Tech-averse Britons are being told they can solve the most common technology problems themselves.
Cloud experts from TelephoneSystems.Cloud are advising Brits on some of the most common tech problems they experience and how they can solve them at home without the help of a professional.
When experiencing frustrating tech issues, the experts say to look into at-home solutions before rushing out to buy a replacement.
Often, the most common issues have a quick fix, whether it be for slow Wi-Fi, sluggish devices or overheating.
Juliet Moran from TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “We want to help technologically challenged Britons to understand how to fix their tech problems without having to contact anyone else.
“If you are experiencing issues with freezing or your device is being very sluggish, it is definitely not time to go out and get a new laptop. Instead, there are a few at-home remedies which should get you back online.
“Overheating and slow Wi-Fi can also be fixed by just a few simple steps, and there are ways to prevent these issues from recurring.”
Here are some of the most common home tech problems and how to fix them, from TelephoneSystems.Cloud:
- Sluggish devices
If your computer keeps freezing or seems sluggish, there are simple steps that can help get you up and running again. One reason for the issues could be full storage. Get rid of any unused or unimportant files that could be clogging up your device, and consider moving some photos or videos from your device into online storage. When deleting anything on your device, empty the recycle bin. It may be that you have too many programmes running at once and this is causing your device to overwork and become sluggish. Simply go through and close any unused programmes and see how that impacts your experience.
- Dodgy Wi-FI connection
If your devices are seemingly refusing to connect to Wi-Fi, it could be due to a weak signal or faulty router. If restarting your router and device doesn’t fix the issue, you may be too far away from your router. Try moving closer and see if the connection gets any stronger. Thick walls and floors can actually block your Wi-Fi signal and cause slow speeds, so minimizing these barriers can be a solution. Otherwise, the efficiency of your router will affect your internet speeds, and the age of the router definitely plays a part in this. The Wi-Fi technology that routers use have been upgraded recently, so with Mesh, you can get higher speed Wi-Fi that can handle more traffic than before.
- Deleting by accident
Have you accidentally deleted something and can’t figure out how to get it back? This is a common tech problem but can be sorted with no stress. Often, deleted files will go into your device’s recycle bin (or ‘trash’ on Mac products), which you can use to access and reinstate lost files. Some programmes, like Microsoft, will have a recovery feature which automatically saves copies of your files, meaning you should be able to recover a previous version of any deleted or lost file.
- Vulnerable information and data
Data security is a common tech issue for Britons, and taking measures to protect your vulnerable information is crucial. There are security measures you can put in place, like two-step verification, which is a security measure requiring a second step to log into an account. You may already use it for banking apps with face recognition or a fingerprint scan. This provides an extra layer of security and makes it harder for the hackers to access your data. Back up your data regularly and if you are hit by a virus or infected by malware, you’ll be able to retrieve all lost data. The easiest way to back up devices is on cloud storage.
- Device overheating
Whilst an overheating device may not stop you from working on what you need to, it can be concerning. Whilst you can still use your device while overheating, it could cause your device to shut down without warning. To avoid overheating, keep your device on a cool, flat surface to stop anything from blocking the fan. During the warmer months, keeping your device out of the sun can also help, as sun exposure can make your device more susceptible to overheating. Regular cleaning can also help keep your device cool, as overheating is often caused by dust getting into your device.
