How to Troubleshoot Common PC Issues

PC issues can be frustrating, but many problems can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps. Whether you’re dealing with a slow system, crashes, connectivity problems, or boot failures, knowing how to diagnose and fix these issues can save time and money. This guide will walk you through the most common PC problems and how to fix them efficiently.

1. PC Won’t Turn On

If your PC doesn’t power on, the issue is likely related to the power supply, motherboard, or internal connections.

How to Fix It:

  • Check the Power Supply: Ensure the power cable is securely connected and that the PSU switch is turned on. Try a different power outlet.
  • Test the Power Button: Some cases have faulty power buttons—try using the motherboard’s power switch if available.
  • Inspect PSU Cables: Open the case and check if the 24-pin motherboard cable and 8-pin CPU power cable are securely plugged in.
  • Test with a Different PSU: If possible, swap out the power supply to see if it’s faulty.

Tip: If the PSU fan doesn’t spin when turning on the PC, it may be dead and need replacement.

2. PC Turns On but No Display

If your PC powers on but there’s no signal on the monitor, the problem could be related to the GPU, RAM, or display settings.

How to Fix It:

  • Check Monitor Connection: Ensure the monitor is powered on and properly connected to the GPU or motherboard.
  • Reseat the RAM: Power off the PC, remove the RAM sticks, and reinstall them firmly in their slots.
  • Check the GPU: If using a dedicated GPU, ensure it is properly seated in the PCIe slot and that the power cables are connected.
  • Try the Motherboard HDMI Port: If using an Intel CPU with integrated graphics, remove the GPU and connect the monitor to the motherboard’s HDMI port.
  • Test with One Stick of RAM: A faulty RAM module can cause display issues—try booting with just one stick at a time.

Tip: If your PC has a beep code speaker, count the beeps at startup to identify the issue based on the motherboard manual.

3. PC Keeps Restarting or Crashing

Frequent crashes or restarts can be caused by overheating, driver conflicts, or failing hardware.

How to Fix It:

  • Check for Overheating: Use HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to monitor CPU and GPU temperatures. If temperatures exceed 85°C (CPU) or 80°C (GPU), improve cooling.
  • Update Drivers: Install the latest GPU, chipset, and Windows updates.
  • Scan for Malware: Run Windows Defender or Malwarebytes to check for viruses that could cause instability.
  • Test RAM for Errors: Use Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 to detect faulty RAM modules.
  • Check PSU Stability: If the power supply is unstable, the PC may shut down under load. Try using a different PSU if available.

Tip: If the issue started after a Windows update, try rolling back to a previous restore point.

4. PC Is Running Slow

A slow PC can be caused by too many background applications, outdated drivers, or failing storage.

How to Fix It:

  • Close Background Apps: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and disable unnecessary startup programs under the Startup tab.
  • Free Up Storage Space: Use Storage Sense to delete temporary files and uninstall unused applications.
  • Check for Malware: Run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.
  • Upgrade to an SSD: If using an HDD, upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve speed.
  • Add More RAM: If your PC has less than 8GB of RAM, consider upgrading to at least 16GB for better performance.

Tip: If your PC suddenly became slow, check Windows Update to ensure it’s not downloading updates in the background.

5. Internet Connection Issues

If you’re experiencing slow or no internet, the problem could be with your network adapter, router, or ISP.

How to Fix It:

  • Restart Your Router: Power off your router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
  • Check Network Drivers: Open Device Manager, find Network Adapters, and update the driver.
  • Flush DNS Cache: Open Command Prompt (Admin) and type:ipconfig /flushdns
  • Test with Ethernet: If using Wi-Fi, try a wired Ethernet connection to rule out wireless issues.
  • Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Reset Network.

Tip: If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, change the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings to avoid interference.

6. USB Ports Not Working

If USB devices aren’t being recognized, the issue could be driver-related or a hardware fault.

How to Fix It:

  • Try a Different USB Port: Test the device on another port to check if one is faulty.
  • Check Device Manager: Open Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, and look for errors.
  • Reinstall USB Drivers: Right-click each USB device, select Uninstall Device, then restart your PC.
  • Check Power Settings: Go to Control Panel > Power Options, then disable USB Selective Suspend.

Tip: If only front panel USB ports aren’t working, check if they are connected to the motherboard correctly.

7. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

A BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) occurs when Windows encounters a critical error. The error code can help diagnose the problem.

How to Fix It:

  • Note the Error Code: If the BSOD displays an error code (e.g., IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL), search online for specific fixes.
  • Update Drivers: Outdated GPU, chipset, or storage drivers can cause BSOD errors.
  • Check RAM Stability: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to detect faulty RAM.
  • Scan for Corrupt System Files: Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run: sfc /scannow
  • Check Storage Health: Use CrystalDiskInfo to check for SSD or HDD failures.

Tip: If BSODs occur after a recent update, boot into Safe Mode and perform a System Restore.

8. No Sound from Speakers or Headphones

If your PC isn’t producing sound, the issue could be driver-related or an incorrect audio setting.

How to Fix It:

  • Check Audio Output: Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and ensure the correct output device is selected.
  • Update Audio Drivers: Open Device Manager > Sound, Video, and Game Controllers and update drivers.
  • Restart Audio Services: Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, and restart Windows Audio.
  • Try a Different Audio Port: Plug the headset into another port to test for a faulty connection.

Tip: If using external speakers, ensure the volume is turned up and not muted.

Final Thoughts

Troubleshooting PC issues doesn’t have to be complicated. By systematically identifying and fixing common problems like boot failures, slow performance, network issues, and BSOD errors, you can keep your PC running smoothly. If an issue persists despite troubleshooting, it may indicate a hardware failure that requires professional repair or component replacement.

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