Guide

Common IT issues and how to deal with them

Short, practical tips for the most common IT problems — some things can be checked or fixed yourself before you even reach out to us. Over 90 articles across 10 categories.

Guide categories

What you'll find here

The guide covers these areas — if the topic you're looking for isn't here yet, just reach out to us.

Network and WiFi

No internet, slow connection, router problems or company network issues.

→ No internet in the office — what to check → Slow internet — how to find what's causing it → Weak WiFi signal — how to fix it → Connected to WiFi but no websites load → How to check your IP address in Windows → Ping and tracert — connection diagnostics → What is DNS and how to check it → Router or provider — how to tell → VPN won't connect — common causes → Full network diagnostics from the CLI

Printers and scanners

Printer not seeing a document, driver errors, network printing problems.

→ Printer not printing — basic checks → Printer shows offline, even though it's on → How to clear a stuck print queue → Print has streaks, fading, wrong colors → Scanner not detecting document / freezing → Installing and updating a printer driver → Network printer not visible → How to check your printer's IP address → Printing remotely over VPN → Network printer diagnostics from the CLI

Email and accounts

Locked accounts, spam, mailbox sync issues.

→ Can't log into company email → How to reset your email password → Email not syncing on your phone → Not receiving emails → How to read a delivery failure message → How to spot phishing emails → Mailbox full → Unknown forwarding rule → IMAP/SMTP settings → Account locked after failed logins

Windows

Slow computers, system updates, common error messages.

→ Computer starts up slowly → Computer freezes during use → Windows update stuck → Blue screen (BSOD) → Low disk space → Program won't launch → Checking computer load → Keyboard, mouse, monitor not working → Safely restarting a frozen computer → sfc and Event Viewer diagnostics

macOS

Slow Macs, system updates, common hardware and system issues.

→ Mac starts up slowly → App won't launch or freezes → Low disk space on your Mac → macOS update stuck → Keyboard, mouse, monitor not working → Spinning wheel — what it means → Safely restarting a frozen Mac → Mac overheating or loud fan noise → Checking your Mac's load in Activity Monitor → Basic macOS diagnostics

Backups

How to check your backup is actually working, and what to do after data loss.

→ How do you know your backup is working → Windows File History — the basics → Backup vs. file sync — not the same thing → Quickly backing up files to an external drive → Previous versions of files in Windows → Accidentally deleted a file — first steps → Cloud backup — what to look for → The 3-2-1 backup rule → Backup and data encryption → Drive stopped working — first steps

Remote access and VPN

Remote connection issues, VPN, or RDP access to company resources.

→ TeamViewer vs AnyDesk — what's the difference → How to safely share remote access → Remote Desktop (RDP) won't connect → Black screen after remote connection → Slow remote connection — what causes it → No sound or clipboard in remote access → Remote access vs. VPN — which do you need → What is SSH and what it's used for → Firewall blocking a remote connection → When remote access isn't enough

IT Security

Passwords, two-factor authentication, phishing, and basic habits that protect your business.

→ What a strong password actually means → Password manager — is it worth using → Two-factor authentication (2FA) → Software updates — a security basic → What is ransomware and how to protect against it → Public WiFi — what to watch out for → Suspicious link or attachment — how to react → Antivirus — is it enough → You suspect your computer is infected → Company data breach — first steps

Mobile Devices

Smartphones and tablets at work — batteries, updates, lost devices, and syncing.

→ Phone charges slowly or battery drains fast → Low storage on your phone — how to free up space → Phone system update stuck → How to safely use your phone's hotspot → Phone won't connect to company WiFi → Company app won't log in or freezes → Syncing company calendar and contacts → Lost or stolen work phone — first steps → Mobile Device Management (MDM) → Replacing a work phone — moving data safely

IT decisions

Choices growing companies face — cost, support model, when to change providers.

→ How much does IT outsourcing cost → In-house IT or outsourcing — how to do the math → When you outgrow a freelance IT guy

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