When a computer, printer or WiFi connection stops working, it is tempting to book support immediately. Sometimes that is exactly the right thing to do. However, five quick checks can often identify a simple cause, restore normal service or give your IT team useful information before they start diagnosing the fault.
These checks should take about two minutes. They are suitable for home users, offices and growing businesses, although you should avoid changing network or security settings if your organisation has specific IT procedures.
A quick check is not a diagnosis, but it can help separate a simple connection issue from a fault that needs proper technical attention.
Start with the five point check
Work through these in order.
- ✅ Check the power, plug and socket
- ✅ Check cables and connections
- ✅ Test whether the problem affects one device or the whole network
- ✅ Check the printer queue and any stuck jobs
- ✅ Perform a proper full restart, not just a lid-close
If one of the checks fixes the problem, make a note of what worked. If it does not, the information will still help your support technician.
One, check the power, plug and socket
Power problems can look like computer faults. A blank screen, an unresponsive laptop or a printer that appears completely offline may simply not be receiving power correctly.
Check the following:
- Is the device switched on at its own power button?
- Is the power cable firmly connected at both ends?
- Is the plug fully inserted into the wall socket or extension lead?
- Is the extension lead or power strip switched on?
- Does the charger show a light when it is connected?
- If the device is a laptop, does it behave differently when connected to its charger?
For a desktop computer, check the cable behind the computer as well as the wall socket. For a monitor, printer or router, check its individual power connection rather than assuming that everything on the desk shares the same supply.
If it is safe to do so, you can test the socket with another known-working device, such as a desk lamp. Do not open a power supply or continue using equipment that smells of burning, becomes unusually hot or shows signs of damage. In that situation, switch it off safely and arrange technical help.
Two, check the cables and connections
A cable can look connected while being loose enough to interrupt communication. This is particularly common with monitors, printers, docking stations, Ethernet cables and USB accessories.
Look at the connections for:
- The monitor cable between the computer and screen
- The keyboard and mouse
- The printer USB or network cable
- The Ethernet cable between a computer and network point
- Any docking station or USB hub
- External drives and other important accessories
Disconnecting and reconnecting a cable carefully can help, but avoid forcing a connector into the wrong port. If a cable has been bent sharply, crushed under furniture or pulled at an angle, note that when reporting the problem.
Wireless accessories need a similar check. Confirm that the keyboard, mouse or headset is switched on, charged and connected to the correct device. If a wireless mouse has stopped working, replacing the battery may be a quicker answer than troubleshooting the computer itself.
Three, find out whether it is one device or the whole network
This is one of the most useful checks for homes and businesses. It helps show whether the issue is limited to one computer or affects the wider WiFi or office network.
Try the following:
- Check the network or WiFi symbol on the affected device.
- Open a familiar website or cloud service.
- Test another device using the same connection.
- Ask a colleague whether they are experiencing the same problem.
The results give you an early indication of the fault:
-
Only one device is affected and other devices work normally
The issue may be with that computer, its network settings or its individual connection. -
Several devices are affected
The issue may relate to the router, wireless access point, broadband service or wider office network. -
Websites work but a shared folder, printer or business system does not
The issue may be limited to a particular service, server or permission. -
The device shows WiFi but nothing loads
The computer may be connected to the router but not receiving a working internet connection.
In a business environment, do not repeatedly restart routers, switches or other network equipment without checking your organisation’s procedures. A restart can sometimes help, but it can also interrupt colleagues, phone systems, cloud connections and other services.
Four, check the printer queue and stuck jobs
Printers often appear broken when the real problem is a single document stuck in the queue. That document can prevent everything behind it from printing.
First check the printer itself:
- Is it switched on?
- Does it show an error message or warning light?
- Is there paper in the correct tray?
- Is a cover open or is there a visible paper jam?
- Is the printer connected to the right WiFi network or cable?
- Are you sending the document to the correct printer?
Then check the print queue on the computer. Look for documents marked as paused, failed or pending. If an old job is blocking the queue, cancel it and try a small test document.
On Windows, the queue can usually be opened through Settings, Bluetooth and devices, then Printers and scanners. On a Mac, look under System Settings and Printers and Scanners.
If the queue will not clear, make a note of the document name and any error message. Avoid repeatedly pressing print, as this can create several copies once the queue starts working again.
Five, perform a proper full restart
Closing a laptop lid is not usually the same as restarting it. Depending on the device settings, closing the lid may only put the computer into sleep mode. That can leave a stalled application, update or background service exactly as it was.
Before restarting:
- Save any open documents.
- Close important applications.
- Note any error message on screen.
- Check that colleagues are not using the computer or shared session.
- Use the normal Restart option rather than simply closing the lid.
On Windows, use the Start menu and select the power option followed by Restart. On a Mac, use the Apple menu and choose Restart.
A proper restart reloads the operating system and starts many services again. It can clear temporary application errors, stalled print services and minor connection problems.
If the computer has completely frozen, wait briefly to see whether it responds. A forced shutdown should be a last resort because unsaved work may be lost. If you have to force the device off, tell your IT support team exactly what happened when you contact them.
When these checks are not enough
The five checks are designed to identify straightforward issues. They are not a substitute for proper diagnosis where there are signs of hardware failure, data loss, security problems or repeated faults.
Contact IT support promptly if:
- The device will not power on after checking the supply.
- You smell burning or see physical damage.
- The computer repeatedly crashes or shows a blue or black screen.
- Files have disappeared or will not open.
- You suspect malware, an account compromise or unusual unauthorised activity.
- Several business systems are unavailable.
- The same issue keeps returning after every restart.
- A laptop screen, keyboard, battery or charging port is damaged.
For computer repairs and laptop repairs, it helps to record the device model, the exact symptoms and anything that changed before the problem began. That could be a software update, new cable, dropped laptop, power cut or newly installed application.
What to tell IT support
A clear description saves time. Instead of saying that “the computer is playing up”, try to provide:
- The affected device and user
- The application or service involved
- The time the problem began
- Whether the issue happens every time
- Whether other devices or colleagues are affected
- Any error message or code
- The five checks you have already completed
- What changed shortly before the problem appeared
For organisations looking for IT support for small businesses in Devon, this information is useful whether the issue is handled remotely, at your premises or in a workshop. It helps a technician decide whether the problem is likely to involve a single device, a printer, a user account or the wider network.
The same principle applies to business IT support in Tavistock, business IT support in Plymouth and business IT support in Okehampton. The location matters for arranging practical assistance, but the first step is always understanding the scope of the fault.
How ABC Service can help
If the checks do not resolve the issue, our Computer and IT Support team can help identify the next sensible step. That may be remote support, an on-site visit or an in-house assessment, depending on the equipment and the nature of the fault.
For devices brought into our Tavistock workshop, the Computer Repair Prices page explains how diagnostics and repair work are structured. We aim to provide clear information before work begins, so customers can make an informed decision.
Our in-house workshop is at 69 West Street, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8AJ. If a computer or laptop needs a closer inspection, bringing it to the workshop can be a practical option for local homes and businesses.
Summary and takeaway
Before calling IT support, spend two minutes checking the basics.
- Confirm that the device has power.
- Reseat the important cables.
- Test another device to establish whether the problem is local or network-wide.
- Clear any stuck printer job.
- Use a proper full restart rather than simply closing a laptop lid.
These steps will not fix every fault, but they can resolve simple problems and give your technician a much clearer starting point. The most useful thing you can bring to an IT support conversation is a precise description of what happened, what you tested and what changed.