How to Diagnose and Fix Problems in Ubuntu

It doesn't matter which operating system you choose to use, at some point in time you will run into problems, it is a fact. An interface display, an application, or a random error message will appear because of some conflict or issue that is not resolved. The same applies to  Ubuntu . If you learn the skills of diagnosing your own problems, it makes solving issues much easier.

The first step when you have a problem is to just restart the computer. At times it was a completely random error that might not come back after the system restarts. This is good advice no matter what operating system you are using.

If you are having a problem with a certain application, consider deleting the settings folder for that application to see if it's a user settings issue. Go to your Home folder and view the hidden files by pressing Control+H. Find the application you are having problems with and rename that folder to something else. Restart  Ubuntu  and see if the problem exists. Many times, especially with the Gnome interface, there are user setting issues and starting over like this is easier at times.

One way of fixing an issue is to try to update or reinstall the software that may be giving you a problem. This doesn't guarantee a fix but it could solve your problem. At times files could have been deleted on accident or removed. Installing everything again puts what is needed back into place.

If the issue happens again, write down the exact message you see on the screen or a description of the problem into the  Ubuntu  Forums or a search engine. If it's a common problem, it's likely that someone else has had that problem. The forums will direct you to the help that you need or give you exact directions on how to fix it.

Learning to diagnose problems in  Ubuntu  makes it easier to fix them. So take the time to learn some common troubleshooting steps to take and where to really get help when problems keep happening.