© Ha-Wee


There's only one feeling in the world worse than your computer not working: calling the tech support to get help. Not everyone speaks tech fluently, so I've put together a little guide to help you call a support center and not pull out your hair.

1. Google everything first: If you have a specific technical problem, look it up. If you can't get to the internet, borrow your library or call a friend and ask them to do it. Sometimes a solution or a walk-through in text can be easier to follow.

2. Speaker phone: One of the worst things about calling tech support its getting frustrated when the person who is supposed to help you doesn't understand your problem. So keep your stress levels down as much as you can during the phone call. It will only make things more difficult for both of you. I suggest calling from a headset or a phone with a speaker function, so you can do other things while you're on hold.

3. Terminology: You may not know all the right terms for things on your computer, but you can certainly try. This is where step 1 of googling can come in handy. If the person on the line uses a term you don't understand politely ask them what it is. If you need to, write it down so you can refer back to it later in the conversation.

4. Be very clear: Describe your problem as clearly as you can. When did it start? Were there any problems beforehand? Be ready to give these facts and try not to snap if you need to repeat them.

5. Language barrier: If you really can't understand the person on the other end of the call its okay to ask to be transferred to someone else. Don't let a technical problem go unfixed because you can't communicate with your service representative.

What's your biggest frustration when talking to tech support?