Although I am fairly good at navigating my way around the internet (I’ve even learned quite a bit of HTML coding for my blog), I am essentially worthless when it comes to “fixing” any type of faulty, broken, or malfunctioning technology.
Thankfully, I’m good at following instructions, so I can watch a YouTube video or call customer service for help!
That said, over the years, I have learned one super simple, super frugal, quick fix for faulty technology that has worked over and over and over again for me…
Shutdown and Unplug Your Device!
I know… it sounds totally lame and not very “techie” at all. But you would not believe how many times this simple piece of advice has worked for me!
I’m to the point now that whenever any piece of technology, any gadget, or even any appliance is acting up, the very first thing I try is to shut it down (or turn it off) and completely unplug the item from any power source (this would include removing any batteries).
A Few Examples:
- My phone battery was draining SO quickly, even after troubleshooting via support forums on the internet. Then I completely shut down the phone, waited a minute or two, turned it back on… and (just like magic) no more battery issues!
- My desktop computer was running slowly and my pictures weren’t transferring over from my phone. I shut it down, unplugged the power cord for a minute, plugged it back in, and things were back up and running smoothly again.
- Our microwave was acting up… until I unplugged it and plugged it back in again.
- Our printer wasn’t feeding the paper correctly even after I verified I had it in the tray correctly. I simply shut it down, unplugged it, and started over again — no more paper problems!
- Our Chromecast kept “disconnecting” in the middle of watching a show and I’d have to reconnect it and start the whole process over again. However, after unplugging the Chromecast from our TV and then plugging it back in again, it now stays connected.
- Our wireless internet router periodically has various problems sending and receiving a signal. I wasted so much time on hold with customer service until I got smart and simply unplugged it, waited 30-60 seconds, and plugged it back in again.
I realize this is so simple you might not believe it could work — but I actually talked with an AppleCare Support tech about a year ago, and they verified that unplugging a piece of technology is actually a very good way to “fix” any weird issues.
Apparently, so many of our electronics have computerized elements inside, and unplugging them is one REALLY SIMPLE way to “reset” those internal computers again.
Of course, this quick fix won’t work for every tech issue you encounter — but considering it’s completely free, super easy to do, and only takes a few seconds, it’s probably worth a shot the next time you experience an issue with your technology!
Related Reading:
Another quick fix for electronic devices is learning how to remove battery corrosion. The process is super quick and painless and it’s SO much cheaper than buying new electronics!
CNieman says
Yes!! I have even done this with my car! A few months back there was suddenly no audio in my vehicle when I started it one morning. I did an online chat with a mechanic and he advised me to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes and then reconnect it – problem solved!
Andrea says
wow — good to know!
Jenny says
This seems amazing, but I don’t understand any technology or engineering at all, although I have tried! My thought was: does she mean she takes the battery out of her iPhone? (which looks like it would be hard to do.) I guess you mean you just turn it off? Same with iPads and stuff?
So, if turning things off works so well, I’m wondering if there is a protocol or rule for MAINTAINING, instead of FIXING- like if once a week I shut everything down overnight, would that PREVENT problems? Or should it be daily, or monthly? Should I unplug appliances periodically even if they don’t have problems?
I have heard we should not let our phone batteries ever get to 100% or down to 0%, because that’s hard on the battery, but don’t know if it’s true. I’ve also heard to never charge battery unless its almost empty, but I have to plug my phone in to the car now every time, so???
My young nephew who is one of my “go-to” people for these questions, since my Dad died, says he shuts everything down every night. If anyone actually has knowledge/facts about this, rather than just opinions, or thoughts, I would like to know…
Pat says
I have an iPhone 7. It gets crazy every few weeks. I shut it down, wait a few minutes and start it back up and it works fine again for a few more weeks. We used to take the battery out but you can’t do that anymore.
Debra Martin says
Every time I call the Apple Tech out line…they ask if I have turned off the item and let it rest a bit. Now I know the off button and the breaker box can save phone calls and repair visits, not always, but often!
Good post!
blinkbonnie says
This worked for my 13 yr old dishwasher. It stopped and wouldn’t run thru a cycle. I called the repair man and he explained how to reset the control panel. It still didn’t work and he said to shut off the breaker, wait overnight and try again and it works fine now.
Andrea says
wow — that’s great! Saved you a bunch of money I’m sure!
Veneta | Becoming Life Smart says
That’s a very good point, Andrea! I’ve done this before but never thought about it as an actual strategy to fix something. I’m going to make a point of trying this first anytime I have an issue with faulty technology. 🙂
Andrea says
sometimes the simplest things are the most effective — I love it when that happens!
Erin M says
I did this with my clothes dryer within the last few months. It wasn’t staying on after I let pressure off the power button. After unplugging it and plugging it back, we’re back in business!
Andrea says
oh yeah, I’ve had to do it with my washing machine before too!
JJ says
Yesss!!! Haha!!!! One time I called my dad crying from college because my printer wasn’t printing. He asked if I had put in a nww cartidge, and I told him I had. He then asked if I had taken the clear “tape” off the bottom of the cartidge. Nope! A simple fix! Great post!
Andrea says
oh the drama of faulty technology! I’ve definitley shed my fair share of tears over technology that I can’t get to work!
JJ says
That is totally understandable! Especially with an online job, it’s a necessity for cooperative technology! My online job requires video chats with my students(every time!), so it is stressful when things aren’t up and running. Actually this morning I had an issue with my mic, so I pulled it out and plugged in again and then restarted. Phew! I thought of your post!
Andrea says
oh wow — I always shy away from video things because I feel like so many things can go wrong! Glad you got your video up and running!
Lee Cockrum says
I just had to do this for my next door neighbor’s television! She called to say that she couldn’t get it to turn off, or to turn on. (That made me scratch my head as I figured that off or on were the only 2 available options!) It turned out that the screen was frozen! I guess that is sort of a third option between off and on! Thankfully the unplug and replug after about 10 seconds worked like a charm! Made me look amazing!
Andrea says
haha — you’re the hero!
Meghan says
At my work, you don’t dare call IT until you shut down your device. Nothing is more embarrassing than sitting next to the IT guy while he shuts down your computer and “fixes” the problem.
Jean says
This reminds me of another quote which makes me smile because it is so true:
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
― Anne Lamott
Andrea says
this is great! Thanks for sharing Jean!
Susie says
Makes sense. Batteries are DC power and the electric grid is AC power (if l got them right)… Thomas Edison vs Tessla. My husband is the technical one and says batteries are a big disruption to the grid. Lol, here I sound like I know something and I should look it up to make sure my facts are right.
Andrea says
wow — you do sound very knowledgeable! Who cares if your facts are a little off 🙂
Caroline says
This reminds me of the British television show, The IT Crowd. The running bit is that every phone call is answered “Hello, IT. Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
So simple, yet so effective.
Laura says
I was JUST going to post this! 😉
Amy says
Ha ha ha! That is awesome!
Andrea says
haha — I haven’t heard of that show, but it’s GREAT advice!!
JoDi says
LOL – IT Pro here, and that is the first thing we ask people. It fixes the majority of problems.
Andrea says
oh good — glad to know I’m not alone and that even the pros recommend this tip!! 🙂
Brandette Winblad says
GREAT Show! My husband is an avid techie, so the running line from the show “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?” is a common saying in our house. We find it so funny.