pieces of each file or program are stored close together in your computer, so the computer will be able to access them more quickly. In most versions of Windows, the Disk Defragmenter can be found in the Start menu. In Windows 8, you can find it by typing defragment from the Start screen.
Problem: The computer is frozen
Sometimes your computer may become completely unresponsive, or frozen. When this happens, you won't be able to click anywhere on the screen, open or close applications, or access shut-down options.
Solution 1 (Windows only): Restart Windows Explorer. To do this, press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. Next, locate and select Windows Explorer from the Processes tab and click Restart. If you're using Windows 8, you may need to click More Details at the bottom of the window to see the Processes tab.
Solution 2: (Mac only): Restart Finder. To do this, press and hold Command+Option+Esc on your keyboard to open the Force Quit Applications dialog box. Next, locate and select Finder, then click Relaunch.
Solution 3: Press and hold the Power button. The Power button is usually located on the front or side of the computer, typically indicated by the power symbol power symbol. Press and hold the Power button for 5-10 seconds to force the computer to shut down.
Solution 4: If the computer still won't shut down, you can unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet. If you're using a laptop, you may be able to remove the battery to force the computer to turn off. Note: This solution should be your last resort after trying the other suggestions above.
Problem: The mouse or keyboard has stopped working
Solution 1: If you're using a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure it's correctly plugged into the computer.
Solution 2: If you're using a wireless mouse or keyboard, make sure it's turned on and that its batteries are charged.
Problem: The sound isn't working
Solution 1: Check the volume level. Click the audio button in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen to make sure the sound is turned on and that the volume is up.
Solution 2: Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video players will have their own separate audio controls. Make sure the sound is turned on and that the volume is turned up in the player.
Solution 3: Check the cables. Make sure external speakers are plugged in, turned on, and connected to the correct audio port or a USB port. If your computer has color-coded ports, the audio output port will usually be green.
Solution 4: Connect headphones to the computer, and see if you can hear sound from the headphones.
Problem: The screen is blank
Solution 1: The computer may be in Sleep mode. Click the mouse or press any key on the keyboard to wake it.
Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
Solution 3: Make sure the computer is plugged in and turned on.
Solution 4: If you're using a desktop, make sure the monitor cable is properly connected to the computer tower and the monitor
Solving more difficult problems
If you still haven't found a solution to your problem, you may need to ask someone else for help. Try searching the Web for the problem you're having because other users may have had similar problems. Also, if you have a friend or family member who knows a lot about computers, they may be able to help you.
Problem: Power button will not start computer
Solution 1: If your computer does not start, begin by checking the power cord to confirm that it is plugged securely into the back of the computer case and the power outlet.
Solution 2: If it is plugged into an outlet, make sure it is a working outlet. To check your outlet, you can plug in another electrical device, such as a lamp or cellphone, and see if it receives electricity properly.
Solution 3: If the computer is plugged into a surge protector, verify that it is turned on. You may have to reset the surge protector by turning it off and then back on. You can also plug a lamp or other device into the surge protector to verify that it is on.
Solution 4: If you are using a laptop, the battery may not be charged. Plug the AC adapter into the wall, then try to turn on the laptop. If it still doesn't start up, you may need to wait a few minutes and try again.
Problem: An application is running slowly
Solution 1: Close and reopen the application.
Solution 2: Update the application. To do this, click the Help menu and look for an option to check for Updates. If you don't find this option, another idea is to run an online search for application updates.
Problem: An application is frozen
Sometimes an application may become stuck, or frozen. When this happens, you won't be able to close the window or click any buttons within the application.
Solution 1: Force quit the application. On a PC, you can press (and hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete (the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. On a Mac, press and hold Command+Option+Esc. You can then select the unresponsive application and click End task (or Force Quit on a Mac) to close it.
Solution 2: Restart the computer. If you are unable to force quit an application, restarting your computer will close all open apps.
Problem: All programs on the computer run slowly
Solution 1:Run your virus scanner. You may have malware running in the background that is slowing things down.
Solution 2:Your computer may be running out of hard drive space. Try deleting any files or programs you don't need.
Solution 3: If you're using a PC, you can run Disk Defragmenter (called Optimize Drives in Windows 8). Doing so will make sure all pieces of each file or program are stored close together in your computer, so the computer will be able to access them more quickly. In most versions of Windows, the Disk Defragmenter can be found in the Start menu. In Windows 8, you can find it by typing defragment from the Start screen.
Problem: The computer is frozen
Sometimes your computer may become completely unresponsive, or frozen. When this happens, you won't be able to click anywhere on the screen, open or close applications, or access shut-down options.
Solution 1 (Windows only): Restart Windows Explorer. To do this, press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. Next, locate and select Windows Explorer from the Processes tab and click Restart. If you're using Windows 8, you may need to click More Details at the bottom of the window to see the Processes tab.
Solution 2: (Mac only): Restart Finder. To do this, press and hold Command+Option+Esc on your keyboard to open the Force Quit Applications dialog box. Next, locate and select Finder, then click Relaunch.
Solution 3: Press and hold the Power button. The Power button is usually located on the front or side of the computer, typically indicated by the power symbol power symbol. Press and hold the Power button for 5-10 seconds to force the computer to shut down.
Solution 4: If the computer still won't shut down, you can unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet. If you're using a laptop, you may be able to remove the battery to force the computer to turn off. Note: This solution should be your last resort after trying the other suggestions above.
Problem: The mouse or keyboard has stopped working
Solution 1: If you're using a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure it's correctly plugged into the computer.
Solution 2: If you're using a wireless mouse or keyboard, make sure it's turned on and that its batteries are charged.
Problem: The sound isn't working
Solution 1: Check the volume level. Click the audio button in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen to make sure the sound is turned on and that the volume is up.
Solution 2: Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video players will have their own separate audio controls. Make sure the sound is turned on and that the volume is turned up in the player.
Solution 3: Check the cables. Make sure external speakers are plugged in, turned on, and connected to the correct audio port or a USB port. If your computer has color-coded ports, the audio output port will usually be green.
Solution 4: Connect headphones to the computer, and see if you can hear sound from the headphones.
Problem: The screen is blank
Solution 1: The computer may be in Sleep mode. Click the mouse or press any key on the keyboard to wake it.
Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
Solution 3: Make sure the computer is plugged in and turned on.
Solution 4: If you're using a desktop, make sure the monitor cable is properly connected to the computer tower and the monitor
Solving more difficult problems
If you still haven't found a solution to your problem, you may need to ask someone else for help. Try searching the Web for the problem you're having because other users may have had similar problems. Also, if you have a friend or family member who knows a lot about computers, they may be able to help you.
