Comptia A+ 1001 Troubleshooting

Dim image

This irregularity often has something to do with brightness settings on the display or with adapter issues.

Burn-in

This is caused when images stick on the screen and become permanent parts of the display. It could be caused by stuck pixels.

Proprietary crash screens (BSLO/pin wheel)

This is known as the "blue screen of death." On Windows, this is a stop error, and on Apple, you will get a continuous pinwheel on the screen. This typically indicates a fatal failure, such as a CPU dying or a burned-out part.

Mobile: Intermittent wireless

Where is this occurring? It could be spotting signals based upon your distance from the tower (or antenna).

LAN: File Sharing

requires network access to the file server and correct sharing configuration. Is the file server accessible with a ping test? Is there an error message when trying to access the shares? Is it an authentication or access error?

Overheat shutdown

A shutdown of this sort could be due to problems with the video card or blocked airways for ventilation.

LAN: APIPA/link local address

APIPA are special addresses that can be used when there's no DHCP service on the network. In most cases, if the device tries to connect to the network but gets an APIPA (169.254.x.x IP address), that means that there's no working DHCP server on the network. Is the DHCP server working and configured correctly? Is DHCP running out of available addresses? Alternatively, configure IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway manually, accordingly to your network and router addresses. On wireless networks, it may be caused by wrong Wi-Fi password. Reconfigure the network with the correct password.

Mobile: Apps not loading

Are there any error messages when loading the app? Are there enough free system resources to run the app? Is it the latest version of the app? Does reinstalling the app help?

Mobile: Frozen System

Are there many apps and processes running on the device? Is it low on battery? Is it very hot? Does it respond to a hard reset procedure?

Mobile: Overheating

Are there many apps and processes running on the device? Is there dust or debris blocking the cooling vents? Is the device in direct sunlight?

Mobile: Slow performance

Are there many apps or processes that run at the same time? Are there enough free system resources? Does the hardware meet the system requirements of the software running?

Printers: Multiple failed jobs in logs

Are there specific errors on these jobs that can direct to the troubleshooting steps (such as toner, paper, access issues)? This may be due to spooler issues. Restart the spooler service. Try disabling spooler and print directly to the printer, with no queueing.

Mobile: GPS not functioning

Are you located outside a building with a clear view of the sky? Does restarting the device help? Are location services enabled in the device settings?

Printers: Unable to install printer

Are you using the correct drivers for your operating system? Consult with the printer's documentation or support website to check for current, compatible drivers.

Blank screen on bootup

BIOS or CMOS battery issues can be the root of this problem. Also check video signals.

Log entries and error messages

Can indicate a variety of issues from improper credentials to failing hardware.

Printers: Printer will not print

Check printer power, status messages, connectivity. If everything seems right, but it wouldn't print, check the spooler service on the printing computer. Does restarting the spooler service help? Disable the spooler to print directly to printer.

Printers: Faded prints

Check toner or ink levels. Try replacing the cartridges with new ones, of known good quality. Check printing settings. Are there any ink saving settings enabled that may reduce the amount of ink or toner used?

Printers: Color prints in wrong color

Color printers use base colors to create shades of all other colors. Wrong color is usually due to one of the ink or toner cartridges being empty or malfunctioning. Print a test page to rule out software configuration issue. Replace the cartridges with known good ones.

Incorrect color patterns or Flickering Image

Damaged cables or a damaged connection port on the PC may be responsible for this malfunction.

Printers: Access denied

Does the computer user have the system permissions to print? Try printing as a different user, and modify the user permissions to allow printing.

Printers: Error codes

Error codes would direct you to the issue, usually with paper, ink or toner, or memory. Troubleshoot these errors accordingly.

Intermittent device failure

Hardware is usually responsible for this, in the form of a bad hardware installation, overheated components, hardware going bad, or hardware not fully connected to motherboard.

No power

Power outlet or power supply issues are usually the cause of this.

Printers: No connectivity

For a printer that is directly connected to the computer you're using to print: is it turned on? Is it connected correctly with a good cable? Have the drivers been installed? For a printer on a network: follow network troubleshooting steps. Is the printer connected to the network, can it be reached by other computers on the same network? Have the drivers been installed on the computer?

LAN: Email

If the Internet connectivity works, but the email application doesn't, it's possibly due to misconfigured settings. Verify the email settings. Check to see if the email service has a Web interface that can be reached to verify that the service is operational.

Oversized images and icons

If the resolution of the monitor does not match the system settings, this can be the result.

LAN: SSID not found

If you have previously configured a Wi-Fi network, but now the SSID is not working, you're either out of range of the access point with this network or the access point configuration has been changed and the SSID is no longer available. Reconfigure the Wi-Fi connection to an existing SSID.

Mobile: No Bluetooth connectivity

Is Bluetooth enabled on the device? Is Bluetooth set to discoverable mode? Are the devices within range? Is the device paired with the right code? Is the Bluetooth device on and is the battery charged?

Mobile: Unable to decrypt email

Is S/MIME enabled on the device? Can this email be successfully decrypted on another device?

Mobile: Ghost cursor/pointer drift

Is cursor drifting when you're not controlling it? Is there another pointing device connected, like a wireless mouse? Is your mouse or trackpad dirty or physically damaged?

Mobile: Num lock indicator lights

Is it a problem or a desired function by the user, trying to use the additional number keys? Some portable devices that don't have full keyboard combine key functions. If you can't find the Num Lock key, check if there's a FN key that would allow engaging the Num Lock light.Is Num Lock enabled by default in BIOS settings?

Mobile: Swollen battery

Is it an old or low quality replacement battery? Was the right charger used to charge it?

LAN: Printers

Is it connected to the network? Can it be reached by other computers on the same network? Have the correct drivers have been installed on the computer?

Mobile: Cannot display to external monitor

Is it connecting to the monitor with the cable or wirelessly? Is it a good known cable? Is the external monitor set to show the right source of signal? If it is a wireless connection, are devices paired? If they cannot pair, do devices support the same wireless casting protocols and technologies?

Mobile: Battery not charging

Is it plugged in to a proper power receptacle? Is the cable frayed or damaged any other way? Is it an original manufacturer cable or aftermarket cable?

Mobile: No power

Is the battery charged? Does it work when connected to an AC power supply? Is it stuck in hibernation? Does it respond to a hard reset procedure?

Mobile: Extremely short battery life

Is the battery swollen or very hot? Is the battery old? Is the right charged being used to charge the battery? Are there many apps and processes running on the device?

Printers: No image on printer display

Is the printed connected to a good power source and turned on? Try reconnecting the power. If there's still no display on the printer's LCD screen, the screen or the printer may be malfunctioning.

Printers: Backed-up print queue

Is the printer jammed or doesn't have paper or ink to print? This may be a spooler issue. Does restarting the printer or the printing computer clear the queue?

Mobile: Touchscreen non-responsive

Is the screen dry and clean? Are you using clean, dry fingers, with no gloves on the screen? Does the device react to any other hardware inputs or frozen?

Mobile: No sound from speakers

Is the volume level set not too low and not muted? Is there a hardware mute switch on the device? Is it paired with a Bluetooth speaker or have headphones connected?

Mobile: No wireless connectivity

Is the wireless network available and working with another wireless device? Is Wi-Fi enabled on the device? Is Wi-Fi network configured with the right password?

LAN: Low RF Signal

On wireless networks, this may be caused by weak signal or radio interference. Are you too far from the Wi-Fi access point? Is connectivity more stable when you're closer to the access point? To avoid interference, access points can change the used radio channel frequency. Try restarting the access point to allow it re-select the channel. Try manually reconfiguring the channel.

LAN: Intermittent connectivity

On wireless networks, this may be caused by weak signal or radio interference. Are you too far from the Wi-Fi access point? Is connectivity more stable when you're closer to the access point?To avoid interference, access points can change the used radio channel frequency. Try restarting the access point to allow it re-select the channel. Try manually reconfiguring the channel. On wired networks, it may mean wiring problem or intermittent power issues in the network equipment.

LAN: Slow transfer speeds

On wireless networks, this may be caused by weak signal or radio interference. Are you too far from the Wi-Fi access point? Is transfer speed higher when you're closer to the access point? On both wireless and wired networks, number of other concurrent transfers may be causing the slowness. The network is usually shared between multiple devices that share the available bandwidth.

Mobile: Flickering display

Perform a "Hard Reset" (based on the equipment manufacturer). Is the device warm to the touch? Has it been in the sun for an extended period of time?

Printers: Low memory errors

Printer has internal memory to store and manage the print jobs. Is the printing document very large, has a lot of pages, or high-resolution graphics? Try reducing the source file. Some printers may allow increasing memory by adding the hardware RAM internally.

Overheating

Problems with the fan, heat sink, dust accumulation, or something blocking the air circulation can all cause this

Printers: Vertical lines on page

Similar to streaks troubleshooting, these may be caused by toner or ink residue. Ensure that the internals are clean and the cartridge is not leaking.

Distorted image

The system settings on your OS may be responsible for a distorted image. The refresh rate or resolution may be at fault.

Slow performance

This can indicate that a drive has already failed or that there are errors on the drive files. There may also be issues with virtual memory.

Proprietary crash screens

This could be caused by faults in the OS system files.

Failure to boot

This failure could be a hardware or software issue, depending on what stage the boot process gets to before it happens. Check in BIOS settings for removable devices such as USB drive. Cables and connectors can also cause the problem.

Printers: Creased paper/Paper not feeding/Paper Jam

There are many reasons to frequent or sporadic paper jams. The reasons can be categorized as related to the paper or to the printer hardware. Ensure that the paper size and weight used are as recommended by the printer's manufacturer. Try using a new, dry pack of good quality paper. Don't load too much paper at once. Bend the stack of paper to separate sheets before loading. If the problem is not with the paper, then the printer hardware needs to be checked. Check to see if the printer has been maintained per the manufacturer's recommendations. Some printers have a page counter and recommendations on replacing specific internal parts to prevent paper jams. If the jams are very frequent, check for broken parts in the feeding path.

Read/write failure

This indicates a dying hard drive and could happen if the read/write head crashes.

Distended capacitors

There could be a defective capacitor from manufacturer or overheating inside the case (bad fan)

Printers: Streaks

These are usually caused by ink residue. Follow the printer's cleaning procedure. This may include physical cleaning of internal parts of a printer, or a cleaning process that can be triggered by the printer's software. Try printing a test page—are there streaks, too? Sometimes streaks may be caused by the scanning part of a copier, not being a printing problem.

Unexpected shutdowns

These can be caused by hardware that's failing or by adding new hardware that's incompatible.

Artifacts

These could be caused by problems with the adapter or video drivers.

Continuous reboots

These could be related to BIOS problems or OS problems. Problems with a bad driver may also be responsible.

BIOS time and setting resets

These indicate a problem with the BIOS CMOS battery.

System lockups

They can be caused by something freezing up the operating system, such as a bad system or application process, or by using old software or driver versions. Maxed-out RAM can also cause this.

Loud noise

This can be a result of loose hardware or issues with the hard drive.

Loud clicking noise

This can be caused by a mechanical failure within the drive itself.

Attempts to boot to incorrect device

This can be caused by a problem with the boot settings within the BIOS.

Fans spin—no power to other devices

This can be caused by a problem with the motherboard. Also check the power supply.

No image on screen

This can happen if there is a cabling issue, or a connection is not seated properly.

RAID stops working

This can happen in any RAID array that does not mirror data. It is usually caused by one of the drives failing.

LAN: IP conflict

This can happen when you're configuring an IP address manually, and this address already exists on the network. Configure the device to get an IP address automatically if there's a DHCP server on the network. If there's no DHCP server, configure a different address manually.

Printers: Printing blank pages

This is usually an ink or toner quantity or quality issue. Rule out a software configuration issue by printing a test page. Check if the cartridges are not empty and not dried out due to lack of use. Replace with new, good cartridges.

Dead pixels

This issue is typically related to the hardware, or the monitor itself. Replacement of the display is usually necessary to correct it.

Printers: Ghost images

This may happen only on laser printers due to self-cleaning problem. Try replacing the drum.

Printers: Garbled characters on paper

This may mean a software or connection issue. Are correct drivers installed? Is the printer connected firmly with a good cable? Is there enough RAM free on the printer?

Printers: Toner not fused to the paper

This may only happen on laser printers due to a fuser problem. Try replacing the fusing roller or the fuser lamp.

OS not found

This message indicates a software issue with loading the operating system.

VGA mode

This mode is similar to Safe Mode but for display issues. The PC boots with the minimum video drivers in use, which is helpful for troubleshooting.

RAID not found

This problem could be caused by issues with the RAID controller or the management software.

S.M.A.R.T. errors

This stands for Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, and it includes multiple error categories known as SMART statistics. These can proactively see issues before a drive fails completely.

Distorted geometry

This variance could be caused by display settings, video card issues, or magnetic interference.

Drive not recognized

Typically, this indicates a hardware issue with one of the drives. This could be a failed component, a data corruption issue, or an error in BIOS settings.

Mobile: Dim Display

Verify display settings are at factory settings prior to attempting to diagnose this symptom.

Mobile: Sticking keys

Verify that no liquid or sticky food products have come in contact with the device.

Mobile: No display

Was the device dropped? Does the device power on (as evidenced by the power indicator, if equipped). Is the device charged?

Smoke or a Burning Smell

a bad capacitor or a burned-out hardware piece can be the culprit.

POST code beeps

are associated with hardware components required to successfully boot the system. The cause of these could be problems with BIOS configuration or hardware.

Indicator lights

can inform you of certain problems going on with computer hardware or tell if there is activity or power coming from a certain connection point. Consult the computer's documentation for more information about this.

LAN: No connectivity

check that the server you're trying to reach is connected and working. Can you reach this resource from another computer on the network? Can you reach the network from this server or is it disconnected?