Between remote work, online services, and entertainment, people depend on computers to keep their lives moving. That probably explains why computer ownership is exceedingly high with 92 percent or more of homes owning at least one. In many cases, there are several computers between desktops, laptops, and tablets.
Of course, all of this technology also comes with one inevitability: computer problems. Sooner or later, every computer develops some issue that either hampers your activities or stops them completely.
So, what kind of computer issues can you look forward to at some point? Keep reading for five of the most common computer issues.
1. It’s Slow
New computers always have a lot of zip when compare with your old computer. One very common reason the computer not working as fast is that you don’t have enough RAM. The standard amount of RAM required for basic operations keep going up year by year.
After you own a computer for a few years, the amount you have in the computer just can’t keep up with the new demands. Fixing a computer with this problem just takes installing some additional RAM.
2. Viruses
Another sadly common problem most computer owners face eventually is viruses or malware. In the old days, you got them by visiting sketchy websites or downloading files from unknown sources.
These days, you can get them on your computer by visiting reputable websites that are compromised. The best solution is anti-virus software that you update regularly.
3. Won’t Start
Few things prove more frustrating than a computer that won’t boot up. If the case of desktop computers, the most likely culprit is that the machine isn’t plugged in or the power strip is off.
For laptops or tablets, you should check that the battery can still take a charge.
4. Freezing
Almost every computer will freeze once in a while. Reboot the machine and the problem will resolve in most cases.
If your computer freezes all of the time, odds are good that you either have a virus or the computer lacks enough memory.
Run a virus scan. If that doesn’t work, look into upgrading your RAM or hard drive.
5. Sudden Death
Okay, most computers don’t just die out of the blue. There are almost always signs. If you’re not paying attention, though, it can seem like the death came out of nowhere.
In this case, there probably isn’t a ready fix. You’ll want to focus on data recovery, instead. Remember, you can always load those files onto a new hard drive or computer system.
Computer Problems and You
Every computer owner faces computer problems sooner or later. While surprisingly stable, computers are enormously complex machines. Complicating matters, hardware and peripherals often come from different manufacturers. That creates a lot of opportunities for problems.
The best way you can avoid problems is through careful attention. Make a note of it when you have a problem. If you see a pattern develop, you can research solutions before things escalate too far.
Looking for more computer tips? Check out the Computers posts in our Technology section.
