Fixing Common Windows Computer Problems

Your Windows computer is a key tool for your work. When it acts up, it can be frustrating! Here are some common issues and simple steps you can try before calling IT.

1. My Computer is Running Very Slow

If opening files or programs takes forever, or your computer just feels sluggish:

• Restart Your Computer: This is the oldest trick in the book, but it often works wonders!

  1. Click the Start button (usually the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner).

  2. Click the Power icon.

  3. Select Restart.

• Close Unused Programs: Having too many applications open at once can slow your computer down.

  • Look at the icons on your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen).

  • Right-click on any program you’re not using and choose Close window.

• Check Disk Space: If your computer’s storage is almost full, it can become slow.

  • Try deleting old files from your Downloads folder or desktop that you no longer need. Be careful not to delete important work files!

• Run a Virus Scan: Sometimes, hidden malware can cause slowdowns.

  • Open your company’s antivirus program and start a full scan.

2. My Computer Freezes or Crashes

When your computer stops responding (freezes) or programs shut down unexpectedly:

• Force a Restart (if frozen):

  1. Press and hold the physical power button on your computer until it turns off completely (this might take 5-10 seconds).

  2. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

• Check for Overheating: Make sure the air vents on your computer (especially if it’s a laptop) are not blocked by papers, books, or other items. Good airflow keeps it cool.

• Update Software: Outdated software can sometimes cause conflicts.

  • Ensure Windows and your main programs (like Microsoft Office) are set to update, or check for updates manually if you know how. Often, IT handles major updates.

3. I See a “Blue Screen” Error

A blue screen with white text (sometimes called the “Blue Screen of Death” or BSOD) means Windows has encountered a serious problem.

• Restart: Often, the computer will try to restart itself. If not, you might need to force a restart (see point 2).

• Note the Error: If you see an error message or code (e.g., “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”), try to write it down. This can be very helpful for IT support.

• Inform IT: Blue screen errors often indicate deeper issues (like hardware or driver problems) that IT will need to investigate.

4. I Can’t Print or the Printer Isn’t Working

If your documents aren’t printing:

• Check Power and Cables:

  • Is the printer turned on? Look for a power light.

  • Are all cables (power cable, and the cable connecting to the computer or network) securely plugged in at both ends?

• Check Ink or Toner: The printer might be out of ink or toner, or the cartridges might be low. Many printers display this on a small screen or via a computer notification.

• Restart the Printer:

  1. Turn the printer off using its power button.

  2. Wait about 30 seconds.

  3. Turn it back on.

• Restart Your Computer: Sometimes this helps re-establish the connection.

• Check the Print Queue:

  1. On your computer, look for a small printer icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen (near the clock). You might need to click an arrow to show hidden icons.

  2. Double-click the printer icon to open the print queue.

  3. If you see stuck documents, you can try right-clicking on them and choosing Cancel or Restart.

5. A Specific Program Isn’t Working Right (e.g., Word, Outlook)

If an application is crashing, freezing, or showing errors:

• Restart the Program: Close the program completely (don’t just minimize it) and then open it again.

• Restart Your Computer: (See point 1).

• Repair Microsoft Office (if it’s an Office program like Word, Excel, Outlook):

  1. In the Windows search bar (usually next to the Start button), type Control Panel and open it.

  2. Look for Programs, then click Programs and Features (or “Uninstall a program”).

  3. Find Microsoft Office in the list, select it, and click Change (or Modify) at the top of the list.

  4. You should see repair options. Try Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t work, you can try Online Repair (this takes longer and needs an internet connection).

6. I Can’t Connect to the Internet

If you can’t access websites or network drives:

• Check Physical Connections:

  • Wired: If you use a network cable, ensure it’s firmly plugged into your computer and the wall socket or docking station.

  • Wi-Fi: Check the Wi-Fi icon (looks like signal bars or a globe) in the bottom-right of your screen. Make sure you’re connected to your office Wi-Fi network. You might need to re-enter the password.

• Restart Your Computer.

• Restart Your Modem/Router (Important: Ask IT before doing this, especially in a shared office environment!):

  1. Unplug the power from your modem and router.

  2. Wait about 30 seconds.

  3. Plug the modem back in first. Wait for its lights to stabilize (usually 1-2 minutes).

  4. Plug the router back in. Wait for its lights to stabilize.

• Check Other Devices: Can your phone or a colleague’s computer connect to the internet? If not, the problem might be with the office network itself.

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Solving Browser and Spreadsheet Glitches

Web browsers (like Chrome or Edge) and spreadsheet programs (like Excel) are daily workhorses. Here’s how to fix some common hiccups.

Common Browser Issues

1. My Web Browser is Crashing, Freezing, or Very Slow

If your browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge) is acting up:

• Restart the Browser: Close all browser windows and tabs completely, then reopen it.

• Restart Your Computer: (See Page 1, Point 1). This can resolve system-level issues affecting the browser.

• Clear Cache and Cookies: Over time, stored website data can cause problems.

  • How-to (general steps for most browsers):

    1. Open your browser.

    2. Click the menu icon (often three dots or lines in the top-right corner).

    3. Look for History, then Clear browsing data (or it might be under Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data).

    4. Make sure to select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.

    5. For the time range, choose All time (or “Everything”).

    6. Click Clear data or Clear now.

• Update Your Browser: An outdated browser can lead to performance and security issues.

  • Browsers usually update automatically, but you can check: Go to the browser menu, find Help or About (e.g., “About Google Chrome”). It will often tell you if it’s up-to-date or start an update.

• Disable Extensions (Add-ons): Browser extensions can sometimes conflict with websites or the browser itself.

  • Go to the browser menu and look for Extensions or More tools > Extensions.

  • Try disabling extensions one by one (turn them off using the toggle switch) and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you’ve found the culprit. You can then remove it.

2. Web Pages Aren’t Loading Correctly or Show Errors

If websites look strange, don’t load fully, or give error messages:

• Check Your Internet Connection: (See Page 1, Point 6).

• Clear Cache and Cookies: (See above). This is a very common fix for display issues.

• Try a Different Browser: If a page doesn’t work in your usual browser, try opening it in another one (e.g., if you use Chrome, try Edge, or vice-versa). If it works in the other browser, the issue is likely with your primary browser’s settings or extensions.

3. Too Many Annoying Pop-up Windows

If you’re suddenly seeing lots of pop-up ads:

• Check Your Browser’s Pop-up Blocker:

  • Go to your browser’s settings (usually under Privacy and security or Site Settings) and make sure the pop-up blocker is turned on.

• Scan for Malware: Unwanted pop-ups can be a sign of adware or malware on your computer. Run a full scan with your antivirus software (see Page 1, Point 1).

• Review Browser Extensions: Remove any suspicious extensions you don’t recognize or didn’t install yourself (see instructions above for disabling extensions).

Common Spreadsheet Issues (e.g., Microsoft Excel)

1. Formulas Aren’t Working or Showing Errors (like #VALUE!, #REF!, #NAME?)

If your Excel formulas aren’t calculating as expected:

• Check for Typos: Carefully look at your formula. A misspelled function name (e.g., SUMM instead of SUM), incorrect cell reference (e.g., A10 instead of A1), or a missing parenthesis ( or comma , can cause errors.

• Verify Cell References:

  • #REF!: This often means the cells your formula was using have been deleted. You’ll need to update the formula to point to existing cells.

  • #VALUE!: This can happen if the formula expects a number but finds text in a cell it’s trying to calculate. Make sure cells used in calculations contain numbers.

  • #NAME?: This usually means Excel doesn’t recognize text in your formula, like a misspelled function name.

• Use Excel’s Error Checking: If you see a small green triangle in the corner of a cell with a formula, click the cell. An error button (an exclamation mark in a diamond) will appear. Click it for information about the error and possible solutions.

2. My Spreadsheet File is Very Large or Opens/Saves Slowly

Large, complex spreadsheets can become sluggish.

• Remove Unnecessary Formatting: Applying bold, colors, or borders to thousands of empty rows or columns can bloat file size. Select large unused areas and clear formatting.

• Delete Unused Worksheets: If your file has many sheets (tabs at the bottom) that you no longer need, right-click their tabs and choose Delete.

• Save in the Latest Format: If you’re working with an older .xls file, try saving it as a newer .xlsx file (File > Save As). This format is generally more efficient.

3. I Accidentally Deleted Data or Made a Mistake

• Use “Undo”: If you just made the mistake, immediately press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard (or click the Undo arrow button). You can often press it multiple times to undo several recent actions.

• Check Version History (if saved on OneDrive/SharePoint):

  1. If your file is saved in a cloud location like OneDrive or SharePoint, open the file.

  2. Go to File > Info.

  3. Look for Version History. You can often open and restore previous versions of the file from here.

• Save Regular Backups: For very important spreadsheets, get in the habit of occasionally saving a copy with a new name (e.g., “SalesReport_May30_Backup.xlsx”) before making major changes.

Remember: If you’ve tried these steps and are still having trouble, or if you’re ever unsure about performing a step, it’s always best to contact your IT support department for assistance. They are there to help!