From malfunctioning hardware to malicious Trojans and sluggish slow-downs, your PC can go haywire in numerous ways. Although complex problems may require professional intervention, you can fix many common issues with a wee bit of technical know-how.
In this comprehensive computer repair guide, we’ll present a shortlist of common Personal Computer problems, plus insider tips on how to resolve them. Before you type “PC repairs near me” into Google, have a quick read through this post.
Table of Contents
The PC Won’t Turn On
While a non-starting PC might seem like a write-off, it could be a simple power supply issue. A lack of power is the most likely culprit if no lights on the tower or screen flicker or switch on.
Start with the usual suspects. Check if the power is turned on and the cable is plugged in snuggly, as it might’ve wriggled loose. Next, find a new power cable (the monitor cable may work if you don’t have a spare) and plug it directly into a functioning wall-mounted power point. Power boards and surge protectors can fail, so it’s best to plug straight into the source.
Sometimes, peripherals and external devices can malfunction and cause non-starts. Unplug all your externals and repeat the steps above.
Still not having any luck? You could have an issue with your internal power supply, motherboard or another component. That means it’s time to contact a PC repair technician.
The PC Gets Too Hot
An overheating PC can cause sluggish performance and unexpected, data-erasing shutdowns. If you don’t rectify the problem rapidly, excessive heat may permanently damage internal components. There are two common causes of an overheating computer: your cooling system isn’t working correctly, or you’re pushing your computer too hard.
Clogged vents can inhibit a PC’s cooling system. Ensure your computer sits on a hard surface (soft places like beds reduce airflow) and all its vents have at least 10 cm of clearance. Clean out any dust from the vents with a soft brush.
Malfunctioning fans also cause overheating. Your PC should make a loud vroom-like sound upon start-up and then quieten down once the operating system loads. If not, one or more of the fans might’ve malfunctioned. Use a screwdriver to take the case off and switch on the computer to see if all the fans are rotating correctly—alternatively, you might be able to peer inside with a torch. While your computer is open, you can use a clean microfiber towel or a can of compressed air to clear up any dust.
It’s equally possible the overheating is caused by putting too much strain on your personal computer. If you’ve overclocked the CPU or GPU, try reverting them to their original speeds. You may even consider underclocking either component if the problem persists.
Resource-intensive activities like gaming can cause overheating, especially when pushing your PC to the limit. Try cranking down the graphics or switching to a less demanding title. As a rule of thumb, avoid any programs that consistently use 90% or more of your processing power.
The PC Keeps Disconnecting from the Wi-Fi
If your personal computer won’t keep a steady connection to your Wi-Fi, it’s either an issue with your internet or your PC’s network card.
Test the Wi-Fi connection on one or two other devices, such as a laptop or smartphone. If these all experience issues, try restarting your router. Failing that, contact your ISP for technical support.
If all devices work fine except your PC, you probably have a problem with your network card. Windows has a power-saver setting that automatically reduces juice to the card. To deactivate it, search for Wireless Adaptor Settings and switch the Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance.
The PC Runs Too Slowly
Slow-loading programs, jittery images, or mouse input lag indicate a significant performance issue. A sluggish PC isn’t just frustrating; it has a massive impact on productivity and your mental well-being.
Sub-par performance may result from excessive multitasking. Load up Task Manager (hit CTRL + Alt + Del) to see which apps are hogging your RAM and CPU—multiple browser tabs are notoriously memory-hungry. Close the most resource-intensive applications to free up processing power.
Malware and viruses are other common computer slow-down culprits. Ensure your anti-virus software is updated and run a full scan to identify and quarantine suspicious files. Keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date helps protect your personal computer from harm.
A full-to-the-brim storage drive can also impact performance. As your operating system needs extra space to create temporary files and prevent fragmentation, it’s wise to keep at least 20% of its total storage free. Sift through your PC to delete unneeded files and back up the important stuff on an external drive (or a cloud storage site). Next, empty your recycling bin and delete any unnecessary temporary files.
Speaking of storage, a solid-state drive (SSD) offers superior all-around performance than the hard disk drives (HDD) of old.
The PC Displays a Blue Screen
Also known as the “Blue Screen of Death,” this terror-inducing error message manifests during a critical hardware or software failure. Snap a photo of the error code (or write it down), as this handy alphanumerical sequence can prove invaluable in the troubleshooting phase.
Google the error code to ascertain whether it’s a software or hardware issue—the latter typically requires professional help. With a software issue, start by turning the computer off and on again.
If a reboot and your PC’s automated self-healing tools don’t fix the issue, restart the computer in safe mode by holding down the F8 key before the Windows logo appears. Once in safe mode, you can attempt to repair the issue by rolling back updates, utilising repair tools, or re-installing the operating system. Pay close attention to the instructions when re-installing Windows so you don’t lose all your data.
Your Computer is Beeping
A PC beeps when the motherboard detects an issue, and the rhythm or sequence can provide clues about the problem.
If your PC makes two or three rapid beeps and won’t boot, the RAM has likely come loose. Open up the box, remove the RAM from its slot, and clean the area with a cotton bud. Reinsert the RAM using just enough pressure to lodge it firmly in place. Lock the clips to ensure the RAM won’t come loose again.
Malfunctioning or improperly installed components can also lead to beeps. Remove any recently added hardware to see if this resolves the issue. If so, try re-installing the problematic part or get a professional to install it for you. Should that not work, the component is likely damaged and needs replacement.
Get Expert Technical Help Direct to Your Door with Geeks2U
Still need assistance resolving a troublesome PC problem?
Help is only a quick phone call away. With an expansive team of expert IT technicians located all over Melbourne, Geeks2U is the city’s leading PC repair specialist. We offer on-site or remote services seven days a week and resolve most issues within 48 hours. Same-day service is available for time-sensitive issues that require immediate attention.
Backed by 15 years of industry experience, we have the technical expertise to handle any IT repair job. And if we can’t solve your issue, you won’t have to pay a cent.
Contact us today for a fast, affordable, and reliable PC repair service in Melbourne and the surrounding region.
