9 Super Common Computer Problems You Should Know

It’s another ordinary day as you work on your computer. All of a sudden, your computer starts to flash nonstop error messages at you! As you stand up in shock, your computer explodes!

Ok, so that’s not going to happen. But computers run into issues both big and small daily, and it’s a hassle to always go fetch the IT guy every time that happens. So what steps can you take to be ahead of the curve?

Ponder no longer! We’re here to tell you about 9 of the most common computer problems and how to fix them yourself. So strap in, because we’re starting right now:

1. Computer Runs Like Molasses

We all know that feeling of frustration when a document that should have loaded in seconds takes a full minute to load, but this problem is in your control to fix.

If your computer is having speed issues, one of the biggest culprits is your computer’s RAM. RAM stores the temporary memory from applications you run on your computer so the applications can open easily, and if you don’t clear that cached data semi-regularly, your computer will slow down.

If that doesn’t work, open the task manager application on your computer and see what applications are running right now. Shutting down any you aren’t using will lessen the load on your computer’s CPU.

2. Internet Runs Like Molasses (Or Not At All)

If your internet slows down, it’s not an issue of RAM so much as it is of connectivity.

Doing a check of your computer’s connectivity or the condition of your router, or clearing the online cache in your browser, are good first steps to take. Using your task manager to lower the demand on your CPU can help to improve your internet speed too.

3. Computer’s Getting Hot To The Touch

Computers under a lot of strain will overheat, causing the computer to feel warm, the fans to start whirring, and result in performance failures if the issue gets severe enough. Pieces inside the computer will even become damaged if the problem persists.

If any of these overheating “symptoms” start to pop up, close all applications on your computer to give the computer time to cool down, and then try again to see if the symptoms come up again. Replacing your cooling fans could also help. The process is easy and you can do it yourself.

Now, if it turns out your computer parts resemble melted sludge, you need to take your computer to a local computer repair shop. No DIY project will fix that mess.

4. The Blue Screen Of Doom

If you boot up your computer and see a blue screen, don’t panic. This problem is often solved with nothing more than a system reboot or restart.

If that fails, blue screens often tend to display some error code that indicates the problem with the hardware or software that is causing the crash. From there, you can either look up the code and attempt to fix it yourself or bring the computer with the code to a professional.

5. Computer Takes A Nap During Work

Having your computer shut down in the middle of work is another terrifying phenomenon, but this problem is an easier fix than the blue screen of doom. Common culprits include the computer not having enough power to run everything that is open at present, or updates that require restarts, installing in the background unbeknownst to you.

In these cases, restarting the computer from scratch will generally fix everything (though anything you were working on at the time of shutdown may vanish).

6. Problems With Applications

If you crack open Spotify or Microsoft Word and experience problems, uninstalling and then reinstalling the software will often work out any kinks the program was experiencing.

If the app requires an account login or internet connection, logging off and then back on or rebooting your Wi-Fi are also quick fixes.

7. Attack Of The Malware

Most of the problems we discussed earlier can also stem from viruses, as will breaches of data and potential cyber theft. If a good deal of these problems happen in succession, or you notice other symptoms like random pop-ups or unusual account activity on your apps, grab some anti-virus software and get to work.

Make sure your firewall is on and up-to-date as well. Not all computers come out of the box with the firewall turned on to start.

8. High Definition? More Like No Definition

A frequent computer problem is when your screen seems to be presenting images at a lower resolution than it should, or text appears blurry and incomprehensible. When this happens, check if your graphics card is powerful enough to deal with the strain you’re putting on it. Another potential cause is your graphics card growing old and failing.

If this is the case, you will need to replace and/or upgrade the card. Research the specs of your computer and software to see what level of card your computer needs.

9. Apps and Your Computer Don’t Talk Anymore

Is that fancy new video chat app you need for work refusing to download? One potential cause is that the app and your computer aren’t compatible with one another. The software might not have a version designed for your grade of OS either. For example, many programs aren’t calibrated to work with Mac OS Catalina yet.

If it’s a problem of manufacturer exclusivity (i.e, some programs are Windows only and not for Macs), try using programs like Wine or Bootcamp to work around those restrictions in a legal fashion.

Now You Ain’t Afraid Of No Common Computer Problems

Well, now you know all you need to know about 9 of the most common computer problems and how to solve them yourself. So where do you go from here? If you’re thinking of becoming a god-tier hacker and conquering the world, that’s great, but take a few more computer classes first (we do not endorse that line of work).

Well, if you want to learn more about how to use technology to improve your business or work experience, check out some of the other posts on our blog! So until next time, don’t click on any million-dollar sweepstakes links. At least, unless you’re trying to get a computer virus.