6 Common Computer Issues (and How to Fix Them)

 

Regardless of the industry you work in, computers play a vital role in the productivity of your organization. And for the most part, new software and hardware advancements released over the years have made you more efficient than ever before.

But if you’re regularly using computers in your day-to-day processes, you’ll eventually run into some technical problems that need your attention. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to remedy the issues and carry on with your workday.

Here are six common computer issues and how you can fix them.

Slow Performance

You may start to notice slower performance in applications you use every day. That’s likely a problem stemming from your operating system. Typically, this is a result of fragmentation on your C drive (C:). It’s not a big problem – easily resolved by doing some basic software cleanup. Run a quick system check from your Task Manager to see which applications are taking up the most CPU and RAM resources.

Remove any unnecessary programs or processes running in the background that you don’t use. In the unlikely event that there are more complicated hardware issues to contend with, operating systems now come pre-programmed with a suite of free diagnostic and troubleshooting tests you can run to narrow down the problems.

Loud Noises From Computer

You may begin to hear loud clicking or grinding noises from your computer. If so, it’s almost certain that you are dealing with some type of hardware failure. There is a range of possible issues when you hear loud noises, but it will likely stem from the rotary functions of your cooling fans or hard drive(s).

If you open the computer case and notice that the cooling fans are the culprits for the noise, it’s probably time to change them out. Cooling fans themselves are relatively inexpensive and easy to change with a screwdriver. CPU fans, power supplies, and graphics cards are other possible areas you should inspect. Keep in mind that these replacements can be a bit more expensive.

Steve Wozniak

Computer Constantly Freezes

Computers are complex machines that manage multiple processes without you even seeing them. This complexity can sometimes cause your computer to freeze or not respond to your actions. Nine out of 10 times you can remedy this simply by rebooting your system. In the event that you are experiencing constant freezes, it could be a sign of insufficient system memory, registry errors, corrupted files, or even spyware. You should check each of these potential issues one by one until the problem is rectified.

Running system checks in the background will tell you if you don’t have sufficient memory in your system for the applications you use. Antivirus and malware programs can run a more thorough check. They can see if your system’s resources are being impacted by viral infections and registry errors. They’ll help you correct them, too.

Internet Browsing Is Slow or Unresponsive

If your internet is slow or unresponsive, it could be a combination of software and hardware issues. But if you’ve already checked that your WiFi or LAN network connection is active and strong, the lag could result from conflicts in the IP address registration. That can be fixed by rebooting your modem or router. If it still doesn’t fix the issue, the problem could be the browser you are using.

Over time, browser performance can bog down from a large browsing history and cache. There may also be failing browser extensions that slow down performance. Make a practice of clearing your internet search history and cache regularly to keep your browser running efficiently. If all else fails, you can try reinstalling your browser or using a different one altogether to see if you experience the same issues.

You’re Seeing a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)

There is nothing scarier than working on an important document only to be greeted by the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). This STOP error is almost certainly hardware-related and unfortunately, could signal significant system failures. However, it’s not necessarily hopeless. In fact, a simple reboot could be all you need to fix the issue.

In most cases, however, further diagnostics are necessary to find the cause of the issue. If the blue screen appears, you’ll see a line of white text that identifies the problem your computer is having. You can easily look these codes up online to narrow down the issue and work toward a solution or seek assistance.

Emo Philips

Screen Display Is Truncated or Has Low Resolution

If you restart your computer and see that the resolution has changed or desktop icons and texts are truncated, it’s usually related to your graphics card. Many times, you simply need to update your graphics drivers. If you know the brand or model of your card, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest software for the device.

If taking this step still doesn’t fix the issue, there could be larger issues with your hardware. In rare cases, you may need to replace the graphics card altogether to solve the issue. However, in most cases, the issue is software-related.

Remember that experiencing computer issues is not the end of the world. It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend a ton of money on system upgrades. As issues arise, take the time to better understand the cause of problems and work through possible fixes. If all else fails, there are plenty of IT support services available that can handle a more thorough analysis of your systems and offer workable solutions.