Troubleshooting Tablets
2015
First Steps
The key to troubleshooting is to know your tablet. When you open up the box and use the device for the first time, do the following:
Fully charge the device before using. This could take a few hours.
Update the operating system (in the settings). Time has elapsed since the device was built and you are now using it. Chances are the operating system (the program that runs the tablet) has been updated to eliminate bugs and security issues.
Write down:
o The version / generation of device
o The serial number
Open up the “book shelf” app. Chances are, there is a manual or user guide pre- installed that covers how to use your device.
Get familiar with the settings and features.
Get familiar with the different buttons and how they interact with one another.
Once you do the above, you have a better idea already, where to go to fix common issues.
Troubleshooting Gadgets
PROBLEM TRY NOTES Won’t turn on Plug it into Wall & keep charging until battery full Battery could be low or the on/off OR switch is broken. Plugging it in (Button could be broken) Plug it in, turn on usually turns it on. Assistive Touch to bypass faulty switch If it continues not to turn on OR without plugging it in, if under If doesn’t turn on at all after plugging in, warranty, take/send to store. It take/send to store might be the battery or circuit board. Won’t turn off Hold on/off switch down until it powers off An app could be interfering with OR shutdown. After power down, Let battery drain completely then plug into wall turn back on. If won’t turn on, to recharge the on/off button could be broken, wait until battery drains, then plug in. When it turns on, enable assistive touch. If under warranty, take/send to store. Device cannot be Plug it directly into computer and not USB hub The hub might not be powered, seen by computer OR so plug directly into computer. Plug into different USB port USB ports sometimes get OR damaged, try a different port or Unplug device, restart computer, plug device cable. back into computer (not USB hub), turn device on. OR Try a different USB cable Screen is Cracked Return to store if under warranty Hardware is difficult to fix. The OR inside parts are extremely fragile. Find repair shop It is best to get a professional to OR fix it. If it is too expensive or old Find instructions on internet or YouTube and try to fix, you can try to do it to fix it yourself yourself, but be sure to read instructions and have the correct tools before you open the device. Poor battery life Force quit apps running in background Anytime you install, update, or OR open an app, even though you Turn Wifi off when not using it close it, it still runs in the OR background, draining your Completely power down device battery. Forcing the apps to stop can drastically increase the charge of your battery. Clicking the on/off button only puts the device to sleep or on standby. It is still running. Completely power down overnight if you are not using the device. Cannot update or Plug directly into computer USB port and not a The hub might not be powered, backup the device hub so plug directly into computer. OR If you have less than 2GB of Delete some items from tablet and try again memory left in your device, you might not have enough memory to run a backup.
2 An app freezes Force quit the app Apps can be old and need to be OR updated just like software on a Shut off device & try again. computer (i.e. adobe flash, java). There may be times where the If problem continues with the same app: Operating system gets updated Update the app and the App no longer works. Or Try updating the app at a later Update the OS date or download a completely OR newer version. Delete app and reinstall App won’t You may have run out of memory If you have run out of memory, download OR try deleting items from the tablet. Install app on computer first, then sync with Sometimes the tablet is too slow Tablet and installing on a PC first works OR better. Reboot device & try download again Maybe an app is running in the OR background and interfering with Check internet connection the download. App won’t install Update your OS The App might be incompatible OR with your operating system. Check Memory Sometimes updating the OS will bring it up to specs. Sometimes the app only works with older OS, in which case, you may be better off looking for a different app that does the same thing Cannot connect to Check if Wifi is set to “off” on device There are so many different Wifi OR issues that can occur with the Check if “join network” is set to “off” Internet, whether it is a bad login, OR IP addresses not being assigned Check if Airplane mode is on by the router, to a weak signal. OR Retype password If it is a public Network (library, OR hospital, coffee shop), Open browser and “accept” terms of use sometimes you are connected, OR but must agree to the Wifi reboot / power down provider’s terms of use before OR you can access the internet. reboot modem / router This usually requires you to open OR a browser (Safari or Chrome) Disconnect/Delete/Forget network from list & and see if there is a page asking reconnect you to accept or agree to those OR terms. move closer to hotspot Sometimes the network is private OR or hidden. You device might not Remove any case or cover on your device be recognized and therefore the OR network will not appear in the list. Update router firmware Also, if your router is very old, you may need to update its software or get a newer model router.
3 Fixing Hardware issues
Tablets and Smartphones are EXTREMELY delicate. The circuits inside are thin, made of gold (hence the cost), and break easily. Only try fixing the hardware (screen, antennas, on/off switch, home buttons, etc.) if the device is no longer under warranty and you are thinking of buying a new one anyway.
If you plan to fix it yourself, first:
Make sure your device is no longer under warranty.
See if selling or trading it in is a better option.
Check YouTube or iFixit.com for how-to videos.
Watch the video numerous times. If possible, play it while performing the fix.
Write down the instructions step-by-step or find them online.
Buy the correct tools.
Either draw a map of where you are removing the various screws from (all screws are different) or place each screw in a separate dish, labeling clearly which hole the screw belongs to.
When done with repair:
Replace all items/ screws in reverse order, DO NOT MIX UP SCREWS
Turn your device on to see if it works.
If it doesn't work:
o Try to fix again
OR
o Stop & trade it in before you REALLY break it.
4 Finding Fixes
Forums are the best places to find specific information about problems. When searching a forum, look for one with numerous posts, recent posts, contains rankings or ratings for answers, are moderated, and show full URLs.
Some good tools for revealing links are:
“Where Does This Link Go?” http://wheredoesthislinkgo.com/ “LongURL” http://longurl.org/ URL X-Ray: http://urlxray.com/ LinkPeelr: http://linkpeelr.appspot.com/ This is also a Google Chrome add-on
Useful Sites
General:
About.com (Scroll over Tech tab): http://www.about.com/
Android Forums: http://androidforums.com/
Android Tablet Troubleshooting guide: https://www.androidminipad.com/android-tablet- troubleshooting-guide/
Android Tip Guys: http://androidtipguys.com/forum/android-tablets-troubleshooting/
Android Troubleshooting Flowchart: http://lifehacker.com/5958086/fix-android- problems-with-this-troubleshooting-flowchart
Basic Handheld & tablet troubleshooting: http://www.wiki- eostar.com/index.php?title=Basic_Handheld_and_Tablet_Troubleshooting
Droid Views (Android Phones & Tablets): http://www.droidviews.com/
Dummies.com Consumer Electronics page: http://www.dummies.com/Section/Consumer-Electronics.id-323198.html iFixit.com: http://www.ifixit.com/
Phandroid – Android products: http://phandroid.com/
The Tablet Problem - Dealing with multiple accounts – Lifehacker:
5 http://lifehacker.com/5934539/the-tablet-problem
Troubleshooting Tablets & PCs: http://www.tabletpchelp.com/troubleshooting-tablet- pcs.html
iPad / iPhone / iPod
About.com’s iPad Troubleshooting: http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/Basic-iPad-Troubleshooting-Tips.htm
Apple Discussions: https://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa?view=overview
Apple Support: http://www.apple.com/support/
Computer World iPad Troubleshooting: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9197185/Troubleshoot_your_Apple_iPad
Dummies.com iPad: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/iPad.html iMore.com Forums: http://forums.imore.com/ iPad/iPone Manuals: http://support.apple.com/manuals/ iPod Support: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/ iSource: http://isource.com/
MacRumors.com: http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=137
Kindle
Getting started: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375510
Amazon Kindle Fire Users Guide: http://kindle.s3.amazonaws.com/Kindle_Fire_Users_Guide.pdf
Amazon Kindle Fire Support Page: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200939330
How to use Kindle Fire from Dummies.com http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Kindle/Kindle-Fire.html
Kindle Fire Problems from Lovemyfire.com http://www.lovemyfire.com/kindle-fire-problems.html
6 Kindle Fire support: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200127470
Setting up Kindle Fire: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/12/25/kindle-fire-hd-setup-guide/
Nexus
5 Great Tips to Get you Started with the Nexus http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57478840-285/five-great-tips-to-get-you-started- with-the-nexus-7/
40 Tips & Tricks for your Google Nexus http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2012/07/18/40-tips-and-tricks-for-google-nexus-7- tablet/
45 Amazing Tips, Tricks and Hacks for Nexus 7 You Must Learn About http://joyofandroid.com/tips-and-tricks-for-nexus-7/
Getting Started with your Nexus https://support.google.com/nexus/?hl=en#topic=3415518
Nexus 5 Tips and Tricks for Android 5.0 Lollipop http://www.androidpit.com/nexus-5-tips-and-tricks
Nexus 6 Tips and Tricks http://phandroid.com/2014/12/04/nexus-6-tips-and-tricks/
Nexus 7 from Dummies.com http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Nexus-7.html
Nexus 7 Tips, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Nexus-7/Nexus-7-Tips- Maintenance-Troubleshooting.html
Nexus Device Settings https://support.google.com/nexus/topic/3416343?hl=en&ref_topic=3415468
Nook
Nook Support: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/NOOK-Support/379003184
Nook HD Quick Start Guide: http://img1.imagesbn.com/pImages/nook/nook07/mediakit/Quick_Start_Guide_NOOK_ HD_Plus_v3.pdf
7 Nook FAQ Videos, PDFs, and Instructions: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/support-nook-hd/379003759/
Nook Tablet Tips, Tricks and Help at Dummies.com: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer-electronics/Nook-Tablet/Tips-Tricks- Help.html
Ten Most Useful Nook Tips and Tricks at Cnet.com: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57351501-285/ten-most-useful-nook-tips-and- tricks/
Samsung
“7 Useful Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tips” – Cnet: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39- 20095324-285/seven-useful-galaxy-tab-10.1-tips/
“Samsung Galaxy Notes 10.1 Tips & Tricks: http://www.droidviews.com/samsung- galaxy-note-10-1-customization-tips-and-tricks/
Samsung Galaxy Tips: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/consumer- electronics/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab/Tips-Maintenance-Troubleshooting.html
Samsung How-to Guides: http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/howtoguide/supportHowToGuideMain.do
Samsung Support: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/
Windows Surface / RT:
“List of 50 Tips & Tricks for Windows Surface”: http://www.intomobile.com/2013/01/24/tips-and-tricks-windows-surface-owners/
Microsoft Surface Support Page: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support
“Six Tips for Windows 8 Tablet & Laptop Owners: http://www.dummies.com/how- to/content/six-tips-for-windows-8-tablet-and-laptop-owners.html
Troubleshooting windows 8 tablet: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/basic- troubleshooting-on-your-windows-8-tablet.html
Windows RT: http://www.winrtsource.com/category/tips-tricks-and-hacks/
Winsource: http://winsource.com/
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