Posted: 12th June 2025
Your day-to-day common IT problems may not grind the business to a halt, but they can eat away at your sanity. You know the ones, not quite disruptive enough to take time out to contact your IT support provider, but enough to raise your stress levels.
Well, stress no more, we've pulled together the most common IT problems you’ll face and their simple, quick fixes. Keep these tips handy - they might save your day.
5 common IT problems and how to fix them
#1 My computer is slow
Our first tip is, make sure it is your PC running slow and not your Broadband. If it's websites and online content that are taking forever to load, it may not be due to your computer’s performance at all.
However, if your PC is slow to boot, apps won't load, or the system is generally lagging or freezing, try taking these steps:
1. Disable any programmes that launch automatically that aren't needed
To do this, you need to open the Task Manager (press CTRL+ALT+DELETE).
Choose the STARTUP tab from the left-hand menu.
Select any app you don't need to launch automatically.
Click DISABLE from the top navigation.
2. Run a disk cleanup and delete temporary files
Press the WINDOWS KEY and type DISK CLEANUP in the search bar within the menu.
From here, you will see all the files you can safely delete to free up space.
Select the files you wish to delete, focusing on your Recycle Bin and any Temporary files.
Click OK and let the process run.
3. Scan your PC for malware
Simply run your antivirus software. A good solution will detect and quarantine the malicious code running wild on your device.
#2 Slow downloads
This could be a PC issue, but likely a connectivity problem, so we need to check two things:
1. Perform a speed test on your Broadband
Visit speedtest.net. This is a great online tool that will tell you the download and upload speeds.
It’s reasonable to expect at least 50% of your internet service provider’s advertised speeds, and a ping rate under 100ms.
Anything less, it's a call to your provider (of course, if you're a Jupiter client, we deal with third-party providers for you, so just drop us a line!)
2. Check for downloads running in the background
Check your taskbar and your system tray for any icons you don't usually see.
If you see something new, hover over the icon to see what's going on.
If it's a system or app update, we recommend you let it do its thing. It may not be the most convenient time, but it could also be an essential security patch.
#3 PC keeps restarting
OK, so this can impede your work significantly if you don’t save your work regularly. If it happens once, immediately take these simple steps to resolve the problem:
1. Check if it's not a Windows update
Open SETTINGS.
Go to WINDOWS UPDATE on the left-hand navigation panel.
Here, you'll see an update status - if a recent update has taken place, you've got your cause and peace of mind it won't happen again (today!).
2. Hardware maintenance checks
Pay attention to the noise level of your PC.
If it's particularly loud, give your machines a thorough clean, paying attention to areas where dust has gathered.
Make sure all vents are exposed with space between walls and other furniture. Modern computers are safeguarded against overheating and will automatically shut down if sufficient air isn't circulating through the system.
Take a coffee break to let the system cool, then try a reboot.
#4 Printer failure
Arguably, the most common of IT problems and perhaps the most frustrating. So, tip number one is to take a deep breath... Then:
1. Do a thorough check of the printer
Check the printer for ink level warning lights.
Check the paper tray and output try for jams.
Turn it on and off again... yeah, we said it! Often a standing joke, but a 99.9% sure way to fix a stubborn printer (we made that stat up by the way).
2. Check that the printer is online
Press the WINDOWS KEY and type PRINTERS & SCANNERS in the search bar within the menu.
Click on the relevant device from the list.
Review the PRINTER STATUS. If it's OFFLINE, reconnect it and you should be good to go!
#5 Email attachments won’t open
More often than not, this is purely down to the file type and having the compatible programme on your PC to read it:
1. Check the file type
Look for the three letters that follow the file name. For example, .one (you would need Microsoft OneNote to open this file.)
If you’re unsure of the programme you need, do a quick online search.
If there is no extension after the file name, you’ve found your problem – re-save the file and add the correct extension initials yourself and the document should become accessible.
More than IT Support – we're your IT department
With a Jupiter IT support contract, many of these common IT problems become a thing of the past thanks to our tech training and proactive monitoring.
We’ll never dump new tech on you without showing you and your team the ropes, so you’ll always be confident you’re using your systems to their full capability.
We monitor your systems 24/7, which means many day-to-day issues are resolved before they escalate and, quite often, without you even knowing they were ever there.
If you’d like to learn more about our unique IT support contracts, give us a call; we’ll give you a free audit of your systems and a rundown on how we can make your IT better.
