TROUBLESHOOTING-1

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.
• Solution 3: If the computer is plugged in to 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's working correctly.
• 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.

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.

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. 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. Press and hold the Power button for 5 to 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.

 

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.

 

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 to find out if you can hear sound through the headphones.

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. As an easy starting point, we'd recommend searching the Web. It's possible that other users have had similar problems, and solutions to these problems are often posted online. Also, if you have a friend or family member who knows a lot about computers, they may be able to help you.
Keep in mind that most computer problems have simple solutions, although it may take some time to find them. For difficult problems, a more drastic solution may be required, like reformatting your hard drive or reinstalling your operating system. If you think you might need a solution like this, we recommend consulting a professional first. If you're not a computer expert, it's possible that attempting these solutions could make the situation worse.

1. Did you delete a file by accident? Right click your recycle-bin, select “restore". 

2. Having difficulty exiting a program? Hold the Alt button and press the F4 button.

3. Is your keyboard or mouse not working? Try unplugging and plugging them back in. If that doesn’t work – reboot your computer.

4. Is your computer's Start button gone? Use the “windows” button on your keyboard.

5. Is there no sound on your computer? First, check that windows is not on mute, and that the volume is all the way up. Then, check if your speakers/headphones are plugged in. If all else fails, try rebooting.

6. Is a menu command grayed out? Push the “Esc” key 3 times. (This won't always work, as some commands are disabled during certain processes).

7. Have you forgotten today's date? Hover the mouse over the clock at the bottom right of the screen.

8. Missing your Taskbar? Move the mouse pointer all the way down until you find it, then drag it up.

9. Taskbar moved? Simply drag it down.

10. Desktop icons are a mess? Right click and select “Arrange Icons”.

11. The computer is stuck? Reboot it.

12. Program frozen with a notification window? Close the notification. It will either unfreeze the program, or close it.

13. Program frozen with no notifications? Right click its name on the taskbar and close it.

14. Accidentally erased some text or even a file? Click Ctrl + Z to go back in time and cancel your last action, whatever it was.

15. A program closed down? Check if it’s still in the taskbar – if not, start it up again.

16. Your browser is all over the screen and you can’t find anything? Press F11, this takes it into, and out of, full screen mode.

17. The text on the internet browser is too small? Hold Ctrl and press “+” (Use “-“ to make it smaller again).

18. Double-click isn’t working? Try pressing “Enter”

19. LETTERS ALL COME OUT IN CAPITALS? Press the “Caps Lock” key. 

20. Is the text you’re typing going over the previous text? Press the “Insert” key.

22. Your document is set on “read only”? Choose the “Save As” option and rename it.