What to Check Before Calling Tech Support

Before you spend an hour on hold or let someone remote into your computer, there are a few things you can check on your own—and maybe save yourself the hassle (and the bill).

Here’s a quick HomeTech checklist to try before picking up the phone:

🔌 1. Did You Power Cycle It?

It’s the oldest trick in the book because it works.

• Unplug the device for 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and wait.
• This works for routers, modems, TVs, smart hubs—you name it.

📶 2. Check the Cables & Connections

• Loose Ethernet cable? HDMI halfway out?
• Power cords slightly unplugged behind the TV or desk?
• One small disconnection can cause big problems.

Take 30 seconds to trace the cables—seriously.

📱 3. Restart the App or Device

Whether it’s your smart TV, your phone, or your streaming stick:

• Force close the app
• Restart the device
• Reopen and try again

It clears up a lot of bugs, especially with smart tech.

🌐 4. Check for Outages

Before assuming it’s your setup:

• Look up your ISP (like Spectrum, AT&T) and see if there’s a known outage
• If your smart devices aren’t responding, check their status page (e.g., Ring, Blink, Alexa)

⚠️ 5. Know When to Call

If you’ve:

• Rebooted the system
• Checked the connections
• Tried it on another device
• Still can’t get a result…

That’s when it’s time to reach out. And if you’re in Irmo and want a real human who speaks your language—not a robot—I’ve got you.