Time to Troubleshoot

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 Troubleshooting with Windows 10

It happens. And it is frustrating. Sometimes it is as simple as checking to see if the device is plugged in correctly, and sometimes it is a lot more complicated than that. Here are 5 common issues and ways that you can troubleshoot before giving up all hope and purchasing a new device. 😀

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"It says that the Wifi connection is not discoverable."

Simple Solution(s): Check to see if the router is turned on and be sure that you are in range of the network. Consider restarting your computer to re-engage the connection as well. 

Moderate Solution(s): Consider unplugging, waiting a bit, and then replugging in your router to allow it to restart and clear it's memory. Also make sure that your system is up-to-date by typing "Windows Update" into the search bar, checking for updates, and downloading the necessary ones. Check the manufacturer of the network adapter's website to see if it is up-to-date as well, or you can search for a free driver updater tool to check as well. 

Another option may be to right-click the internet connection icon on the taskbar and click "Troubleshoot Problems." This will allow Windows to try to repair the issue for you, or provide additional troubleshooting options. 


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"The touchpad is not responsive."

Simple Solution(s): Have a touchscreen display? Awesome - you'll need it. Don't? - you'll need to find a mouse to plug in. Once you have done so, type "Touchpad Settings" into the search bar. When the settings window opens up, make sure that the toggle switch at the top is ON. 

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"The pictures on the monitor are stretched and do not look right."

Simple Solution(s): Type "Display Settings" into the search bar. Scroll down to "Scale and Layout" and you will see a bar that says "Display Resolution." Use the arrow down button and choose the one that is recommended for your device. For example:
A preview of what it will look like will show up. If it fixes your issue then you will choose "Keep Changes," and if it does not then you will choose for it to "Revert." You may want to try a few of the other display options to see which works best for you; just please note that a value set below 1260x768 will stretch the image and cause it to look distorted. 


Moderate Solution(s): Update your Graphic Driver by typing in "Device Manager" in the search bar and finding "Display Adapters." Expand the list to see the details, right click your graphics driver, and click "update device." 

As always, restart your computer after the update has been done. 

Advanced Solution(s): You may need to uninstall the graphics card driver and then re-install it. To do this: 
  1. Press the Windows key and R at the same time
  2. Type in: devmgmt.msc and click OK
  3. Find Display adapters and expand until you find the graphics card. 
  4. Right click and choose "uninstall device" and then allow it to delete the driver software for the device. 
  5. Restart your computer and allow the system to reinstall the driver. 
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"The cursor moves erratically across the screen."

Simple Solution(s): If possible, test your mouse on another device as this will help clarify if it is an issue with the computer or if it is an issue with the hardware on the mouse (in this case you will want to buy a new one). 

You will also want to make sure that the ports, buttons, and wires are intact and working correctly on the mouse; sometimes it can get dirty and stuck which will cause it to act erratically. If it is a wireless mouse you will also want to make sure that the batteries are not dead. 

Moderate Solution(s): If you have a laptop you will also want to check the touchpad as it is trying to complete the same operations as a mouse at the same time. You can first check to make sure that it is clean, but you may also want to change the settings on the touchpad. To do this you can type "Touchpad Settings" into the search on the taskbar and change the Touchpad Sensitivity. Toggle and check to see if the conditions change.
You may also choose to disable the touchpad or even turn it off when a mouse is connected. This can be done in the same settings window at the very top:


Advanced Solution(s): You may also have to update your Mouse Driver, especially if was not installed or configured properly. Kevin Arrows recommended the following steps in his 2018 article "Fix: Mouse Moving on Its Own on Windows 10":
    
  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run Type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialogue box and hit Enter. This will launch your computer’s device manager.
  2. Navigate to the “Mice and other pointing devices” section and expand it. Here all the devices will be connected. If you see a yellow exclamation mark, it means that the driver for the device isn’t installed properly.
  3. Right click on the device and select “Update driver” from the list of options.
  4. Now select the option “Search automatically for updated driver software”. Now windows will search the internet and install the optimum driver available for your hardware.
  5. If Windows fails to find suitable drivers for your hardware, you can navigate to your manufacturer’s website and download the drivers manually. Then head back to the device manager and after pressing the update command, select “Browse my computer for driver software”. Then navigate to the location where you downloaded the driver and click it.
**Please note: I don't have the ability to run these steps on my school-issued device, so I am taking his word for it! 😊
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"I'm trying to play videos on my computer, but there is no sound."

Simple Solution(s): 
Make sure that your sound isn't on mute. This can be done by clicking the F1 button on your computer to toggle the mute/un-mute, or check to the speaker symbol on the taskbar. If it shows  then your computer is muted. 

Also check the sound output, especially if you have multiple output devices such as speakers or headphones, as it may still be connected. To do this, click the speaker on the taskbar and make sure that the correct output shows at the top, like so: 

If multiple options are available, you will click the output (which is circled in yellow above) and a list of those available will appear. Choose the one you want.  

I know that it sounds redundant, but also make sure that your computer is up-to-date with the latest Windows Updates and that all of your cables, plugs, jacks, headphones, etc. are connected properly. 

Advanced Solution(s): Troubleshoot the output audio device by typing in "Sound Settings" into the search box on the taskbar, verifying the correct audio device, and clicking "Troubleshoot" (as shown below). 

If that doesn't work, check the right click the speakers icon on the taskbar and select "Open Volume Mixer." 
You will see a set of volume controls for each of your devices. If there is a red circle with a line through it at the bottom, then you are muted and you will have to select the volume control to unmute. 
If not, then check your device properties to make sure that it hasn't been disabled. To do this, go to your Sound Settings again (type into the search bar) and click "Device Properties." Make sure that check box is NOT checked. 


Advanced Solution(s): Make sure that your audio driver is up-to-date as problems can arise by drivers that are outdated or malfunctioning. To update your audio driver, open up your Device Manager (type it into the search bar for easy access) and choose the "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers." Expand the list and right-click the device and choose "Update driver." 

If this doesn't work you may have to uninstall your audio driver. In the same Device Manager you will right-click the audio device and select "uninstall device." You will then choose the "delete the driver software for this device" checkbox and then select uninstall. Be sure to restart your computer afterwards. 
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A special THANKS to the following helpful resources that were used to compile this:

Arrows, K. (2018, August 8). Fix: Mouse Moving on Its Own on Windows 10. Appuals.Com. https://appuals.com/mouse-moving-on-its-own-on-windows-10/

Elliott, M. (2020, June 10). Touchpad not working on your Windows 10 laptop? Here’s how to fix it. CNET. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/fixing-windows-10-touchpad-problems/

Microsoft. (2020, March 20). Fix sound problems in Windows 10. Https://Support.Microsoft.Com/En-Us/Help/4520288/Windows-10-Fix-Sound-Problems. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4520288/windows-10-fix-sound-problems

PavithraBhat@TWC. (2018, June 2). How to fix Stretched Screen display problem on Windows 10. The Windows Club. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/stretched-screen-problem-windows


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