There are countless reasons why a PC may decide to misbehave – whether it’s having problems booting up, refusing to open certain applications or operating slower than usual. With that said, there are some general troubleshooting efforts you can attempt that can remedy a lot of these issues. We’re going to offer some PC troubleshooting tips to help bring your computer back to full health.
Run antivirus software
If your computer is acting strange, slow or obstinate, it might be time to boot up some antivirus software. There are lots of different antivirus packages available and Microsoft has even implemented their own directly into Windows via the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
Oftentimes, a simple antivirus scan is all it takes to remedy your computer issues. They are not foolproof, however, and will often miss some of the lesser-known threats and faults found in computers. So if you are still dealing with your problem after an antivirus scan, don’t worry.
Try a software update
Software normally goes through multiple iterations or updates in its lifetime, so make sure that all of your programs are up to date. This includes your web browser, operating systems such as Windows and any other applications that you use on your computer.
Viruses and malicious coding often target older software that hasn’t been updated to gain entry to computers and cause harm. This can result in weird pop-ups, computers that won’t switch on and complete wiping of hard drives. So be sure to check for updates regularly as this can fix any security gaps in older software versions.
Try a clean operating system installation
You can reinstall Windows, Linux or macOS operating systems to give your computer a blank slate to work from. Be warned, though, that your features, installations and data will be gone if you go for a clean installation.
Although it removes your programs and data, it can also wipe any malicious or damaged applications that may be responsible for your glitchy computer. If a fresh OS reinstall doesn’t work, it might be time to call in the experts.
If you’re in need of technical assistance, call our IT experts at Rapid IT today. Our specialists are experienced and happy to help get your computer back to full health.
