Should equipment fail to turn on, be recognized by your system, or function properly, follow these steps to address some of the most common hardware issues:

  1. Determine that equipment has been assembled correctly, by consulting your product manual or referencing the manufacturer's website.

  2. Confirm that your device is securely plugged in and receiving power. For equipment that relies on an A/C (wall outlet plug) power adapter, you can double-check that the outlet is functioning correctly by plugging in another device and observing if it starts up or begins charging.

  3. Check to see whether equipment is properly connected to your PC by making sure all cables are securely plugged into the correct ports.

  4. Verify that hardware is turned on.

  5. Look for error messages displayed on either the equipment itself (commonly found on a small LCD screen) or on your desktop. Solutions for many of these can be found in your product manual or by checking this comprehensive database.

  6. Install or reinstall drivers for the device in Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Windows automatically searches for drivers when new devices are connected and notifies you of any available updates. It may be necessary to manually install them yourself, if these files are contained directly on the device, on a CD/DVD sold with the equipment, or on the manufacturer's website. To activate setup, just double-click on the driver installation program. You may need advice for Windows 7 or Windows Vista if the installation program fails to run.

  7. Confirm that you're using the latest drivers for your hardware. Manufacturers routinely issue patches to correct errors and inconsistencies that users encounter. To do so, simply use Windows Update, visit the Microsoft Download Center, or check the Download or Support section of the manufacturer's website.

  8. Reboot your system and test the device again.

  9. Consult Microsoft Help and Support, the Windows Community, or the manufacturer's website for assistance. The following resources also offer solutions to common problems with popular devices, including: