Working from home is usually better than working in an office. The only time in-office work has an advantage over the work-from-home life is when your tech breaks down. At home, you can’t easily hop over to another cubicle to use a backup computer while IT deals with your problem. A broken laptop or the bluescreen of death is lot harder to solve alone. But don’t panic — these tips are here to help.
Talk to Your Employer
Your first step with a tech problem is to reach out to your employers and, if they have it, the IT department. This is especially true if you work on a company computer every day. Your company will likely cover all costs of repairing or replacing the problem device.
Smaller outfits may not have any IT department in place nor any stipend for equipment. In that case, keep reading for ideas to fix your current problem. Once the dust settles, consider making arrangements with your employer to cover these business expenses in the future.
Review Your Paperwork
Check your bill to see whether you’re within the warranty period. If you bought your PC recently, your warranty may still be valid. All going well, you can contact the manufacturer to make a claim, and they’ll repair or replace your tech as needed.
Find a Local Computer Repair Shop
It’s just your luck to face computer problems outside of your warranty. If your policy has expired, don’t reach out to the manufacturer just yet. They’re often the most expensive option for repairs. Instead, search online for a local repair shop near you. These small, independent businesses usually offer competitive pricing on repairs and new equipment.
Tap Your Emergency Fund
Paying for parts and labor out of pocket can be challenging, especially if you live on a tight budget. Now’s the time to uncork your emergency fund, using some of those savings to cover your repair bill. You may also want to consider cancelling the typical fun spending for the month to pool more money for your repair.
Research Online Loans
With complicated issues, a repair isn’t always the cheapest option. It might be less expensive to buy an entirely new computer. If a brand-new laptop or desktop outstrips what your emergency fund has to offer, you can research online direct loans to fill in the gaps.
In addition to comparing rates and terms — this step will ensure you can afford to borrow — you should also see what others are saying about a financial institution and their online loans. Reviews contain unparalleled insight into previous borrowers’ experiences with online direct lenders. Reading them gives you a better idea of how a company treats their borrowers by sharing the quality of the company’s customer service, digital platform, or transparency of terms.
Seek out New Work Arrangements
In today’s always-on world, you’ve become accustomed to sending off an email or accessing a file in the blink of an eye. Frustratingly, repairing or replacing tech doesn’t always follow the same lightning-fast schedule. It may take hours, days, or even weeks to get a working device again.
In case of a long wait for new tech, going back into the office might be your best option. For shorter gaps, you can see if a communal office space also rents equipment. Alternatively, your local library offers a free and safe place to work, and most modern branches have on-site computers or laptops that you can borrow.
Tech problems can interrupt your work-from-home day, but not for long when you follow the tips shared here today!