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.
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