Taking the time to know the basics of common IT problems and solutions can save you time and money. But if problems persist that are outside the scope of your wheelhouse, it may be time to consider managed IT services.
Some IT problems require an expert, like the experienced technicians at Business World in Little Rock. But doing some simple troubleshooting on your own could fix the problem and help you avoid costly downtime. In many cases, the first thing tech support is going to do is ask you about are these common IT problems and solutions.
1. Frozen Screen or Mouse
One of the fastest, easiest ways to clear a problem is to reboot your system. Restarting your computer allows all of the processes to get a fresh start and clears many of the errors that could be causing you problems.
2. Can’t Connect to the Internet
If your browser is hung up on a specific page or task or you keep getting a failed connection message, then rebooting your modem or server may help you reconnect. Unplug the equipment, wait about a minute, then plug it back in; in many cases, your connection will be restored. If you are on a larger business network, this will interrupt everyone’s connection, so be sure to ask your co-workers if they are experiencing issues as well before you pull the plug.
3. Slow Downloads
If you are able to access the Internet, but downloads are sluggish or seem to take forever, double check to make sure you are not already downloading a large file. If you are not uploading or downloading anything, then a speed test can help determine your issue. Speedtest.net is free and allows you to test your speed and discover if you have a problem. Rebooting the computer or modem may be enough to clear your issue.
4. Computer Will Not Restart
If you know that you need to restart, but pushing the power button or attempting to shut down a Windows computer or workstation by selecting restart is not working, you may need to pull the plug. Unplug a desktop or workstation and wait a minute, then plug it back in; for a laptop, remove the battery and then replace and restart. You may lose what you were working on but your computer will be working again.
5. Sluggish Processing
If your computer has suddenly slowed down and you have already tried rebooting and checked your download speed, you may need to take a look at your storage. If you are using most of your available storage space for files, transferring your network to the cloud services or to an external hard drive can help. Your equipment needs available space to work efficiently, so a maxed out hard drive will cause issues.
6. Can’t Access Specific Sites
If you are able to get online, but can only access some sites, your firewall settings may be to blame. For sites you can access at home but not at work, check to be sure that your network admin has not disallowed the address you wish to visit. Some workplaces ban Facebook, Twitter, entertainment, and gaming sites to prevent loss of time at work.
7. Printer Is Not Printing
If you try to print and nothing happens, you may have a connection problem with your printer. Make sure your printer is on and that you can see it on your network. You also need to choose the correct target printer in the printing screen. If you use one printer at home and another at the office, you could simply be trying to print from the wrong piece of equipment. If you are using the correct printer and it is powered up and ready, check the print queue to make sure that there are no other documents ahead of yours. You could simply be waiting in line.
8. New Programs Not Working
If you have recently installed a program but it won’t work, check for updates online to make sure you have the latest version. You should also double check to make sure the software you are attempting to install is compatible with your operating system and your hardware. Older computers may have difficulty running new software.
If you would like to learn more about how your business can benefit from IT management services, contact the experts at Business World today at 888-324-6760 to set up a free consultation. Partnering with Business World provides your company with an added level of support and expertise so you can focus on growing your business.
