iPhone problems? 11 ways to fix gadgets

Switch off and on again
As with your desktop PC, it's not unusual for gadgets to crash and, just like Windows, a quick restart may be all that’s needed to get things back to normal. If your device plugs into the mains, switch off the power at the wall, leave it for 30 seconds and then switch it back on again. In the case of battery-powered gadgets, remove the batteries for at least 30 minutes before replacing them and switching the device on again. It may be the most obvious trick in the book, but the number of problems that can be solved with a simple reset is staggering, so it’s certainly the first thing to try.

For example, if your iPhone or iPod Touch has frozen, you can reset it by holding down the sleep/wake button at the top of the phone at the same time as pressing the home button.

Restore factory settings
Providing you don't mind losing any customisations you’ve made, many gadget problems can be eliminated by restoring the default factory settings. Exactly how to do this varies between devices, so take a look in the instruction manual for more details.

As a factory reset may wipe out stored on the device well as settings (depending on the type of gadget), try to perform a back-up first if that option is available.

Replace the batteries
The batteries supplied with electronic devices may be older than you think, and it’s not unheard of for them to be provided flat. If your gadget fails to show signs of life, try a new set of batteries, or ensure that rechargeables have been charged for long enough. It is also very easy to insert batteries the wrong way round, so check the polarity before assuming that something is broken.

Check cables and connectors
Many gadgets, particularly those that connect to others – for example games consoles and DVD players, which need to be hooked up to a television - can appear faulty if they have not been properly set up. Check each cable, ensuring that it is not only securely connected, but that both ends have been inserted into the correct sockets. You should also check for blown fuses and damaged cables.

Read the manual
Again it may seem obvious, but many people simply ignore the instruction manual supplied with their gadget. Check towards the back of the book or the bottom of the PDF and you may well find a troubleshooting guide that can be used to fix a number of common problems and get things working again.

Check your settings
Gadgets that connect wirelessly to other devices such as games consoles and mobile phones, can fail to work properly if settings have not been configured correctly. Ensure that any required passwords have been typed in correctly, network addresses have been correctly configured, and any local settings adjusted accordingly.

Browse web support forums
Online discussion forums are a great source of technical help, and provide a free and easy means of finding people who may have experienced similar gadget problems to yours. Forums are often provided at the manufacturer's websites, or even the online store the product was purchased from. Perform a Google search for '[gadget name] help' or '[gadget name] support forum' and you're sure to find something useful. Alternatively, check out a dedicated gadget-support site such as AVForums or CNET Forums post a query on Yahoo Answers or share your problem in the Web User Forums to see if anyone can help you.

Watch YouTube help videos
Just as forums are filled with people more than happy to share their advice about fixing gadgets, there are plenty of helpful souls on YouTube. Perform a search for the device that is proving troublesome and there will almost certainly be a number of instructional videos demonstrating how to solve a particular problem. You’ll also find easy-to-follow gadget help videos at VideoJug and eHow.

Browse WikiHow
WikiHow is like a giant online instruction manual, which covers every topic imaginable, including gadgets. If you’re having difficulty accessing a particular function on your device, or something is not working as it should, try searching WikiHow for advice. Because users contribute all the content, it’s highly likely that someone may have experienced the same problem as you and then posted the solution they discovered.

Search FixYa
Run by Yahoo, Gadget Helpline for just £2.99 a month (with a free 30-day trial) and you can get help with a wide range of gadget woes. Advice is just a phone call away and is charged at 5p per minute all times. With a team of experts available, you shouldn’t have to wait long for help, but if an immediate solution cannot be provided, your case can be escalated and you’ll receive an answer within one working day.