Tech Tip Tuesday Archives - Geeks on Wheels https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/category/tech-tip-tuesday/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:36:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/logo.png Tech Tip Tuesday Archives - Geeks on Wheels https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/category/tech-tip-tuesday/ 32 32 217137899 Troubleshooting Printer Problems https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/printers/troubleshooting-printer-problems/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:36:50 +0000 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=19668

Printers. Just saying the word is enough to make some people sigh deeply and stare into the distance. Do you find yourself asking, “Why does my printer say it’s offline? Why does nothing happen when I click print? Why are my prints faded and streaky? How do I fix my paper jam?” One minute they’re behaving, the next they’re flashing mysterious lights, claiming they’re “offline”, or simply refusing to acknowledge that you click print at all. No one likes silly printer problems!

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Printers are easily one of the most common tech troubles we see, and the good news is that many of the most annoying issues have surprisingly simple fixes. So before you threaten to do some not-so-nice things to your printer, let’s walk through the most common printer problems and what you can try at home first!

“My printer says it’s offline” (but it’s clearly turned on)

This is the number one printer complaint we hear, and it usually comes down to one thing: your printer and your computer are no longer talking to each other. This can happen after a power cut, a Wi-Fi change, or if the printer has been sitting unused for a while.

Start with the basics:

  1. Check that the printer is turned on and has a light or screen showing
  2. Look at your Wi-Fi router and make sure it’s turned on with the correct lights showing
  3. Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on
  4. Turn your computer or laptop off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on

Once everything is back on, give it a minute to reconnect and then try printing again. You’d be amazed at how often this alone fixes the problem. If it doesn’t, the printer may need to be reconnected to the Wi-Fi. If that still doesn’t work, it might be time to call in a tech to save your sanity!

USB Cable or Ethernet Cable?

USB & Ethernet Cables

You can connect printers in a few different ways, and this is where things often get confusing. Some printers can have some pretty vague instructions.

A USB cable connects the printer directly to one computer. One end plugs into your computer (flat and rectangular), and the other end plugs into the printer (usually more square-shaped). This setup is common when the printer sits right next to the computer, and only one person uses it.

An Ethernet cable connects the printer to your modem or router, so multiple devices can print to it. Both ends look the same and clip in firmly, similar to a phone plug but wider.

A quick way to tell what you’re using:

  1. If the cable runs from the printer to the computer, it’s a USB Cable
  2. If the cable runs from the printer to the internet box on the wall or shelf, it’s an Ethernet cable
  3. If no cable is plugged in at all, the printer is likely using or trying to use Wi-Fi

If your printer suddenly goes offline, checking where the cable goes and making sure it’s pushed in properly is an excellent first step!

I click Print, and absolutely nothing happens

Paused Printer

Few things are more confusing than a printer that fails silently. No error message, no warning, just nothing. Just stuck with one of the more confusing printer problems.

First, check the basics (power, paper, cables), then restart both the printer and the computer. If that doesn’t help, the printer may be paused or set to offline.

On Windows:

  1. Click Start
  2. Open Settings
  3. Go to Bluetooth & devices
  4. Select Printers & scanners
  5. Choose your printer
  6. Click Open print queue
  7. Click the Printer menu at the top
  8. Make sure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked
  9. Make sure “Pause printing” is unchecked

On macOS:

  1. Open System Settings
  2. Click Printers & Scanners
  3. Select your printer
  4. Look at the button near the top right of the window
  5. If you see a play icon, click it to resume printing
  6. If jobs are stuck, open the printer queue and resume or cancel them

Faded, streaky, or missing colours

Printer Colour Test

If your pages look washed out, patchy, or have lines running through them, the problem is usually ink or toner-related, but that doesn’t always mean you need to replace anything straight away! This is one of the most common printer problems we see!

Try this first:

  1. Check the printer for any ink or toner warnings
  2. Remove the ink cartridges gently and place them back in firmly
  3. Look for a clean or maintenance option on the printer screen or computer
  4. Print a test page after cleaning

Power Flush (also called Deep Clean)

If a normal clean doesn’t help, many printers have a more thorough option called a Power Flush or Deep Clean. This forces ink through the print head at higher pressure to clear blockages, dried ink, or air bubbles.

This is especially useful if the printer hasn’t been used for a while. It does use more ink, so it’s best saved for when prints are clearly missing colours or heavily streaked.

The steps vary slightly by brand, but usually look like this:

  1. Open Bluetooth & Scanners on your computer
  2. Select your printer
  3. Click Printing Preferences
  4. Open Maintenance or Tools
  5. Choose Cleaning or Print Head Cleaning
  6. Select Deep Clean, Power Clean, or Power Flush
  7. Click Start or OK

Let the process finish completely! It can take several minutes and may sound louder than usual, which is completely normal! When it’s done, print a test page. If there’s no improvement after one or two attempts, it’s probably time to get professional help!

How to clear a paper jam?

Paper Jammed in Printer

Paper jams are frustrating, especially when you can’t actually see any paper stuck inside. Even a tiny scrap can trigger an error. This is definitely one of the more annoying printer problems to come across.

Here’s the safest way to deal with it:

  1. Turn the printer off
  2. Open all lids and trays carefully
  3. Look closely for small torn pieces of paper
  4. Remove paper gently and never pull hard
  5. Reload paper neatly and not too tightly

If nothing is visible:

  1. Check for a rear door or panel and open it carefully
  2. Remove the paper tray completely
  3. Inspect the empty slot using a good light or torch
  4. Look around the rubber rollers and gently turn them
  5. Close all trays and covers firmly before turning the printer back on.

If the jam message won’t clear, stop there. Forcing things can damage sensors or rollers, and at that point, a technician can save you from making a small problem much bigger!

Printers may never be anyone’s favourite piece of technology, but a calm restart, a cable check, or a quick clean can solve a huge number of problems.

And when it doesn’t, that’s exactly what technicians are for.

If nothing else, remember the golden rule of printer troubleshooting: when in doubt, restart everything first. It works more often than you’d expect!

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Your 2026 Tech Checklist https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/computing/2026-tech-checklist/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:06:32 +0000 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=19607 Hey Geek fans! A new year is the perfect excuse for a fresh start, and that includes your tech! We all make New Year’s resolutions for ourselves, but what about the devices we rely on every single day? Leave your bad tech habits behind in 2025 and start fresh in 2026. We have a simple tech checklist that will make sure you’re doing the right things for your technology this year.

Update your device!

If you read our blogs or emails regularly, then you’ve probably had enough of us telling you to update your computer.
With the Windows 10 EOL having been and gone, we spent a lot of 2025 reminding people to update.

But, even if you’re using a Mac or a Windows 11 device, you need to stay on top of updates.

Not surprisingly MacOS and Windows 11 have already rolled out updates in 2026. There have also been security patches and updates released for Microsoft Office, Google Chrome and other popular programs. Updates are constant and if you don’t keep up to date, then your device could be at risk. To check for updates to your operating system it’s simple. On Apple devices, go into Settings > General > Software Update > Update Now. On Windows devices go to Start > Settings > Windows Update, then click Check for updates. There are some other ways which are listed in this handy blog.

Still using Windows 10? It’s time to make the transition because extended security updates won’t be around forever, and your device will start to fall behind. Speak to the team about options today!

Backup your files

When was the last time you backed up your device? Keeping a backup of your precious files is an important step many of us overlook. Sadly photos, documents, and files can disappear without warning for a range of reasons. Due to things like accidental deletion, hardware failures, power issues, ransomware, or malware attacks. These events often happen without any warning. Recovering your data can be very difficult or even impossible! This means it’s the perfect inclusion on our 2026 tech checklist. Whilst backing up your files, take the time to organise things so they are easier to find down the line.

Incorporating regular backups into your tech routine is a great way to protect yourself from surprises! Whether you prefer cloud backups, external hard drives, or a mix of both, having a recent backup ensures your files are safe, no matter what happens. Your data is at greater risk if not backed up. Make backing up a habit in the new year, it’s definitely a smart move!

Backups can be physical, on external hard drives or cloud-based, using storage plans with providers like Apple’s iCloud, Google Drive or Microsoft’s OneDrive — these are technically called data synchronisations and are not as secure as true backups. If you delete a synced file from OneDrive, this file is deleted everywhere. That means that if a file is accidentally deleted, you don’t have a copy of it saved elsewhere.

Important Reminder

Using a hard drive or USB? Connect the drive or USB to your computer and use the built-in backup tool. (Time Machine for Mac or File History for Windows). Just remember to store your backup separately and avoid leaving it plugged into your device all the time. If a power surge were to happen or a virus found its way into your computer, it could potentially jump onto your backup drive.

Ensure your antivirus is active

Is your antivirus active? Have you even checked? Start 2026 with 100% peace of mind.
First of all, you’ll need to be sure that you have a premium antivirus installed. We recommend Malwarebytes Premium.

If you already have antivirus software on your device, ensure it’s active. Simply open up the software, and you should see a banner that says something like secure, active or protected. If the banner says activate or renew, your antivirus protection may have expired. For more details relevant to your specific antivirus software, we’ve put a list together here.

Whilst you have your antivirus open, run a system scan of your device to check for any unwanted viruses. If the scan finds anything, follow the onscreen steps to fix it. If a serious virus or malware is detected, give us a call for a thorough device clear-out and virus removal.

Review and update your security

When did you last update your passwords? Have you enabled 2FA or MFA on all of your important accounts? What private information can people find out about you from your online profiles?

The new year is the perfect time to review all of this. If you’d like to know if your login details have been compromised in a data breach, we suggest checking on the website haveibeenpwned.com. This website will let you know if your login details have been released in a data breach. If they have don’t be alarmed. Just make sure to update your passwords and enable MFA on any of the affected accounts.

  • Review your passwords – Make sure you’re using a different one for each login and update any compromised details with new strong passwords.
  • Enable 2FA/MFA on all accounts – For important logins, like banks, email accounts, social media platforms and any accounts with personal information, this is a must-do.
  • Review your privacy settings – Do people really need to know your whereabouts and personal information? Consider updating your privacy settings for your social media profiles so only people you know can find out information about you. You can even stop strangers from sending you unwanted friend requests.

Need help upgrading your operating system or getting your security in order, well Geeks on Wheels is the perfect team to help. Our devices give us access to our finances, communication,  healthcare and businesses or work, so ensuring they are safeguarded and ready for the year ahead is important. You wouldn’t drive an unserviced car, don’t treat a computer any differently. Let the experts tick off your 2026 tech checklist. Book today!

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The Most Common Computer Repairs https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/computing/most-common-computer-repairs/ Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:30:59 +0000 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=19373 Have you ever wondered to yourself, what are the most common computer repairs?
Well, you’re in luck, we know a thing or two about computer repairs. We’ve seen it all over the years, from wine-soaked laptops to ant-infested casings. Whatever the tech repair, chances are, we’ve seen it.

But…..There are a few repairs we seem to see over and over again. That’s what we’re going to dive into today: our most common computer fixes and repairs. If you’re wondering, does my computer need repairing? Can I repair my hard drive? Are power supply repairs common? We’ve got the answers!

Hard Drive Replacement – The most common computer repair

By far the most common computer repair we do here at Geeks on Wheels is hard drive replacements. The hard drive is a major component of your device and extremely important to its everyday use. Basically, every task you do on your device requires the computer to access information on the hard drive in some capacity. This gradually wears down your hard drive. This is especially true for older Hard Disk Drives. These have moving parts, which are susceptible to damage.

Thankfully, most newer laptops have SSDs. These do not have moving parts and are therefore less likely to require replacement or repair. However, they do have a set lifespan, and due to the high frequency of use, even SSD’s can fail. So there it is, the most common computer repair is a hard drive replacement. Take care of yours by following a few simple steps.

Fresh OS Install

What does that even mean? Well, every device has an operating system. Phones, laptops, PC’s. They all have one. If you’re reading this on your phone, it’s likely either Android or iOS, if you’re on a laptop or computer, it could be Windows, MacOS, Linux or even ChromeOS. It’s a good idea to know what OS your device is running.

So now that we’ve established what exactly an OS is, why would you need to freshly install one? More importantly, why would it be one of our most common computer repairs? An OS fresh install is one of the best resolutions to software issues that just won’t seem to budge.

If your system is really not playing ball, it could be several underlying issues. Things like a corrupted OS, frequent crashes, blue screens, persistent malware or a device slowdown. These are all issues that could potentially be resolved with a fresh install. Computers can often get full of bloatware, unnecessary files, registry errors and clutter.
Sometimes the best way to fix all that is a fresh install. That is why it is one of the most common computer repairs. It’s an effective way to solve a number of problems.

Battery Replacement

Have you been thinking, “My battery isn’t lasting as long as it used to”? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a swelling in your laptop? Well, that’s a sure sign that your laptop needs a battery replacement. Seriously, if you ever notice a swelling near the battery, then get it sorted immediately. It’s not only bad for your device but also a genuine danger and fire hazard.

The reason batteries fail can vary; sometimes it’s due to improper use, spillages or leaving your device constantly plugged in. But, for the most part, it’s usually just the battery reaching the end of its functional lifespan. Batteries typically have a cycle count; you can check yours on your device.

Once this cycle count is reached or even before, sometimes, your battery performance will decline. That’s when you might need a battery replacement, making it one of the most common computer repairs.

Power Supply – Common computer repairs

Power Supply Unit (PSU) replacements are another common job we see at the Geeks on Wheels workshop. We wouldn’t repair the actual power supply; instead, we would replace the whole component. The PSU is the part of a PC that converts high-voltage power from the wall into the DC power needed for your computer components. It regulates and distributes a steady flow of power around your device.

Why would your power supply need replacing? Power supplies can fail due to a number of reasons, including ageing, power surges or power cuts. Some users might just want to upgrade to a newer, more efficient PSU. A failing power supply can cause random shutdowns, crashes and prevent your computer from turning on. As your power supply is a vital component of the computer, which can cause serious harm to other components if it fails, it’s worth ensuring it’s in good functioning order.

Cleaning, Repairing and Maintaining

When you group these together, they might just take top spot for the most common computer repairs. Whilst they don’t always involve the repair of a component, if you’re going by the textbook definition “to restore something damaged or broken to good working order” then you could classify a good clean as a repair.

We’ve seen devices clogged with years of dust and debris, slowing them down, causing overheating and reducing performance. By cleaning a computer’s fans and core components, we can often improve the device’s overall performance and help ensure its longevity. So we have to count that as one of the most common computer repairs. Simple but effective. Other common repairs are a bit less hardware-related, things like removing malware, updating software and fixing connectivity and syncing issues are all other common tech repairs we see daily.

Repairs are common for tech devices, from swapping out parts to servicing and maintaining key components. But taking good care of your device can help extend the lifespan of those core components and the overall computer. We can help with every step of the process – Book in for a routine checkup of your device today!

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Risks Of Not Upgrading to Windows 11 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/security-safety/risks-of-not-upgrading-to-windows-11/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 01:36:59 +0000 https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=18750

You’ve likely seen that Windows 10 is ending support on October 14th, 2025. Whether it’s pop-ups on your Windows 10 devices, emails from Geeks on Wheels or articles in the news. Everyone has been talking about it. Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance or security fixes for Windows 10 for all users. We have mentioned that those who don’t update will be at risk, but what does this mean? Reminder, this doesn’t apply to those using Apple Mac devices.

The risks of not upgrading to Windows 11 are numerous and varied, depending on how you use your devices. For most users, security is the first and major concern. In time, functionality may also be affected, and for businesses, compliance factors may be an issue. Read on to learn more about the risks of not upgrading.

Want to check if you can upgrade?

Do you have a Windows device and you’re not sure what version it is? Or perhaps you want to try upgrading your current computer before splurging on a new device? Check out our how-to guide for checking your OS and updating.

Increased Security Risks

The major concern for most users and us here at Geeks on Wheels is the end of security fixes for Windows 10. Without security updates your device and systems are vulnerable to a range of cyber threats, including viruses, malware, and hacking attempts. Attackers will exploit new security vulnerabilities to gain access to devices. They may then go on to access or steal data, disrupt operations or manipulate your device. Security updates would usually aim to patch these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

This all sounds very doom and gloom but it is the unfortunate reality of a device that is not properly protected. The consequences of such attacks can include financial losses, data breaches and potentially reputational damage. Nobody wants to put themselves at risk unnecessarily, so check if you can upgrade today.

Reduced Software Compatibility

The next major issue will be the lack of updates. Software is always evolving, with new features, requirements and capabilities rolling out constantly. With the recent advancements in AI we can expect that to continue at a rapid pace.

By continuing to use an outdated software version (Windows 10 or earlier), you will be missing out on new features. Windows 11 has numerous new features, including optimised performance, improved security features, Auto HDR, and updated memory management. Not updating doesn’t just mean you will miss out on the improved capabilities of Windows 11. Over time, the popular software and applications you use will also release updates. These will likely not be compatible with older operating system versions.

For example, the latest version of Google Chrome available for Windows 8.1 users is Chrome 109, which was released in January 2023. For up to date users the latest version available is 137.0.7151.68/69. That means users with outdated software will be missing out on nearly 3 years’ worth of security updates, improvements and new features. You might also notice some of your favourite websites or widgets require an up-to-date browser to use or access them.

These flow-on effects of an outdated operating system are numerous, compounding and inconvenient. They also put your device at constant risk. Not only will your device not have security updates from Windows, it will eventually no longer have security updates from new software versions of your favourite programs.

Increased Operational Downtime

Older devices are less efficient. Just like us, computers slow down as they get older. Especially when they can’t be updated anymore. Running older versions of Windows means your devices will not have access to the latest features and updates, which could save you time and increase productivity. This is also true for the software and applications that will fall behind.

Similarly, cyberattacks and security vulnerabilities cost individuals and businesses both time and money. They can often result in lost business and operational disruptions.

Regulatory Compliance

While this one only affects businesses and organisations, it is a great point to note.
By utilising outdated software, even given the numerous risks, you might not be meeting regulatory requirements. Depending on your industry or how you handle data, the risks may vary. Up-to-date and supported operating systems are standard across most industries and ensure the security of your devices, data and systems.

Remember, you don’t necessarily have to purchase a new device to update to Windows 11. If your device is less than 5 years old you might be able to update, provided it meets the minimum hardware requirements.  Whether you’re updating your existing device or looking for a brand new one with Windows 11 pre-installed, Geeks on Wheels are your experts for all things Windows 11. Give the team a call today and they can recommend the perfect device for your needs.

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Zoom Safety | Follow These Steps https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/tech-tip-tuesday/zoom-safety-follow-these-steps/ Wed, 06 May 2020 00:57:33 +0000 https://www.geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=4761 Zoom Safety | Follow These Steps

The Geeks on Wheels team have been using Zoom for weekly meetings and to keep in touch with colleagues. We know that Zoom is safe but ONLY if you follow these necessary precautions.

We understand that many of you have been using Zoom to keep in touch with family and friends. Whether you’re doing a quiz, having a catch-up or a formal meeting, it is super important to make sure the security of your meetings isn’t compromised. That is why we have put together this helpful How-To-Guide on being SAFE whilst using zoom.

Some meetings were being interrupted by unwanted intruders and causing disruptions that were often with malicious intent. Since these outbreaks, Zoom has put in extra security measures that can be used to safeguard meetings. However, these features can be hidden away and not easily found.

zoom menu

Follow these steps and keep your meetings with family, friends or co-workers secure. It’s a quick and easy process. It means that you won’t have to deal with somebody you don’t know popping into your conversation.

USE A UNIQUE MEETING ID AND PASSWORD

Zoom is now automatically adding passwords to accounts. Those passwords can be embedded in the links to people’s personal profiles. For example, if you go to your Zoom profile and look for your “instant meeting” link, you’ll see it contains both your personal meeting ID and right after that, the password for the meeting. Anyone you send that link to will be able to immediately gain access to your meeting without having to separately post a password. NOTE – Do not share this link publicly as hackers can find this link and use it to come into your meeting without a password.

  • From the main Zoom page, click on “My Account” in the upper-right corner, and then click “Schedule a meeting
  • If you wish, you can enter a meeting topic and description. Put in the date, time, and duration of your meeting. (If you’re on the free plan, you’ve got 40 minutes.)
  • Look for “Meeting ID,” and select “Generate Automatically.” This will generate a unique ID for that meeting rather than use your usual meeting ID.
  • Make sure “Require a password” is checked. Zoom will generate a random password, but you can also create your own.
  • Below that, make sure “Enable waiting room” is checked (and it’s a good idea not to check “Enable join before host” since that would let participants wander into the meeting before you do).
  • Click on “Save
  • You’ll be brought to the meetings page where you will see all of the options for that meeting. Halfway down, you can click “Copy the invitation” to put all of the info into your clipboard so you can send it to your participants. When you’re ready, click on the blue “Start this Meeting” button.

If you’re using the Zoom app:

  • Click on “Schedule
  • You will be offered essentially the same selections as you are in the web app. If you want to make sure the waiting room is enabled, click on “Advanced Options” at the bottom of the page.
  • Click on the blue “Schedule” button
  • You’ll be offered the chance to put the meeting into your calendar. After that, you’ll be brought back to the main window. The scheduled meeting will be on the right. If you want, you can click on the three dots to the right of your name to make changes or copy the invitation into your clipboard to send to your participants.

USE THE ZOOM VIRTUAL WAITING ROOM

The virtual waiting room allows you to check who is trying to enter your meeting. That way you have to manually accept or decline who enters a meeting. Then there will be no surprises during your get-together.

When each participant clicks on their link, they will be asked to wait, while you will get a notification telling you that someone has entered the waiting room. You can either immediately admit them or click on “See waiting room.

A sidebar will then show you everyone who is waiting to enter the meeting; you can then either admit them, remove them from the waiting room (and from any chance to enter the meeting), or send them a message.

If you are expecting a lot of people then you may find this a little tedious but it will ensure that no one that you don’t know shows up in the chat. It is, therefore, SAFER for you.

USE THE LOCK MEETING FEATURE

Once all of the participants are in the meeting you can then use the ‘Lock Meeting’ feature to ensure that nobody enters the call even if they have a meeting ID and password.

ZOOM WAITING ROOM FEATURE

One handy feature is that you can put people back in the waiting room. You may need to discuss a birthday present or a confidential part of the meeting so you can click ‘Manage Participants’ icon at the bottom of your screen. Find the names of the participants you wish to put in the waiting room and click ‘More’ > ‘Put in waiting room’. The participant will no longer have access to the meeting. In effect, they will be back in the waiting room until you decide to let them return.

KICK SOMEONE OUT

If a participant in your meeting has decided to misbehave then you can kick them out of the zoom meeting. Click on the ‘Manage Participants’ icon at the bottom of your screen. Find the name of the participant that you wish to kick out and click ‘More’ > ‘Remove.’ You can then lock the meeting so that they can’t get back in.

We urge you to follow these steps! If you are having issues with Zoom or would like some advice then call our team on 0800 424 335. They will put you in touch with one of our friendly technicians. They can get your issues sorted remotely or using our SAFE non – contact service.

Stay safe!

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How to Screenshot – The Ultimate Guide https://geeksonwheels.co.nz/tech-tip-tuesday/how-to-screenshot/ Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:56:15 +0000 https://www.geeksonwheels.co.nz/?p=4163 How to Screenshot – The Ultimate Guide

Here at Geeks on Wheels we understand that it can be confusing trying to take a screenshot from one of your devices. So we’ve put together a helpful ‘How to Screenshot – The Ultimate Guide’ blog!

It includes:

You may want to take a screenshot because you’re taking a call and want to capture the memory. Perhaps you’re playing an epic game and want to remember your high score or you just saw a cool picture that you want to keep forever.

Whatever the reason, we’re going to show you some of the easiest ways to screenshot!

There are a few different ways to do this for each device but we are going to keep it simple and stick to the easiest methods.

How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone SE, iPhone 5 or Earlier

how to screenshot on iphone 5
  1. Press the top button and the Home button at the same time.
  2. Quickly release both buttons.
  3. After you take a shot of the screen, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it.

How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone 8, 7 or 6

HOW TO SCREENSHOT ON IPHONE 6,7,8
  1. Press the side button and the Home button at the same time.
  2. Quickly release both buttons.
  3. After you take a shot of the screen, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it.

Screenshotting on iPhone X or Later

how to screenshot on iphone 6, 7, 8
  1. Press the side button and the volume up button at the same time.
  2. Quickly release both buttons.
  3. After you take a shot of the screen, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it.

Once captured, your iPhone will automatically save the screenshot directly to your camera roll in the Photos app. Tap the Photos app as you would normally — the app icon resembles a multicoloured flower — and swipe to the bottom of the screen to view your recently captured screenshot.

How to Screenshot on iPad

HOW TO SCREENSHOT ON IPAD
2018 iPad Pro
HOW TO SCREENSHOT ON IPAD
Regular Ipad
  1.  Find the Home Button (front) and Power Button (top). The Home button is located directly below your iPad’s display. It is the only button on the front-side of the iPad. The Power button, is located at the top of the iPad in the right – hand corner.  If you have a new, 2018 iPad Pro, then you need to find the Power Button at the top, in the right-hand corner and the Volume Up button (there is no home button).
  2. Press and hold the Top button when viewing the screen you want to capture, then tap the Home button and release both at the same time. For the 2018 iPad Pro, press and hold the Power button and then tap the Volume up button and release both. Your iPad screen will then flash momentarily if done correctly, and you’ll hear a faint shutter noise, assuming your device isn’t in silent mode.
  3. Once captured, your iPad will automatically save the screenshot directly to your camera roll in the Photos app. Tap the Photos app as you would normally — the app icon resembles a multicoloured flower — and swipe to the bottom of the screen to view your recently captured screenshot.

Screenshotting on Android Phones

how to screenshot on android
  1. Press the Power and Home buttons at the same time.
  2. Hold both buttons for a second, until you hear a shutter sound or see a visual indicating a picture has been taken.
  3. This can be awkward to get right. You need to hold the Power button slightly before pressing the Home button, then hold them both down.
For other ways to screenshot on android and Samsung phones click here.

How to Screenshot on Samsung

how to screenshot ons samsung
  1. Press the Power and Home buttons at the same time.
  2. Hold both buttons for a second, until you hear a shutter sound or see a visual indicating a picture has been taken.
  3. This can be awkward to get right. You need to hold the Power button slightly before pressing the Home button, then hold them both down.

This works with any Samsung phone that has a home button. For more ways to screenshot on a Samsung phone click here.

Screenshotting on Mac

How to screenshot on mac
  1. To take a screenshot, press and hold these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 3.
  2. If you see a thumbnail in the corner of your screen, click it to edit the screenshot. Or wait for the screenshot to save to your desktop.

How to screenshot on mac

  1. Press and hold these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 4.
  2. Drag the cross hair to select the area of the screen to capture. Move the selection, press and hold Space bar while dragging. To cancel taking the screenshot, press the Esc (Escape) key.
  3. To take the screenshot, release your mouse or track pad button.
  4. If you see a thumbnail in the corner of your screen, click it to edit the screenshot. Or wait for the screenshot to save to your desktop.

Screenshotting on Windows

how to screenshot on windows
  • Press PrtScn. This copies the entire screen to the clipboard. You can paste the screenshot into any program that displays images, like Paint or Microsoft Word.
  • Press Alt + PrtScn. This copies the active window to the clipboard, which you can paste into another program.
  • Press the Windows key + Shift + S. The screen will dim and the mouse pointer will change. You can drag to select a portion of the screen to capture. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard, which you can paste into another program. (This shortcut only works if you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed, called the Windows 10 Creators Update.)
  • Press the Windows key + PrtScn. This saves the entire screen as an image file. You can find it in the “Pictures” folder, in a sub folder called “Screenshots.”

Screenshotting on PC

how to screenshot on PC
  • To capture the entire screen (everything you see on the screen, including all open windows), press the PrtScn button. This screenshot will be placed in your clipboard.
  • Alternatively, to capture just the active or foremost window, press Alt+PrtScn.
  • Next, open an image editing program like Microsoft Paint and either go to the Edit menu then select Paste or, for a faster method, hit Ctrl+V to paste the image into the program.
  • Go to the File menu then choose Save As and save the image to a folder so you can later attach it to an email.

Screenshotting on Chromebook

how to screenshot on chromebook

To take a screenshot of everything you see on your Chromebook’s screen at once, hold down the Ctrl key and press the Switch window key. The Switch window key is typically located in the top row, in between the Full-screen and Brightness down buttons, and looks like a rectangle followed by two lines.

Partial Screenshotting On Chromebook:

how to screenshot on chromebook

Step 1: Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys at once, then press the Switch window button.

Step 2: Chrome’s cursor will be temporarily replaced with a crosshair. Click and drag a square across the portion of the screen you want to save, then release the trackpad or mouse button.

Screenshotting on PS4

how to take a screenshot on ps4
  • Press and hold the SHARE button for at least 1 second.
  • To check screenshots that you have taken, select [Profile] from the function screen, and then select  (Captures).

Get Educated.

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