Whether it’s your phone, your computer or even your smart TV, chances are pretty good that something will go wrong, requiring you to troubleshoot. The device could stop working entirely, apps might crash or just work poorly such as taking too long to load programs or apps, or in the case of a smart TV, having to wait a long time to start watching a show or having the show start and stop.
Restarting
In many cases, the solution is simple. Just restart the device. Restarting clears temporary files, resets connections and gives the operating system a clean slate. Most of the time, it solves whatever is ailing the device.
With PCs and Android phones, there is a restart function. With iPhones, you need to turn them off, wait a few seconds and then turn them on again.
Sometimes it’s necessary to do a “forced restart” if the screen is completely dark and there is no obvious way to turn it off and back on again. With iPhones, you quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo or “slide to power off.” Then wait a few seconds and turn it back on. For Android, you typically just hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds, although on some phones, you may have to also press the Volume button. Holding the power button down for a few seconds will usually force-restart a PC.
Dim screen, misbehaving TVs
Before restarting a device, make sure the problem isn’t something simpler, such as a screen that’s gone extremely dim. This happens to me occasionally when the brightness drops so low that I can’t see anything in normal light. When that happens, I move into a dark room and look closely. If I see even a faint glow, I know the screen is still on and just needs the brightness turned back up.
It’s also worth remembering that smart TVs are computers, too, and they can misbehave just like phones and PCs. Knowing how to restart your TV can save time and frustration, but the steps vary by model. It’s also helpful to know how to restart the TV’s internet connection, which can slow down or stall even when the rest of your home network seems to be working fine.
Apps and network
In theory, there is no need to routinely close smartphone apps, because the operating system is supposed to handle them well in the background and make sure they’re not using energy or hogging resources. But that’s not always the case. When things are not working properly, I sometimes just close my apps and reopen them. That’s especially helpful if a single app stops working properly. Just like restarting the device, restarting the app might solve the problem.
The problem may not be your device at all, but could be your network. That’s why it’s useful to know how to restart your internet gateway (often called a modem) and any routers connected to it. Some can be restarted through a smartphone app, but the old-fashioned method still works. Unplug the gateway and routers, wait 10 to 30 seconds, and then plug them back in. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to call your internet service provider. There might be an outage in your area.
Accounts
Many apps and smart-TV channels depend on accounts to work. Email, cloud storage, social media, streaming services and some apps can stop working if an account becomes locked, out of sync or compromised.
In some cases, the fix is as simple as logging out and logging back in. It may sound obvious, but people often forget passwords after setting them up, so it’s important to keep passwords stored securely and easy to find. Some services, especially premium TV channels, may also ask you to verify your identity by text message or through another trusted device. And if a service suddenly stops working, check your billing information. Accounts can be suspended if a credit card has expired or changed.
System updates
It’s always a good idea to keep your operating systems and software up to date. If your device is working but misbehaving, an update might fix the problem. Even smart TVs and many other devices have occasional updates, so if it’s an option, make sure you have automatic updates turned on.
Storage and memory Phones and computers need breathing room. When storage is nearly full, devices can slow down, and apps can behave unpredictably. Check how much storage you have left, and delete what you don’t need. Photos, videos, old apps and large downloads are common culprits. On computers, crowded hard or solid-state drives or too many programs running at once can also make everything feel sluggish.
Getting help
When something goes wrong that I can’t fix, my first line of defense is to go online to try to find a solution. These days, I often start with ChatGPT or Google Gemini, which almost always provide a solution or two that might work. It’s sometimes right but also often wrong or out of date. My next step is to use Google, which sometimes brings up a definitive article or help section but often leads me to a discussion on Reddit or another forum where people are discussing solutions to the same problem.
Another option is the support section of the website of the company that makes the device or app to check if there’s a solution or a way to get help via phone, chat or email. Some support sites now have their own AI chatbots that allow you to describe the problem in your own words and offer a solution. You can ask the chatbot to connect you to a person, which may or may not work.
Sometimes the fix is a tech-savvy friend or family member, and sometimes the problem solves itself the moment you’re about to give up.
And, to the delight of companies that make money selling you stuff, sometimes the only solution is to trade in that old device for one that actually works.
Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.