Troubleshooting Tips
Tips for District-Owned Devices
Startup
Network
General Windows Information
-
File Explorer overview
-
File Explorer allows you to see all the files on your device. The icon is located at the bottom of your screen which looks like a yellow folder in a blue rack next to the search bar in the bottom left.
-
-
Using flash drives
-
Due to a setting when plugging in a flash drive a notification may pop up saying that it is disabled. This can be ignored.
-
Once plugged in, open File Explorer and select your flash drive from the list on the left to access it. It will appear under Local Disk and usually have a letter and colon like “(E:)” to the right of it.
-
-
Start menu and search function
-
You can either click on the windows icon in the bottom left or press the windows key between the CTRL and ALT keys. This will show you a list of installed apps you can also search for a specific app in this menu as well.
-
-
Plugging in headphones and changing the audio output
-
After plugging headphones, if prompted with a dialog box, select that you just plugged in headphones.
-
If headphones still aren’t working, click the Volume icon on the bottom right of the screen, click the arrow above the volume level, and verify that something like “Headphones” is selected as the input.
-
-
Creating desktop shortcuts
-
To create a shortcut to a website on the desktop:
-
First copy the URL from a web browser
-
Right click on the desktop
-
Go to New -> Shortcut
-
Paste the URL in the text box and then
-
-
-
Shutting down and restarting
-
Click the Windows logo on the bottom left hand corner of the screen, and then select the power icon right above the Windows logo. Choose “Shut down” or “Restart.”
-
Office
- Accessing Office 365 (will require a login and password)
- Go to https://www.office.com in web browser (works best with Edge or Firefox)
-
Unlicensed Office (if using desktop apps)
-
Make sure you are connected to internet
-
Enter credentials if prompted
-
Restart computer
-
-
Basic Office functions (creating Docs, accessing OneDrive, etc.)
-
Once logged into the website, select which program you would like to use (OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
-
To create files, once in the program portal, click “New blank document” to create a new document, or revisit a previously created document in the selection
-
All files created within Office 365 are automatically saved to OneDrive if you are connected to the internet
-
To upload files to OneDrive, when the program portal is open, click “Upload” and then follow the prompts to upload the file(s) you would like.
-
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Web Browsers
- Clearing browser data
- Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32050
- Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-your-browsing-history-and-other-personal-data
- Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10607
Troubleshooting
- Touchpad not working
-
-
Try restarting the device.
-
Press the Fn key + number key with the trackpad symbol on it.
-
-
Sound not working (Figure 3)
-
Check the speaker in the bottom right.
-
If there is an X, click the speaker and change volume.
-
If it is still not working, see if there is an arrow you can click above the volume number and try changing the output source.
-
-
-
Adjusting brightness
-
Press and hold the Fn key and then click whichever function buttons on the top row have the sun icons to adjust the brightness.
-
-
Accidentally turning on Tablet Mode (Figure 2)
-
If the layout of the laptop is odd, Tablet Mode may have accidentally been enabled. To disable it, click the speech box in the bottom right hand corner and click Tablet Mode.
-
-
Waking from sleep
-
To wake from sleep, simply press (do not hold) the power button one time.
-
Fixed by shutting down the computer and then powering back on (not restarting) – you may have to do this up to five times to get the WiFi working again.
-
-
Websites not loading/functioning correctly
-
Verify the laptop is connected to WiFi. Try visiting the webpage on another browser. For example, if having problems accessing a website with Firefox, try using Chrome.
-
Laptop-specific information
HP Laptops (EliteBook, ProBook)
- No network card detected (WiFi does not show any available networks, Windows says there is a hardware issue)
-
-
Fixed by shutting down the computer and then powering back on (not restarting) – you may have to do this up to five times to get the WiFi working again.
-
-
No video when trying to use camera
-
Certain HP laptop models have built-in camera covers that may be obstructing the camera. Make sure the physical slider at the top of the screen is not in the position that obscures the camera.
-
-
Waking from sleep
-
If the computer has been left open too long, the laptop lid has been shut, or the “F” key with the moon symbol has been pressed, the computer may be sleeping. You can verify this by seeing the light pulse slowly on the power button.
-
To wake from sleep, simply press (do not hold) the power button one time.
-
Dell 3180
Dell 3180
-
Press down power button firmly, not hard. Come in at more of an angle or press down with your fingernail.
If you continue to experience issues with your district assigned device or any of the district applications, please email tech.services@lok12.org and your request will be routed to the appropriate person to assist you.