In this article, we will focus on hardware failure , what causes it and most frequent hardware failures.

What is hardware failure ?

As the term implies, refer to problems associated with the hardware components of the computer. It could be a processor failure, RAM failure, or anything else.

It is due to a malfunction within the electronic circuits or electromechanical components of a computer system .

Recovery from a hardware failure requires repair or replacement of the offending part.

Let’s learn about its causes.

What causes hardware failure ?

• Exposure to extreme temperatures : 

You could increase the risk of damaging your IT infrastructure if you expose your computers to extreme temperatures. Too much heat may affect your equipement’s performance to a noticeable degree and cause productivity issues.

They may even break down and any data restored inside could be lost forever.

It’s also crucial to keep hardware out of direct sunlight and in a space with plenty of airflow around it. 

• Ineffective cleaning routine  : 

It’s easy to overlook cleaning in a small business environment, especially during your busiest periods. What difference does a little dust make? 

Well, dust accumulation is a common cause of IT hardware failures. And it’s also the easiest to prevent.

Dust can get inside equipement, clog cooling fans , and block air vents. This can make it harder for computers or servers to manage internal heat created by its components. These may overheat, become damaged and cause a crash. 

You might not realize that your hardware is coated with dust or that the air is thick with particles until it affects performance. That’s why it’s so important to take cleaning seriously.

A thorough cleaning routine should help to reduce the amount of dust gathering on your hardware. 

• Human Errors : 

We all make mistakes , accidents happen . but no matter how genuine it may be, human errors can cause severe IT hardware failures.  

This could be something as simple as spilling water on a device and damaging its internal components. Or it could be a little more complex and expensive to fix, such as downloading an attachment infected with malware.

Whatever the specifics,human error may be due to a lack of training rather than negligence. Some employees may be inexperienced with IT equipment and have no understanding of what they should or shouldn’t do when handling it. 

• Lack of performance check and maintenance : 

Regular maintenance is the key for avoiding IT hardware failure. 

This encompasses multiple steps, including:

• Using a diagnostic tool to identify technical issues that could affect equipment performance.
• Scanning for viruses or other threats.
• Cleaning hardware with a damp cloth to remove dust and other debris that could lead to overheating.
• Updating software to access the latest security and performance improvements.
• Check temperature (in office and server room) to protect equipment from overheating.

These are just a few ideas that can help you stay on top of your hardware’s condition and performance. You may prefer to contact Friendly solutions offering professional maintenance services if you’re uncertain about handling it yourself.

Most frequent hardware failures

• Power supply issue : Problems related to a faulty power supply are easy to diagnose. If your computer does not boot up again, do not turn on any light then there is a good chance that the power supply will fail. 

look at the light directly on the power supply itself or the power light of the computer usually facade. 

If you are not sure about the status of the lights, you can check if the fans are running, if they don’t , it’s because they are not fed so it is also a power problem. 

Another phenomenon related to a faulty power supply is if the computer is working but restarting for no apparent reason. It is often that at some point the computer requires a little more power, and the power supply is too fair to provide it. 

• Slowness of use : If your computer is slow, apart from software problems known as too many programs running on startup, installed adware or spyware , fragmented disks, missing or outdated drivers . The origin may be hardware , but what causes slowness ? 
• Not enough RAM available : Use your computer normally and when the slowness problem appears press ctrl + alt + delete on the keyboard and click on “Task Manager”. In this performance tab , look at the RAM occupancy rate. If it’s 80% or more, you have to add more because it is no longer enough to run your applications properly. 

• Your hard drive is old, worn or damaged : Depending on the age and use of your disk, it may be necessary to change it. A mechanical hard drive (not SSD) can emit characteristic noises of a problem such as a tray scraping inside or a reading head that blocks. Then you’ll have to change it. 

• Computer’s overheating : In some cases, the cooling radiator becomes clogged and dust obstructs the air expulsion. In this case, the computer becomes hot and stops on its own because of the excessive motherboard temperature. 

• Screen freeze or no longer starts : If the screen freezes or freezes with visible lines, or the computer lights up but the screen remains black, one or more memory bars may be faulty. 

If you have multiple memory bars in your computer, you can try removing them to test them one after the other.

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