Here are 24 humorous, frustrating, and sometimes baffling findings from tech support workers that highlight how technology isn’t always intuitive for everyone:
1. “The Any Key” Dilemma
•A common request from users: “I can’t find the ‘any key’ on my keyboard.” This happens when a prompt asks them to “press any key to continue.”
2. The Caps Lock Confusion
•Users frequently call in claiming their password doesn’t work, only to discover the Caps Lock was on.
3. Turning It Off and On Again
•The golden rule of tech support: most issues can be solved by rebooting, but users are often reluctant to try this simple fix.
4. Mouse as a Foot Pedal
•Some users have tried to use their computer mouse like a sewing machine pedal, placing it on the floor and stepping on it.
5. Monitor Isn’t Working—Is It Plugged In?
•Tech support often discovers that monitors or devices aren’t plugged in, and users are puzzled why they won’t turn on.
6. The CD Drive Cupholder
•Many users mistakenly think the CD-ROM tray is a built-in cupholder, only to break the drive.
7. “I Deleted the Internet”
•A panicked user once reported deleting the internet after removing the browser icon from their desktop.
8. Print Screen Button Confusion
•Some users press the “Print Screen” key, expecting it to physically print a screenshot on paper.
9. The Wireless Mouse That Won’t Work
•Users often forget to change the batteries in their wireless mice and call tech support claiming it’s broken.
10. Clicking Harder Makes It Work Faster
•In moments of frustration, users repeatedly or forcefully click buttons, thinking it will speed up a lagging system.
11. The Frozen Screen that Was a Screensaver
•Users sometimes panic that their computer is frozen, when it’s simply displaying a screensaver.
12. Thinking Wi-Fi Is Tangible
•Some users believe Wi-Fi is something physical, once asking for a “Wi-Fi cord” to connect their device.
13. Remote Control Confusion
•One person tried to control their PC with their TV remote, convinced it would work because both were “remote devices.”
14. “The Computer Isn’t Working”—Check for Power Outages
•Tech support gets calls during power outages from users who don’t realize why their devices are down.
15. Password Amnesia
•Users often forget their passwords, insist it was correct, and later admit to using variations like “password1234.”
16. Sticky Notes on the Screen
•A user once complained that part of their screen was missing, only for tech support to discover a sticky note was physically blocking it.
17. Using White-Out on the Screen
•A person once tried to correct a typo on their monitor using white-out, thinking it would erase the mistake.
18. Inserting Discs the Wrong Way
•Many users insert CDs or DVDs upside down, causing confusion when the disc “isn’t being read.”
19. The Computer Mouse as a TV Remote
•Users have tried using their computer mouse to change TV channels, mistaking it for a universal remote.
20. Keyboard in Alphabetical Order
•Some users have expressed frustration that keyboards aren’t laid out alphabetically, finding the QWERTY layout illogical.
21. Hovering Over the “Send” Button
•A user once assumed they needed to hold the mouse over the “send” button for their email to be sent.
22. Thinking Tech Can Read Their Mind
•One user was shocked when asked to type a command, exclaiming, “I thought the computer just knew what I wanted!”
23. “Touchscreen Doesn’t Work” on a Non-Touchscreen Monitor
•Some users try to touch non-touchscreen displays, wondering why the computer isn’t responding to their taps.
24. Printer Not Working… Because It’s Out of Paper
•Calls about printers not working often end with the discovery that the paper tray is empty.
These findings remind us that while technology can be amazing, not everyone finds it intuitive! Tech support workers often face these head-scratching moments with a mix of patience, humor, and creativity.