Are you becoming too friendly (or unfriendly) with your IT team? Do you start talking to the automated ticket system…or maybe just resort to screaming at your devices? Have you ever thrown or broken a company-issued computer in frustration!?
We love our technology, but sometimes it doesn’t work properly or just plain shuts down. I got together with our IT team to compile a list of the most common issues they come across and how to fix them – without resorting to calling, emailing, or screaming for IT. So take a few deep breaths and remember these steps when you run into your next catechstrophy.
You probably guessed the first step…
Restart.
As a general rule of thumb for any problem, the first thing you should try to do is restart the machine, device, printer, cell phone etc. It really does fix most problems. There’s nothing worse than summoning someone from IT just for them to restart your computer and fix the problem. I have finally learned after numerous ‘sorry’s’ and guilt-ridden thank you emails.
Now for the specifics
Email Issues
Experiencing a problem with email? First, check your spam folder. Try sending a few test messages to and from a different account to see if the messages go through. Also, check to see if your email client says its connected to your mail server. See below for more specific email troubleshooting resources:
Gmail
- I can’t access my account
- Find missing emails
- Gmail is slow, unresponsive, or not loading
- Receiving an error message
Outlook
- Outlook not responding, stopped working, freezes, or hangs
- Email messages will not send
- Repair Outlook data files (.pst and .ost)
Yahoo
- Scan my account for common problems
- Recover lost or deleted emails and IMs
- Problems signing into my account
- Find missing emails
Windows Mail
Misc.
General Computer Issues
Internet not working correctly
- Test multiple websites to see if they have the same issues
- Make sure you are connected to the WiFi
- If you use an Ethernet cable, make sure the network indicator lights where the cord is plugged in are flashing on your computer
- Further resources
– Why can’t I get online? Windows 10
– Can’t connect to the internet Mac
– Troubleshoot internet connectivity Dell
Trouble with the sound
- Sounds obvious…but check if your volume is turned off and not muted
- Try using headphones to see if the sound comes through them
Computer is frozen
- Shut off the computer
– 7 ways to shut down a Windows 10 device
– Shut down your Mac - Unplug all power cables – if you have a laptop, take out the battery
- Turn the computer back on
How to get on your IT’s good side
1. Never try to take apart your computer or take it to a local computer repair shop like Best Buy – that’s why you have an IT department.
2. When describing a problem, include as much information as possible in your first message to IT.
– Include screenshots
– Mention any previous, possibly related issues
– Let them know of any troubleshooting you did prior (restarted the device, followed directions from online forum, etc.)
3. Utilize the helpdesk system your IT department has instead of emailing an individual.
– This will eliminate a single point of failure and will ensure more than one person is aware of your issues
4. If there are help tips or an FAQ page with common issues provided by your IT department, make sure to read that first before contacting them.
Hopefully this helps in day-to-day troubleshooting and eliminates a few calls to your IT department. If you have any tips to add, feel free to drop us a line.
Not satisfied with your current IT department? We provide IT services for small to medium size businesses in the surrounding Baltimore, MD area. Give us a call at 1-877-399-8086 or send us an email.
