Craig the Computer Geek
Topic 6 — All Topics

How to Troubleshoot Annoying Computer Glitches

Fix the most common computer problems yourself — frozen screens, no sound, slow performance, printer issues and more. No technical knowledge required

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Most computer problems look scary but have surprisingly simple fixes. This guide walks you through the most common glitches — step by step — so you can solve them yourself with confidence.

🔄 The #1 Fix for Almost Everything: Restart!

Before trying anything else, restart your computer. This single step fixes roughly 80% of all computer problems. It clears the temporary memory, closes any stuck programs, and applies any pending updates.

⚠️ Restart vs Shut Down
Always choose Restart (not Shut Down) when troubleshooting. Restart does a complete fresh start, while Shut Down on modern Windows can use a shortcut that doesn’t fully clear the problem.

To restart: Click the Start button → Power icon → Restart. Wait for the computer to fully start up again before testing.

❄️ My Computer is Frozen / Not Responding

A frozen screen can be alarming, but don’t reach for the power button immediately. Try these steps first:

  1. Wait 2 minutes — Sometimes the computer is just working very hard on something. Give it a chance to finish.
  2. Try Ctrl + Alt + Delete — Press all three keys at the same time. A blue screen with options will appear. Choose “Task Manager”.
  3. End the frozen program — In Task Manager, find the program that says “Not Responding” next to it, click it, then click “End Task” in the bottom right.
  4. If completely stuck — Hold the power button down for 5 seconds to force the computer off. Only do this as a last resort, as it may lose any unsaved work.
  5. Restart properly — Turn it back on normally and allow it to fully start up.

⚡ Common Glitches and Their Fixes

The problem The fix
No sound Check the volume is turned up — look for the speaker icon in the bottom-right and click it. Make sure it’s not muted. Also check the physical volume on your speakers. Try restarting.
Printer won’t print Turn the printer off and back on. Check there’s paper in the tray and no paper jam. Go to Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers to check it shows as “Ready”.
Running slowly Restart first. Close browser tabs you’re not using. Check for Windows Updates and install them. Too many programs open at once slows everything down.
Wi-Fi dropping out Move closer to the modem — brick walls and concrete weaken the signal significantly. Restart the modem. Microwaves and some cordless phones can also interfere with Wi-Fi. A Wi-Fi range extender or mesh network can boost the signal in problem areas.
Screen gone dark Move the mouse or press any key to wake it up. If nothing happens, check the power cable. Try pressing the brightness keys (Fn + brightness key — usually in the top row).
Battery draining fast Lower the screen brightness — it’s a major battery drain. Close programs you’re not using. Check Settings → System → Battery for apps using lots of power.
Wrong characters when typing Check Caps Lock isn’t accidentally on. Check your language settings haven’t changed — go to Settings → Time & Language → Language.
Browser running slowly Clear the browsing history and cache: press Ctrl + Shift + Delete in your browser. Too many browser extensions can also slow things down.

🔧 Let Windows Fix It For You

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically diagnose and fix many common problems — for internet, audio, printers, and more.

  1. Click the Start button and type “Troubleshoot”.
  2. Click “Troubleshoot settings”.
  3. Click “Additional troubleshooters” (or “Other troubleshooters” in Windows 11).
  4. Find the category that matches your problem (Internet, Audio, Printer, etc.) and click “Run the troubleshooter”.
  5. Follow any on-screen instructions — Windows will try to fix the problem automatically.

🚀 Speed Up a Slow Computer

  • Restart at least once a week — Don’t just close the lid. A proper weekly restart keeps things running smoothly.
  • Close browser tabs you’re not reading — Every open tab uses memory. Close anything you’ve finished with.
  • Run Disk Cleanup — Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu. Select your C: drive and let Windows remove temporary files it no longer needs.
  • Uninstall programs you don’t use — Go to Settings → Apps → find programs you haven’t used in months and uninstall them.
  • Manage startup programs — Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click the Startup tab. Right-click and disable programs you don’t need to open automatically when the computer starts.
  • Install all Windows Updates — Keeping Windows up to date often includes performance improvements.
⚡ Craig’s Turbocharge Service — Consider an SSD Upgrade
Older computers often have a mechanical hard disk drive (HDD) which is much slower than a modern Solid State Drive (SSD). Craig can “turbocharge” your computer by cloning everything to a new SSD — all your files, programs and settings transfer across intact. The process usually takes around a day and costs significantly less than a new computer. It can extend your current computer’s life by years. Call Craig on 0411 147 909 to find out if your computer is a good candidate.

📞 When to Call for Help

Call Craig on 0411 147 909 if:

  • You’ve tried everything above and the problem persists
  • Your computer is making unusual noises (grinding, clicking)
  • You get a blue screen with error code text
  • Your computer won’t turn on at all
  • You think there might be a virus
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