Help and Support
Las Vegas Computer Support — Common Problems & Self-Help Guides
For the fastest response, call or text us directly. If you want to try solving it yourself first, our step-by-step guides cover the most common problems.
Self-Help Guides
Common problems, step-by-step.
Try these steps before calling. If none of them work, we are one message away.
Windows / OS Won't Boot
⚠
Do not attempt repairs yourself. If your computer mentions a hard drive error or fails to load Windows, every attempt risks permanent data loss.
1
Stop and note the error. Write down or photograph any error message on the screen exactly as it appears.
2
Do not keep restarting. Repeated boot attempts on a failing drive can overwrite or corrupt data that we may otherwise be able to recover.
3
Do not run any repair tools. Built-in tools like Startup Repair or chkdsk can make data recovery harder if the drive is physically failing.
4
Call or text us immediately. The sooner we hear from you, the better your chances of getting your data back. Time matters.
Your data may be at risk — contact us now.Call us immediately →
Computer Will Not Turn On
1
Check the power cord. Firmly plugged in at both the wall and the back of the computer?
2
Test the outlet. Plug a lamp or phone charger into the same outlet to confirm power.
3
Check your power strip. Is it switched on? Has the reset button tripped?
4
Unplug all extras. Remove USB drives and external monitors. Try with just the essentials.
5
Hold power button for 10 seconds. Force a shutdown, then press once normally to restart.
Still will not turn on?Text us now →
Running Slow
1
Restart the computer. A full restart clears temporary files and resets memory. Not just sleep, a full restart.
2
Check for updates. Open Settings → Windows Update. Pending updates can cause slowdowns while running in the background.
3
Check disk space. Open File Explorer and check your C: drive. If it is under 10% free, that will cause slowdowns.
4
Check what is running. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Look for anything using high CPU or memory.
5
Call us. Slow apps or PCs can be caused by many things. Call us for in-depth help.
Still running slow?Call us now →
No Internet Connection
1
Restart your router and modem. Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, then the router. Wait 2 minutes.
2
Check other devices. Is your phone connected? If other devices also have no internet, it is a router or ISP issue, not the computer.
3
Forget and reconnect to WiFi. Click the WiFi icon, find your network, select Forget, then reconnect and re-enter the password.
4
Run the network troubleshooter. Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Internet Connections. Often catches adapter issues.
5
Try a wired connection. Plug directly into the router with an ethernet cable. If that works, the issue is the WiFi adapter or signal.
Still no connection?Text us now →
Printer Not Working
1
Check the basics. Is the printer on? Paper loaded? No error lights on the printer itself?
2
Clear the print queue. Open Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers. Click your printer, then Open Print Queue and cancel all jobs.
3
Restart the Print Spooler. Search for Services, find Print Spooler, right-click and choose Restart.
4
Set as default printer. In Printer Settings, right-click your printer and Set as Default. Sometimes jobs route to the wrong printer.
5
Reinstall the printer. Remove the printer from Settings, unplug and replug the USB, and let Windows reinstall drivers automatically.
Printer still broken?Text us now →
Locked Out or Forgot Password
1
Check Caps Lock. The most common reason passwords fail. Make sure it is off.
2
Try your Microsoft account password. Most Windows machines use your Microsoft email. Reset at account.microsoft.com from your phone.
3
Use other sign-in options. On the login screen, look for Sign-in options to try a PIN instead.
4
Stop after 3 or 4 attempts. Too many wrong tries can lock you out for hours. Stop and reach out instead.
5
Call us. Lockouts are very common and we can get you back in quickly. We may need to visit on-site.
Still locked out?Call us now →
Email Not Working
1
Check your internet connection. Open a browser and try loading a website. No internet means no email.
2
Check for "Working Offline" in Outlook. Look at the very bottom of the Outlook window. Click Send/Receive to toggle it off.
3
Fully close and reopen Outlook. Not just minimize, close completely and relaunch. Fixes most sync issues.
4
Try webmail. Go to outlook.office.com in your browser. If email works there, the problem is the Outlook app.
5
Check for an expired password. If webmail also fails to log in, your password may have expired. We can reset it quickly.
Still not working?Text us now →
Screen or Display Issues
1
Check the cable. Unplug and firmly reseat the HDMI or DisplayPort cable at both ends — the monitor and the computer.
2
Check the monitor input. Press the input or source button on your monitor and make sure it matches the cable you are using.
3
Restart the computer. A full restart resets the display drivers and often clears flickering or resolution issues.
4
Update display drivers. Right-click the Start menu, open Device Manager, expand Display Adapters, right-click your GPU and select Update Driver.
5
Test with a different cable or monitor. If the issue follows the monitor, it may be the screen. If it follows the computer, it is likely the GPU or drivers.
Still having display problems?Text us now →
Computer Keeps Crashing or Freezing
1
Check for overheating. Make sure vents are not blocked and the fan is running. Dust buildup inside is a very common cause of crashes.
2
Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings → Windows Update and install anything pending. Crashes are sometimes caused by outdated system files.
3
Run a memory check. Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic in the Start menu and run it. Faulty RAM is a leading cause of random freezes.
4
Check the hard drive. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run chkdsk /f. A failing drive will cause frequent crashes and data loss if left unchecked.
5
Look up the error code. After a crash, Windows often shows a blue screen with a stop code. Search that code online to narrow down the cause.
Still crashing?Call us now →
Suspicious Pop-Ups or Possible Virus
1
Do not call any phone number shown. Legitimate warnings from Microsoft or your antivirus never include a phone number to call. These are scams.
2
Close the browser or pop-up. Press Alt+F4 or open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and end the browser process entirely.
3
Run Windows Security. Open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a Full Scan. Let it complete before doing anything else.
4
Check installed programs. Go to Settings → Apps and look for anything you do not recognize. Uninstall anything unfamiliar.
5
Change your passwords. If you think malware was present, change passwords for email, banking, and any accounts you use on that machine.
Think you have a virus?Call us now →
No Sound or Audio Issues
1
Check the volume. Look at the speaker icon in the taskbar, make sure it is not muted and the volume is turned up.
2
Check the right output device. Click the speaker icon, then the arrow next to the volume bar. Make sure the correct speakers or headphones are selected.
3
Restart the Windows Audio service. Search for Services, find Windows Audio, right-click and choose Restart.
4
Update audio drivers. Open Device Manager, expand Sound, Video and Game Controllers, right-click your audio device and select Update Driver.
5
Run the audio troubleshooter. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Playing Audio and let Windows attempt to detect and fix the issue.
Still no sound?Text us now →
Windows Updates
1
Do not interrupt an update in progress. If you see "Working on updates, do not turn off your PC," leave it alone.
2
Give it time. Some updates take 30 minutes or longer, especially after a long gap. A progress percentage that seems stuck is usually still working.
3
Restart when prompted. If Windows is asking to restart to finish an update, save your work and let it. Delaying this can cause slowdowns and security gaps.
4
Not sure if you are up to date? Go to Settings → Windows Update and click Check for Updates. We recommend doing this once a month.
5
Let us handle it. Updates are one of the easiest things to get wrong and one of the most important to get right. Text us and we will take care of it.
Want us to handle your updates?Text us now →