10 technical tips to fix your tech devices

Although each product has different problems, sometimes a little logic and a cool head are enough to solve the situation. In this article, we will analyze some “standard” procedures to deal with malfunctions or problems of various kinds that afflict your gadgets.

Problems with technological devices? Just try turning it off and on again

It may sound almost silly, but many tech-related problems are simply solved this way. Whether it’s a computer, smartphone, or another device, a simple shutdown followed by a restart can lead to considerable results.

In the case of computers or complex machines, operating systems have many processes happening at the same time. When one or more of these processes encounters a problem, it can cause a chain reaction and lead the device to lock up or otherwise reveal malfunctions. Stopping the gadget and starting from scratch is a good way to make a clean sweep and start over.

Restarting is also a good test to see if the problem is software or hardware related. If your computer is running slowly and takes a while to complete a task, restarting it should fix the problem if it’s a software problem. If the problem persists even after rebooting, you might consider the hardware to be a suspect, be it Bad RAM or a hard drive failed.

For most devices, if the device is unresponsive, you can force a shutdown by simply holding the power button long enough. On an iPhone, press and hold the power button and volume up or down at the same time. For devices that are theoretically always on (such as modern smart TV) unplug the power cord and wait about 30 seconds before resetting the connection.

Check for the latest software updates

Software updates can be another problem related to technological devices. Sometimes faulty software can cause a problem that will continue to re-emerge until it is fixed. You can often fix these problems by checking for updates.

It is generally a good idea to update your devices as soon as the manufacturer makes a software update available. However, there are substantial exceptions. For example, an update of an operating system can cause some problems in the first days after its release. At this juncture, waiting a few weeks maybe the wisest choice. In the event of substantial problems, in fact, manufacturers can modify the updates with special ones patch.

Reset to factory settings

Often a rather painful choice, but one that solves many problems.

Virtually anything, including smartphones and tablets, can be restored to factory settings. Any high-tech device giving you trouble could benefit from a reset. This includes network equipment such as a router (often via a small pin-sized hole), smart TV but also smartwatch is a fitness tracker and even a game console.

Obviously, you must take into account that, by doing so, you will lose a considerable amount of data. In the field of smartphones, for example, you may lose your password Wi-Fi networks but above all the photos, as long as you have not previously made a backup.

Bluetooth problems? Please pair again!

Their Bluetooth technology is very interesting but also accompanied by a series of not indifferent problems. The line so stable can often be unstable, with some devices refusing to pair with others.

If these problems are widespread, it is also true that it is easy to solve them: in fact, it is sufficient to carry out the coupling again. Once the unstable connection has been “cleared”, the two hardware components can be connected again.

Give Safe Mode a chance

Whether it’s PC, Mac, or Android, the Safe mode can save you when the situation seems compromised. In fact, the technological devices just mentioned can be started through this particular mode, temporarily blocking drivers and other superfluous software which, very often, are the real source of problems.

By starting the machine in this way, you can carry out all the necessary tests, trying to understand what is not working on the device using the same in a stable mode.

Watch out for cables

If WiFi and Bluetooth can cause connection problems, dear and old cables they are no less.

The most obvious example of this is the USB cables used to charge your smartphone. These are used often and in various conditions, which can cause rapid deterioration of the same. Replacing a cable can solve the problem or in any case help you understand what the real specific problem is, going by exclusion.

If the problem does not go away with a new cable, there may be a problem with the device it is connected to (such as the wall outlet or USB port on your computer), or the port on the device itself may be faulty.

Charging cables are just the tip of the iceberg. Defective network cables are far from a rarity, especially if they are constantly plugged in and unplugged. THE HDMI cables can fail without warning and need prompt replacement.

Software problem? Try reinstalling the app

If the problem is software-related and you have already tried to reboot your device without success, reinstalling the problem software might be a good idea. If it’s a mobile or desktop application, this is a pretty straightforward process.

The gadget does not turn on? Charge it for a while

Some devices are left inactive for months, sometimes even years. When this happens, it is far from rare that they no longer work on the first try. Even when you plug in a charging cable, nothing seems to happen.

When batteries are completely discharged, they often need to be charged slowly to avoid damage to the batteries. In short, you should leave a “dead” device plugged into power for a while, hoping it will show concrete signs of life. Usually, after a few hours of connection, it is possible to understand if it is really possible to make a recovery.

Wet gadget? Forget the rice

If it is true that the rice can help to dry a device, very often this is not the most effective solution.

In the case of a wet gadget, the first thing to do is to turn it off and remove the battery if possible. This considerably reduces the risk of short circuits, which could irreparably damage the components. That said, you’ll want to turn your attention to the inside of the device.

If you can’t open your device (or prefer to avoid it), the best thing you can do is make sure it’s turned off and all removable batteries are removed, then wait a few hours. Corrosion of some internal parts can still occur, but the possibility of a short circuit is reduced. Make sure you wait long enough for the item to dry completely (as a general rule, 48 hours should be enough) before trying to turn it back on.

Please note: Nowadays, many smartphones are equipped with protection against splashing water and rain, so it is a much less serious problem than before.

Buttons stuck or sticky? Clean up!

If you have a sticky button on a controller or keyboard, cleaning can seem a bit complex. In reality, this is not the case.

In most cases, a simple one is enough cotton swab and a little bit of isopropyl alcohol to effectively clean these components. You can also use thin plastic to help the alcohol penetrate the mechanism. You should always do this while the device is turned off, preferably with the batteries removed.

If you don’t have much luck the first time, repeat the process to get out the dirt that accumulates in the spaces of a button or between the keys of your keyboard. It’s not as effective as opening the gadget and cleaning it properly, but it may still work.

Please note: isopropyl alcohol should evaporate completely without leaving residues therefore, as long as it is used with the device switched off, it does not present any particular dangers.