How to Use Recommended Troubleshooting on Windows 10

Recommended troubleshooting in Windows 10 is a built-in feature that automatically diagnoses and fixes common system issues, such as problems with Windows Update, audio playback, network connections, and printers. It works by scanning your system for known problems, applying the appropriate fixes, and then reporting what it changed. You don’t need any special tools or technical knowledge—just a few clicks and a moment of patience. This guide walks you through the entire process, from finding the troubleshooter to interpreting the results.

What You’ll Need

A PC running Windows 10 (any recent version, ideally updated).
Administrator access (you may need to click “Yes� on a User Account Control prompt).
An internet connection if the issue involves online services like Windows Update or network connectivity.

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app. Click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon labeled “Settings.� Alternatively, press the Windows + I keys together.
Navigate to Update & Security. In the Settings window, click the tile that says “Update & Security.� It usually has a circular arrow icon.
Select Troubleshoot. In the left sidebar, click “Troubleshoot.� This will show a list of troubleshooting tools.
Choose the relevant troubleshooter. Under “Get up and running,� you’ll see a list of common problem areas like “Internet Connections,� “Playing Audio,� “Printer,� and “Windows Update.� Click on the one that matches your issue. If you don’t see it, click “Additional troubleshooters� at the bottom of the list to see more options.
Run the troubleshooter. Click the “Run the troubleshooter� button that appears after you select an item. A new window will open, and Windows will start scanning your system for issues.
Wait for the scan to finish. The scan can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Do not close the window during this time. You’ll see a progress bar and a status message.
Apply fixes if prompted. If the troubleshooter finds a problem, it will show a description and often a button like “Apply this fix� or “Try troubleshooting as an administrator.� Click it to proceed. If it doesn’t find anything, it will say “No problems detected.�
Follow any additional instructions. Some troubleshooters may ask you to perform an action, like restarting your PC or plugging in a device. Do what it says, then click “Continue� or “Next.�
Review the results. After the process completes, you’ll see a summary of what was checked and what was fixed (if anything). It may also offer to open a related settings page or provide a link to more help.
Restart your PC if recommended. Some fixes require a restart to take effect. Save your work and restart when prompted.

Common Mistakes

Choosing the wrong troubleshooter. For example, running the “Printer� troubleshooter when your issue is actually with Wi-Fi. Make sure you pick the category that matches the symptom.
Skipping the “Additional troubleshooters� section. Many users miss that there are more tools hidden there, like “Blue Screen� or “Search and Indexing.� Always check that list if your issue isn’t on the main screen.
Not running as administrator. Some fixes require elevated permissions. If you get an error or the troubleshooter says it couldn’t apply a fix, try running it as an administrator (right-click the troubleshooter in the list and select “Run as administrator�).
Closing the window too early. The scan might look frozen, but it’s still working. Give it a few minutes before giving up.
Ignoring the “Apply this fix� prompt. If you click “Don’t apply,� the troubleshooter won’t fix anything. Always apply the fix unless you have a reason not to.

Tips

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter first if you’re having trouble installing updates, as it can fix underlying issues that affect other troubleshooters.
Use the “Recent� troubleshooter (if available) to re-run a previous scan after you’ve made changes, like updating drivers.
Check the “View detailed information� link after a scan to see exactly what was checked and what was changed. This can be useful if you need to report the issue elsewhere.
Combine with manual checks. If the troubleshooter finds nothing, try basic steps like checking cables, restarting the device, or updating drivers manually.
Keep Windows updated. Microsoft regularly improves the troubleshooters, so having the latest updates ensures you get the best version.

Troubleshooting

If the recommended troubleshooting doesn’t solve your problem, try these steps:

Run the troubleshooter again. Sometimes the first run fixes a partial issue, and a second run can catch what remains.
Run it as an administrator. Right-click the troubleshooter in the Settings list and choose “Run as administrator.� This gives it more permissions to make changes.
Check the “View detailed information� log. Look for any error codes or specific messages. Search online for those exact codes—you may find a manual fix.
Try a different troubleshooter. For example, if the “Internet Connections� troubleshooter doesn’t help, try “Network Adapter� under Additional troubleshooters.
Use System Restore. If the problem started recently, you can revert your system to a point before the issue began. Search for “Create a restore point� in the Start menu, then click “System Restore.�
Run the DISM and SFC commands. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files that troubleshooters might miss.
Reset the affected app or service. For example, if Windows Update is still broken, you can reset the Windows Update components manually (search for “Windows Update reset� for the official steps).
Contact Microsoft Support or a professional. If nothing works, there may be a deeper hardware or software issue. Use the “Get Help� app or visit the Microsoft support website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Recommended troubleshooting� actually do?

It runs a series of diagnostic checks on your system for a specific component (like audio, network, or updates). If it finds a known problem, it automatically applies the fix, which might involve changing settings, restarting services, or updating drivers.

Will it delete my files or personal data?

No. The troubleshooters only change system settings and fix configuration issues. They do not touch your personal files, documents, or photos.

Why does the troubleshooter say “No problems detected� even though I have an issue?

This usually means the problem is not one of the predefined issues the troubleshooter can detect. It could be a hardware failure, a third-party software conflict, or a driver issue that the tool can’t diagnose. Try manual troubleshooting steps like updating drivers or checking hardware connections.

Can I use recommended troubleshooting if I’m not an administrator?

You can run the scan, but applying fixes may require administrator rights. If you don’t have them, you’ll see a prompt to enter an admin password or you’ll need to ask someone with admin access to run it.

How often should I run a troubleshooter?

Only when you have a problem. Running them proactively isn’t necessary, but it’s harmless. If you notice a recurring issue, you can run the relevant troubleshooter each time, but it’s better to find the root cause.

Are there troubleshooters for things like Blue Screen errors?

Yes. Under “Additional troubleshooters,� you’ll find a “Blue Screen� troubleshooter that can help diagnose crash issues. It may not fix the problem directly, but it can provide error codes and suggestions.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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