Author Archives: Kristin Willis

Windows 8.1 End of Life Coming Soon

After January 10, 2023, security updates for Windows 8.1 users will no longer be available. As a result, in order to continue using Windows without risk, those users will have to upgrade to a newer version.

According to Tech Radar, “Only a tiny minority of Windows users are still using Windows 8.1, 3.06% according to the latest statistics, dwarfed by the 71.82% using Windows 10.”

In addition, technical assistance will no longer be available. As a result, Microsoft’s website will no longer be updated with technical information, and Windows 8.1 devices won’t be able to run Microsoft 365 apps anymore.

Windows 8.1 will continue to function after January 2023. It’s possible, however, that if you don’t receive regular security upgrades for your Windows 8.1 desktop or laptop, it could be vulnerable to online threats and attacks.


For help with Windows OS updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285. Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Printer Repair – Troubleshooting

Once you learn about the most prevalent difficulties and the solutions that work for them, you can rapidly find workarounds for your printer’s specific model. Even the most aggravating printer issues can be solved with the help of internet tools provided by the manufacturer. Here are a few quick fixes for the problem:

It is possible that your operating system’s drivers will become out of current or unusable after an update. In the event that your printer doesn’t respond to simple commands or keeps crashing, you may be able to fix the problem right away by updating the driver. You may have also installed the wrong printer driver on your computer.

Uninstalling the printer driver on your desktop and reinstalling a more recent version will usually fix the printer’s communication issues with your computer. To find a newer version of your printer’s driver, go to the manufacturer’s support page and enter in your printer’s model number.

Another conceivable explanation is a problem with the Wi-Fi connection. Verify that your Wi-Fi is turned on and working if you are having trouble getting your printer to connect to your computer. In most cases, both devices just need to be restarted.

A new router means that you’ll have to re-configure your printer and computer to interact with the network. Verify if your new router has a new ISP address, if so, you’ll have to reset it.


If you’re needing help with printer connectivity, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Boulder Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Boulder, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Pausing Windows OS Updates (10 & 11)

Updates to the Windows operating system have been blamed by several customers for slowing down or even breaking their computers completely. In the OS, most updates are automatically downloaded and installed without warning, which can be a hassle and aggravating. Some updates are optional.

Fortunately, Windows 10 allows you to pause any updates that are downloading or being installed. For those who aren’t quite ready for the process to begin:

  1. Go to Start Menu
  2. Type in Settings
  3. Click on Update & Security
  4. Find Windows Update
  5. Advanced Options -or- Pause updates for 7 days
  6. Select the drop-down menu and pick a date

You can halt Windows 11 updates for up to five weeks by selecting “Pause” from the “Windows Update” selection in the Settings app.


For help with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

External Hard Drive Troubleshoot

When you use an external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) instead of installing one on your computer, you are using “external storage.” Hard drives fail more frequently in laptops because newer computers have fewer moving parts.

Hard drives fail more frequently when used incorrectly, with outdated or unsupported operating systems and drivers, constantly attached and unplugged from other devices (such as laptops), or safely disposed of.

Before attempting any other remedy, run the troubleshooter apps available with Windows OS. These apps include:

  • Windows Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
  •  Windows USB Troubleshooter

Your computer’s USB ports and the storage device they’re linked to can be checked for known issues. They’ll do everything they can to fix anything that goes wrong.

The Start Menu search bar or the Windows Settings Troubleshooter page can lead you to these resources.


If you ever have a computer-related issue, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285. Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Atlanta Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Atlanta, GA, please call or text the local office at (678) 695-8120.

How to Force Quit

Apps that stop functioning and refuse to quit even after tapping the close or X button are a common problem. Force quitting the app is the only option for users at this stage. There are several possible causes for applications or programs to become stalled. A shortage of hardware resources (such as RAM), software faults, or a breakdown in app-to-OS communication can all be blamed for these issues.

You may lose data if you force quit, but that may be a risk you’ll have to take.

To keep tabs on the programs running in the background, utilize Task Manager. Using it to terminate unresponsive applications is also an option.

Here’s how to do that:

Launch Task Manager with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Then, select the program that you want to force quit and click on the Force Quit button.
When you’re done, click “Complete Task.”

Also, pressing Alt+F4 on your keyboard will close the current application. This is the most straightforward approach.


If you’re experiencing any Windows 11 or computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Lakewood Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Lakewood, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460

Mac and Wi-Fi Connection Issue Fix

Here’s a quick and simple technique to get your Mac back online and connected to your Wi-Fi if you’re having problems getting it to do so.

First off, verify that your modem/router is connected to the internet by checking the settings.

To do this, check to see that all of the lights, including the internet one, are blinking green. Make certain your Wi-Fi router is properly configured as well.

Once you’ve verified that your modem/router is properly connected, go to your Mac and restart Wi-Fi. To see whether the problem persists, try restarting your modem or router.

When everything else fails, restart your Mac and try connecting to your Wi-Fi connection again. Checking to see if your Mac’s Wi-Fi is turned on should go without saying. The Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar can be checked by clicking on it. Turn off your Mac if the network appears to be working normally. After a few seconds, re-energize the device by turning it on.


If you ever have an issue with your Mac, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Atlanta Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Atlanta, GA please call or text the local office at (678) 695-8120.

Deleting Software to Fix Blue Screen

Installing new software, drivers, games, or just an update to the software existing on the computer can result in a blue screen problem.

Simple solutions should be tried first in these instances, rather than attempting more intricate ones.

In order to get rid of any new or updated software, try these steps:

To access the Control Panel, simply click on the desktop shortcut that you’ve previously created. Pressing Win+Q and typing in the search box can help. After that, go to Programs and Features, locate the software, delete it, and restart your computer to see the changes. Take a look at the apps and features section of Settings, then select the one you wish to delete, and then reboot. Afterward you’ll be done.


If you are experiencing computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Riverview Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Riverview, FL, please call the local office at (813) 400-2865.

Memory Test with Computer Restarting Issues

A memory test may be able to help you solve a computer that keeps restarting due to an issue.

The more you switch between apps, the more likely it is that your memory will be screwed up. Use the built-in Windows memory diagnostic tool to find and fix any issues you may be having.

Just put “Windows Memory Diagnostic” into the Start menu and press Enter. You can simply type mdsched.exe into the Run box and press Enter to open it. Let the machine restart on its own and check for faults, or check for mistakes yourself, are your options from here.

A blue screen at 100% means your computer has to be restarted to make sure everything is working properly.


If you need assistance with any computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285. Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Summerlin Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Summerlin, NV please call the local office at (702) 800-7850.

3 year Major Updates with Windows 11, Microsoft Says

Microsoft is reorganizing its Windows engineering team and moving to a new timetable. A three-year release cycle for major Windows client versions will be restored, and new features can be added to the present version of Windows more easily.

Every three years, Microsoft intends to provide significant changes to the Windows desktop. Windows 11 was released in 2021, and the next version is scheduled to be published in 2024, three years after that.

According to Thurrott, “Last year, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 would receive major updates once a year, and so would Windows 10 until its end of support in 2025. However, Microsoft already released the first feature update for Windows 11 back in February, which brought the Amazon Android App Store in the US, a new Media Player app, as well minor improvements for the Windows 11 taskbar.”


If you need help with computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285. Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Grand Prairie Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Grand Prairie, TX, please call our local office at (469) 299-9005.

iPad Repair Tips That Might Help Save Money

Determining if your iPad needs repaired or just a bit of troubleshooting can be a pain. This can be especially true when the consumer doesn’t comprehend the complexity of these devices. On top of that, iPad repairs can be costly. For instance, when your iPad isn’t charging, it may raise some concerns. Try out these tips first to see if it fixes the issues before taking it to a repair shop.

Utilizing While Charging

It’s possible that if you frequently use your iPad while it’s charging, this could be the root cause of your battery drain issues. You may be able to fix the problem by turning off the tablet before plugging it in to charge.

Clogged Charging Port

An iPad’s charging port can become clogged with dust, lint, or other material. Check the charging port with a flashlight to see if there is anything inside. If you see any debris, blow it away with compressed air or an anti-static brush.

Charging Cables

3rd party cables, though cheaper than original Apple brand cables, have the potential of causing issues. It’s recommended to only use Apple charging cables only.

How to use your iPad as a second monitor


If you are having issues with your PC, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.