While working, catching up on personal online errands, or using tech for entertainment, you can run into tech issues. Considering how much of your work, school, and life are online right now, the experience can be frustrating. Naturally, you will need to fix the issue quickly, but should you use your own capabilities or hire a professional?
DIY solutions can help save money and time, but they can also be more trouble than they’re worth and lead to damage. You will need to determine the difference between what you can fix by yourself and when you need professional help.
Fixes You Can Try Yourself
Before you call a professional, there are a few things you can try. The following fixes can help you correct the immediate issue and potentially stop future issues.
- Turn It Off and Back On Again
This advice is a clichè, but that’s because it works. Shutting down your computer or device and turning it back on can solve most simple issues. Use the shutdown button or restart function; if that is not available, you can unplug and plug it back in again.
This simple fix works because, as you use your computer, multiple programs are running simultaneously. Each program has smaller hidden processes that support the program. Sometimes, even after you shut down a program, the hidden processes are still running in the background. The hidden processes end up taking up RAM, which can eventually slow your computer down, prevent other programs from opening, disrupt other functions, and cause a range of other issues. Shutting your computer down forces all these hidden processes and programs to shut down, letting your computer restart with a clean slate.
What makes your computer function is moving parts, called hardware. Your computer hardware can start to heat up after extended use. Overheating is bad for your computer and can force it to slow down or unpredictably shut down. If you carry out the shutdown yourself, you give the hardware the chance to cool down before the issue becomes critical and damage occurs.
- Free Up Some Storage
Computers often run slow because they don’t have enough available memory. You can create storage space by moving old files you don’t regularly need into the cloud or external hard drive. This includes files from completed work and school projects. Deleting or moving photos and videos is also a good idea, as these files tend to take up a lot of space.
- Check For Updates
Once you free up some storage, you may find you need to update your device’s operating system or install an update of the app you were using. You can usually check this in “Settings,” but check with your manufacturer or the app manufacturer for specifics.
Updates are essential for two main reasons: security updates and performance enhancements. Updates come with security patches that can protect your system from glitches or malware, which are the primary causes of slow and malfunctioning computers. The software provider also releases updates that can use fewer resources, add features, and other performance enhancements to your computer or app.
When It’s Time for Professional Help
If you can’t solve the issue yourself, it may be time to consider professional help. In some cases, you can use your computer’s warranty. In others, it’s best to hire a third-party service.
- You’re Going to Void Your Warranty
Warranties vary from company to company, but most are defunct if you try to fix your computer yourself. Don’t try and cheat the system; companies have ways to tell if you’ve physically taken apart a device, tampered with certain parts of the software, and so on.
Some warranties are also voided if the customer uses a professional tech service outside of the device’s manufacturer. Keep this in mind when hiring professional tech help.
- You Want a Speedy Solution
Trying to learn how to become a tech professional from YouTube tutorials can be overwhelming; it can take a while for someone without experience to figure out the problem, let alone how to fix it. Naturally, you may experience anxiety over what can go wrong if you make a mistake.
All of that worrying can cause unnecessary stress. Often,a local professional computer technician will know what to do right away. They have the experience, skills, and tools to provide you with a prompt solution.
Go Solo Or Pro
When you run into computer issues, you need your device to be back online as quickly as possible. First, use the tips above to see if you can solve the issue yourself and prevent further interruptions. If those steps don’t solve the problem, you need outside help. Check your warranty to see if the manufacturer can provide repairs for you, and consider the help of professional third-party tech service.