Top 10 Signs Your Computer Needs Professional Repair

Is your PC crashing, overheating, or suffering sluggish performance? These symptoms indicate an overworked system or insidious software/hardware issues. While you can probably rectify some problems yourself, others may require professional help.

This post provides a useful computer troubleshooting guide, including advice on when to get a technician on the phone.

Performance Issues & Sluggishness

Computers often perform poorly when overloaded. Compare your hardware against recommended software specifications and stop using overly demanding programs. Multi-tasking hogs memory, so avoid running numerous apps—or browser tabs—at once. An antivirus scan can remove malicious code that could be slowing your computer down.

For detailed information, see our post on how to fix a slow computer. Once you’ve exhausted all options, it’s time to seek professional help.

Freezing & Crashing

When a computer keeps freezing (AKA hangs or crashes), it’s commonly due to clogged temporary files. Restarting your computer will clear the cache (temporary files) and may resolve the problem.

If you only get random PC freezes with one specific app, that particular program is likely to blame. Try updating the software or re-installing it. Corrupt system files and malware can also cause frequent freezes, so run an anti-virus scan and Windows System File Checker/Mac Check Disk Health.

Some crashes are caused by an overheating PC or hardware failures, which a skilled technician can diagnose and resolve.

Unusual Noises from the Computer

Strange noises can only stem from moving parts—either the fans or, if you have one, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Most modern computers have silent Solid State Drives (SSD) with no moving parts. If you’re in team SSD, the weird noise you’re hearing is the fan. Should your computer have an HHD, that worrying sound may indicate an imminent hard drive failure, so backup your data immediately.

Fans can become clogged with dust and debris, which limits their utility and results in groaning sounds. Crack open the case and clear away any dust with a can of compressed air. A technician can help you install a new HDD or fans if required.

Overheating

Excessively noisy fans often indicate overheating. When a computer gets too hot, it will crash and could damage delicate internal components. Blocked ventilation is a common culprit. Ensure there’s sufficient clearance around your vents (three inches will do) and clean up any dust.

Resource-hungry apps—especially games with fancy graphics—also cause overheating. If one specific program gets your computer all hot and bothered, it may be more than your GPU or cooling system can handle. Try turning down the settings or upgrading your PC. A technician can help with the latter.

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

The dreaded BSOD instils fear into the hearts of every computer user. This show-stopping error screen could be due to driver issues or software conflicts but most commonly stems from a hardware malfunction. Googling the BSOD stop code may provide some clues.

For computer system problems, try booting your computer in safe mode, then uninstall any recently installed apps or revert your computer to a previous state. Resolving hardware issues requires a high degree of expertise—a technician can help.

Hardware Failures

Components like your CPU, GPU, RAM, or storage drive can fail at any time, causing your PC to become sluggish or stop working entirely. Resolving these issues prevents data loss and keeps your computer working correctly.

A professional technician can diagnose and repair hardware failures.

Software Errors & Malfunctions

Software applications can become sluggish due to insufficient resources or overheating, which we’ve discussed above. Sudden crashes and frequent error messages may stem from corrupted files, so try updating or re-installing the program. Compatibility issues can also come into play. Check whether the app in question is designed to run on your operating system.

Constant software crashes destroy productivity, so it makes financial sense to get professional computer repairs.

Data Loss or Corruption

Data loss can occur due to physical damage (like spilling coffee on a laptop), accidental file deletion, hardware failures, software corruption, sudden power outages, or malware. Prevention is always better than cure. Keep your workplace clean, run frequent updates (including anti-virus), invest in reliable hardware, and schedule regular backups to avoid losing data in the first place.

Professional data recovery services can often recover those precious missing files.

When Your Computer Requires Professional Repair

Freezing, slow performance, and overheating are common computer repair signs. While it’s cheaper to DIY a solution, not everybody has the requisite skills. Our guide to computer repairs and maintenance offers a slew of computer troubleshooters. 

Should you fail to find a solution, Geeks2U is only a phone call away. We’ll send a skilled technician directly to your doorstep with our famous No-Fix, No-Fee Guarantee. Contact us today.

FAQ

• How to repair a slow computer?

  Try running an antivirus scan, closing unnecessary apps or browser tabs, avoiding resource-hungry apps, or upgrading your hardware.

• Can a computer monitor be repaired?

  It’s usually possible to repair a cracked monitor screen, although a replacement may be cheaper.

• Do computer repair shops need your password?

  Yes. Computer repair shops will ask for a password so they can troubleshoot solutions.

• How much does computer repair cost?

  Geeks2U offers tech support starting from $119 per hour.

• Can a computer motherboard be repaired?

  A skilled technician can usually repair a motherboard, though in some situations, it’s better to replace it.