Troubleshooting PC problems never seem to take you anywhere? You start with one PC problem and end up with another? Well, not anymore….

Your PC demands your attention once in a while, when it runs into trouble. But that doesn’t mean that you immediately need to call a tech support expert. With having years of experience and serving millions of customers, iYogi brings together easy fixes to the most common PC problems that you can do-Yourself!

Restarting works 80% of times

Yes, this is the most obvious thing to do and yet it works most of the times. So, before you do anything else, restart your computer. In most cases, your computer just behaves stubbornly once in a while. Giving a restart gets rid of the annoyance and the problem is fixed.

1. My computer is too slow

The first thing to do in this situation is to check if it is your PC that is the real problem. Videos seem to be in buffer forever and websites just take ages to come alive…but this may not be because of your PC. It is quite possible that it is a broadband connection issue. You can check your internet speed from speedtest.net

However, if you decide it is your PC that is causing the slow computer problem, then the first thing to check is whether there is adequate free space on the hard drive. If your hard drive has run out of space, then performance will suffer.

Follow these steps to speed up your slow computer.

1. Clear out some space in your C: drive.
2. Go to Microsoft System Configuration tool by pressing Windows-R, type msconfig and press Enter.
3. Check the StartUp item and Manufacturer columns. Avoid disturbing any Microsoft programs. However, items like AdobeAAMUpdater, Google Update, Pando Media Booster, Spotify, and Steam Client Bootstrapper are ok to kill. If you are unsure about any program, don’t disable it.
4. Windows System Configuration Tool allows you to disable programs and services that automatically start when you start your PC. Once you have made the changes, click OK and restart your computer.

This should improve the speed of your computer.

2. Downloads take forever

As mentioned above, Speedtest.net is an extremely easy way to check your internet speed. Ideally, your internet speed should at least be 50% of your internet service provider’s promised speed, with a ping under 100 milliseconds. If there is no problem in this part, then here is what you need to do further:

1. Check if you are unknowingly downloading or uploading anything. Different torrent download programs run in the background and minimize into the system tray instead of the taskbar.
2. Check your network hardware: Reset your router and modem and this can solve your connection problems. Most routers and modems have reset buttons, but even if you pull the power cable for a second or two can do the trick.

However, don’t do it for too long or the hardware may reset to factory settings.

3. My machine keeps restarting

Hardware problems can get tricky. The first thing that you need to confirm is that you are not getting the latest Windows updates that can automatically restart your computer during installation. You also need to work on updating all your critical system drivers like graphics card, motherboard and network card. So, sometimes the problem can be fixed by simply updating your video card.

Sometimes, overheating also makes computer restart. Modern computers have built in safeguards that make the system shut down if a component is overheating. So if you are running resource intensive programs or video games, restarting can be common.

4. Pop-up ads appear on my desktop

If you don’t have a web browser running and you are still getting pop-ups on your desktop, then it is very much possible that you have installed an adware –a program that displays unwanted ads and pop ups.

The first thing that you have to do is run a full system scan with a good and strong antivirus software. If the software doesn’t find and remove the adware, turn to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free. It is a great utility tool to remove all types of malware. Make sure you disable your standard antivirus before running it. Running more than one antivirus at the same time can cause problems.

If everything else fails, a complete system reinstall will fix the problem. Back up all your personal files, before you go ahead with this.

5. Google looks odd

Browser hijackers are one of the worst kind of malware out there. These programs take over your browser and sneakily redirect your Google searches and other queries to fake pages that are meant to steal your personal information or even further infect your computer.

Once more, the first thing that you need to do is to run a real time antivirus utility. If your browser has been hijacked, uninstall the browser and use your antivirus program along with Malwarebytes to remove the malware.

6. My Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting

This is again a computer problem that really tests our patience. Disturbing Wi-Fi connections can be confusing. Is your computer causing the problem, or is it your router or is it your ISP. Here are few things that can help.

1. Check Windows Diagnostics. It will help you find the real problem.
2. Check if your computer is within the range of your Wi Fi router. Sometimes, weak signals just make the connections weak.
3. Check your PC wireless card has the latest drivers.
4. Right click the Wi Fi icon in the taskbar and then select troubleshoot problems.

7. My printer won’t print

So, we take it that your printer drivers are up to date and it also has adequate paper and ink or toner to do the print jobs. So, here is what you need to do next.

1. Try to turn your printer off and on
2. Unplug the printer and plug it back in.
3. Check for the printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and then double clicking it. This will help you get the latest status of your printer.
4. Just if you have the message ‘Use Printer Offline’ is checked. Sometimes, giving a print command when the printer is turned off, can cause Windows to set your printer to work offline. Uncheck and try and the problem should be gone.

8. I can’t open email attachments

If you are facing the problem that your attachment is not opening, then it is highly possible that you don’t have the required software to view the file. So, if you don’t have Adobe Reader or another PDF compatible program, then you will not be able to open those bank statements etc. if you are looking at some other file format, then just check the three letters after the period in the filename. It should tell you the file type. If the file attachment lacks a file extension, then just adding it back should fix things.

When to call iYogi

Connect with iYogi Tech Experts when you are not comfortable addressing any computer problem yourself. If you are in doubt at any point, some step is not working out as mentioned, stop and let us help you.

Even though these common computer problems are simple to fix, sometimes they get mixed with some other problems and then things get complicated. Our tech experts have experience and knowledge to handle all kinds of computer issues.

So, don’t wait just call!