Note: If you have come here because you are looking for help with a software problem right now, one of these articles might find you an answer quicker:
If you have come here to learn how to solve software problems yourself, you have come to the right place! This article is designed as a reference for you to begin learning how to solve most software problems with a few common solutions.
We've separated this guide into five sections:
What Causes Most Software Problems?
Understanding why fixes work is a big part of learning how to solve them yourself. We've created a table of the most common software problems and how they are fixed to help you, but if you want to get straight to the solutions, move on to the correct section for your device below.
What's Causing the Problem? | How to Fix It |
Incompatibility with your OS (Operating System) or other programs. |
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Incorrect, out-of-date, or missing drivers (software that tells your computer how to use hardware). |
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Not enough memory or processing power. |
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Important files have become 'corrupted' (they have saved with errors). |
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Basic Windows Software Troubleshooting Method
Windows is a very open operating system that gives its users a lot of control but also has many ways different programs can interfere with each other and stop working. This basic Windows software troubleshooting method is a way of trying different possible fixes for your software issues, in order of how fast they are to complete, until you find something that works.
Quick Fixes
Close the problem program and start it again.
Close the problem program and all open and unused programs, then start it again.
Close the problem program and all its background processes, then start it again.
Check for program updates and download them if available.
Restart the software as an administrator.
Open the program in compatibility mode.
Try repairing software in Installed Programs.
Check Your Firewall/Antivirus and Add Exceptions.
Medium Fixes
Update Windows if an update is available (this usually updates your drivers too).
Check if the app supports your current version of Windows by checking the app's website.
Search online for common problems and solutions.
Back up your files and Reinstall.
Contact your company's IT support.
Ask colleagues for help.
Use a different program that does the same thing.
Slow Fixes
Reinstall Windows, then reinstall the program.
Basic Android Software Troubleshooting Method
Let's have a look at how to stop and refresh apps in Android and other helpful fixes. Different devices run different versions of Android so there might be some small changes in where settings are located. Use the search feature in your settings to find what you are looking for.
Quick Fixes
Close the problem program and start it again.
Close the problem program and all unused programs, then start it again.
Close the problem program and use 'force-stop", then start it again.
Close the problem program and use 'force-stop", clear the cache, then restart.
Medium Fixes
Update the app in the Google Play Store.
Search online for common problems and solutions.
Check if the app supports your current version of Android by checking their website or description in the Google Play Store.
Uninstall and reinstall the app. Don't forget to make sure it is up-to-date when you reinstall.
Shut down and restart your device.
Contact your company's IT support.
Use a different program that does the same thing.
Ask colleagues for help.
Slow Fixes
Factory reset your device, reinstall your applications, and update everything.
Please note: A factory reset will delete all locally stored information and applications.
Basic MacOS Software Troubleshooting Method
Unfortunately being an Apple user doesn't save you from software problems, you just look cool while you are fixing them! The good news is, just like computers and Android devices, there's a good fixing process to try before you ask for help. Follow the order of the guide below to try the quickest fixes first:
Quick Fixes
Close the problem program and start it again.
Close the problem program and all unused programs, then start it again.
Close the problem program and all its background processes, then start it again.
Restart the software as an administrator.
Check Your Firewall/Antivirus and Add Exceptions for the program.
Medium Fixes
Update MacOS if an update is available.
Check if the app supports your current version of MacOS by checking their website or information in the Apple Store.
Search online for common problems and solutions.
Back up your files and reinstall.
Contact Support.
Ask colleagues for help.
Use a different program that does the same thing.
Slow Fixes
Basic iPhone Software Troubleshooting Method
Good news! troubleshooting software problems on an iPhone is slightly shorter than Android because there are simply less things that can go wrong! But don't worry there are still lots of things you can try before you ask a professional for help. Let's have a look at the troubleshooting list for iPhones, and remember they are in order of the quickest to the slowest fixes:
Quick Fixes
Close the problem program and start it again.
Close the problem program and all unused programs, then start it again.
Close the problem program and use 'force-quit", then start it again.
Close the problem program and use 'force-quit", clear the cache, then start it again.
Medium Fixes
Restart your iPhone
Update the program in the App Store.
Search online for common problems and solutions.
Check if the app supports your current version of iOS by checking their website or information in the App Store.
Uninstall and reinstall the app. Don't forget to make sure it is up-to-date when you reinstall.
Contact Support.
Ask colleagues for help.
Use a different program that does the same thing.
Slow Fixes
Factory reset your device, reinstall your applications, and update everything.
Please note: A factory reset will delete all locally stored information and applications.
Nothing Works?
If you have reached this point in the article and tried everything on the basic troubleshooting list for your device, congratulations on doing some skilled troubleshooting, but this isn't a simple problem. You will need to look for support from your IT department or another technical specialist.
It is worth taking the time to search for information about the problem and see if other people have the same complaint. If nobody is suggesting a working solution then it might just not work properly with your device.
Wrap Up
Each of the 4 software troubleshooting guides is designed with the quickest solutions first, so all you need to do is follow the list in order until something works. If you can, try to follow this guide often to practice the steps and add them to your personal software troubleshooting toolkit. When you search the internet for other solutions you will start to add other knowledge and solutions to your own list and your confidence in fixing software problems will grow.
With a strong troubleshooting toolkit, you won't be slowed down by common simple software problems anymore. You might have colleagues asking for your help though!