Justin Drake Carroll Repair

Your Computer is Not Starting, Now What?

Computers have become a big part of our lives today, with 95.2 percent of US households expected to own at least one computer in 2022. These machines are a vital part of businesses too. They help get work done smoothly and accurately, besides keeping employees connected with their colleagues throughout the day.

But what happens if your computer is not starting? It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in the middle of working on something important.

Thankfully, there are many simple things you can do to try and fix it. Today’s blog post will go over 10 of the most common things you can do to get your computer started again.

1. Charge the Battery

If your computer isn’t starting, one of the first things you should check is the battery. If it’s completely drained, your computer won’t boot up. Letting the battery charge for a few minutes can often solve the problem. 

This is just one of the advantages of using a laptop over a desktop computer. You can take it with you and use it almost anywhere. You don’t have to worry about being tethered to a power outlet. And if your battery does die, you can usually get back up and running again in a matter of minutes. 

Of course, it could be that the battery itself is too old and needs replacing, especially if it has been 2-4 years since you bought your laptop. Performing this easy upgrade can help minimize boot up issues in the future.

2. Try Using a Different Power Cable

Sometimes, a computer won’t start because of a problem with the power cable. If you have a laptop, you can try to wiggle the power cord where it plugs into the computer. If this doesn’t work, try plugging it into a different outlet. 

If you have a desktop computer, try unplugging and replugging the power cord from the back of the CPU. You can also try plugging it into a different power source. If these don’t work, you may need to replace your power cord. 

Fortunately, power cords are relatively inexpensive and easy to find yourself. Simply find a reputable store that sells computer parts and choose a new power cord.

3. Check Your Display

Check if your computer display is working by looking for any error messages that may pop up on the screen. The boot-up process has probably just gotten stuck if you don’t see any error messages. In this case, you can try restarting your computer or checking to see if there are any loose cables. 

However, if you see blue screening or an error message, the issue is likely driver corruption. This means that the files that help your computer run properly are either missing or damaged. 

Driver corruption can often be fixed by reinstalling the driver, which you can do by going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest drivers for your computer model.

4. Reseat the Computer Hardware Inside

One possible reason your computer isn’t starting could be due to loose hardware. Inside your computer, there are a variety of components that need to be properly seated for the machine to function. If any of these components have come loose, it could explain why your computer isn’t starting up. 

The solution, then, is to open up your computer and reseat all of the hardware. This simply means taking out each component and putting it back in its rightful place. Once you’ve done this, try starting up your computer again. 

The problem will have been solved, and you’ll be back to working or playing in no time.

5. Check the BIOS

A problem with the BIOS can also cause boot-up issues. The BIOS is a basic input-output system that helps control how your computer starts up.

You can access the BIOS by pressing a certain key when your computer first turns on. Once you are in the BIOS, you can check the boot sequence to ensure that your computer is booting from the correct drive. 

You can also reset the BIOS to its default settings if you have changed anything and saved it incorrectly. Suppose you are still having issues after exploring the BIOS. In that case, there is likely a more serious issue with your computer, and you should take it to a professional for further diagnosis.

6. Scan for Viruses

One potential cause of your computer not starting properly is software corruption due to malware issues. You can diagnose the issue by scanning for viruses using a live CD. This will allow you to boot into a safe environment and run a virus scan without the worry of infecting your operating system. 

If you suspect that your computer has been infected with malware, this is an essential step in removal. Even if you don’t think your computer is infected, running a virus scan can rule out malware as the cause of your startup issue and help you focus on other potential causes.

If you do discover that the boot-up problem was the result of malware, you can avoid it in the future by updating your Mac regularly. 

7. Remove Unnecessary Accessories

Boot-up problems are often caused by too many accessories attached to the computer. If your computer is not starting, try removing unnecessary accessories, such as printers, scanners, or external hard drives. Once you have removed all unnecessary accessories, restart your computer and see if the problem has been resolved. 

If the boot-up issue persists, another cause may need to be addressed. However, simply removing unneeded accessories is enough to get the computer up and running again in many cases.

Know What to Do When Your Computer Is Not Starting

There are several reasons your trusty computer is not starting as it usually does. However, each of these issues is fixable, from a drained battery to a virus infection. Use the tips we’ve shared here to troubleshoot the issue and get your computer back on track.

Is your computer giving you problems? Get in touch with us today to book a repair.

Justin Drake Carroll MAC

Getting Free: How to Clean Up Your Mac Storage Space

Mac computers continue to become more popular because of the quality experiences that they provide. In fact, Apple recently became the first company in the United States to reach a market cap worth more than $3 trillion!

At the same time, many people struggle with their Mac storage space. Once they have used up their storage space they are no longer able to do the things with their computer that they enjoy.

Fortunately, this is a common problem that many people have already thought about how to solve. With the right solutions, you can generally enjoy plenty of ac storage space again.

Read on to learn all about the most important things to do to clean up your Mac storage space!

Free up Storage Space by Removing Duplicates

If you are unlucky, you may have to sacrifice important files to make room for new ones. However, in the vast majority of cases, you can find unnecessary files that are painless to eliminate. In particular, if you have duplicate files, you almost never have any reason to hesitate in deleting them.

That makes freeing up storage space a lot easier than managing more serious problems like frozen screens.

The longer you use your computer, the more likely you are to develop duplicate files. If you go through your files, you might be able to manually identify duplicates that you do not need.

At the same time, this can be an extremely time-consuming process. Fortunately, people have already solved this problem.

There are also programs you can install that will automatically search your computer for duplicate files. If you desire, you can also set them to automatically delete files.

Decrease Storage Usage by Emptying Your Trashcan

Many people try to maintain some available storage space by sending files to the trashcan. The trashcan is the same thing as the recycle bin on Windows computers.

However, not everybody realizes that sending files to the trashcan does not actually free up space. This is because those files are still being kept somewhere where you can access them.

In order to truly free up space, you were going to need to manually empty your trashcan. If you look in your trashcan, you might be surprised that it contains huge quantities of data. Simply emptying the trashcan can free up all of that data in a single fell swoop.

In many cases, the solution alone is enough to provide people with plenty of extra storage space.

However, it is important to keep in mind one potential complication. Mac computers often have multiple trashcans. For example, iMovie and iPhoto might both have separate trashcans. On top of them, there will be a general trashcan for general use.

If you are looking to maximize storage space, make sure to empty all of these trashcans. To find them, simply type the trashcan into the search bar associated with each application.

Free up Space on Your Internal Drive By Uninstalling Applications

Applications tend to accumulate over time. If you manually look through your applications, you might be surprised how many old ones you have forgotten about. Fortunately, if you have forgotten about them, that is a clear sign that you do not use them anymore.

In that case, you should feel free to uninstall them. Applications often take up hundreds of megabytes or even multiple gigabytes of space. A quick scan through your list of applications can help you free up huge quantities of storage space.

Enjoy More Space By Deleting Unnecessary Backups

Some of your applications might automatically create backups of huge quantities of files. For example, iTunes has a tendency to store backup files for every song you have access to. If you use iTunes, you can free up a ton of space by opening it up and deleting its backup files.

You might also have programs that automatically back up all kinds of files. Many people consider it worthwhile to have backups in case they lose their primary files. But if you are struggling to access the storage space you need, it might be worth it to get rid of some of your less important backup files.

Delete Temporary Files Stored on Your Solid State Drive

The longer you use your computer, the more temporary files it will accumulate. These files are sometimes useful, but they are usually not worth taking up storage space with.

For example, your Internet browser might keep a detailed history of every website you have visited. Considering how often many people use their computers, you can imagine how much data these files represent.

Clearing your browsing data can free up a ton of space that you can use for more important purposes. Keep in mind that after you do this, your browser will go right back to restoring future temporary files as you visit new websites.

As a result, you might find it useful to regularly clear your browsing data or other temporary files.

Check Storage Space Information to Identify Problem Areas

If these solutions are not working for you, it can help to get some more information. You can simply open up your hard drive to see what is taking up the majority of your space. At that point, you will know what you need to eliminate in order to free up storage space. 

Understand How to Clean up Mac Storage Space 

We hope learning about how to manage your Mac storage space has been helpful for you. Many people struggle with a lack of Mac storage space for a long time without understanding that there are established solutions that can generally solve their problems. In the vast majority of cases, you can have plenty of storage space within just a few minutes.

To learn more about how to clean up your Mac storage space or to speak with experts in computer maintenance and repair, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!

Justin Drake Carroll iPhone

iPhone Not Connecting to Your Wi-Fi: Tips, Tricks, and Things to Try

Did you know that 1.8 billion Apple devices are now active worldwide? Of that impressive number, more than a billion are of the iPhone product line. That popularity, in turn, has a lot to do with iPhones being sleek, fast, and user-friendly. Moreover, they’re easy to integrate with other Apple devices.

Unfortunately, Apple’s smartphones aren’t impervious to technical issues. A perfect example is an iPhone not connecting to Wi-Fi, a pervasive problem many users face.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t panic yet, as you can try several DIY fixes before getting your iPhone repaired by a tech.

This guide covers the top troubleshooting steps you can take, so read on.

Go Closer to Your Router

The average Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz router has an operating range of about 150 feet indoors. However, that goes up to 300 feet outdoors. Newer models can reach even greater distances.

Routers have longer ranges outdoors because there are fewer physical obstructions. Thus, their indoor effectiveness dips because of interferences like siding, walls, and floors.

Therefore, the farther your iPhone is from the wireless router; the poorer your signal can be. The more obstructions between the two, the higher the odds of your iPhone Wi-Fi not connecting.

If you can’t get any Wi-Fi connection, try moving your phone next to the router itself. Its network name should now appear in your list of Wi-Fi networks, or your phone may even auto-connect to it.

Forget It

In many cases, a Wi-Fi password change disconnects all devices connected to the router. If that happened to your network, your iPhone might keep trying to auto-connect to it.

You can fix that by going to your iPhone’s network list and forgetting the one that just had a password change.

Open your phone’s Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and tap the blue ‘i’ icon next to that network. Next, select Forget This Network and tap Forget to confirm your choice.

Go back to the Wi-Fi page of your iPhone Settings and tap the network’s name. Next, enter the new Wi-Fi Password and tap Join. As long as you key in the proper login credentials, your iPhone should connect to it within seconds.

Check for Network Outages or Problems

Perhaps it’s not your iPhone that has a Wi-Fi problem but your network itself, such as in the case of a service outage. That means your iPhone does connect to the network, but there’s no Internet service at all.

Such outages are already prevalent, but experts expect them to worsen this 2022.

You can check if your problem has to do with your Internet service by going to the Wi-Fi Settings page again. If it is, you might see a note that says “No Internet Connection.”

Before you call your Internet service provider, though, check your other devices first. If they don’t have a connection either, then it’s likely an Internet or network outage.

Your router itself may be the culprit; for instance, a power outage may have messed with the device. That can cause signal interruptions, leading to your No Internet Connection problem.

Try rebooting your router by unplugging it from the wall outlet. Wait for about 10 seconds, and then plug it back in. Next, check if your iPhone and other devices now connect to the Internet.

If not even one of them does, it’s time to contact your ISP to inform them about the problem.

Restart Your iPhone

If your iPhone is the only device not connecting to Wi-Fi, try restarting it. That may help purge your phone’s RAM of glitches interfering with the Wi-Fi connection.

Here’s how to restart an iPhone from models X to 13:

  • Press and hold either the volume up or volume down button
  • Press and hold the side button
  • Keep holding both buttons down until you see the power-off slider
  • Drag the slider to the right

If you have an iPhone 6 to 8 or 2nd to 3rd gen SE, you only have to press and hold the side button. The power-off slider should appear after a few seconds, so slide it to the right once it does.

If you have an iPhone 5 or earlier model or a 1st gen iPhone SE, the top button is what you need to press and hold down. Then, follow the rest of the steps above.

Once powered off, count to ten before turning on your iPhone.

  • Hold down the side button on iPhone models X to 13
  • Long-press the side button on iPhone models 6 to 8 or 2nd to 3rd gen SE
  • Press and hold down the top button on an iPhone 5 or older model or 1st gen SE

Keep pressing until the Apple logo appears. Wait until your phone’s screen lock page appears. Unlock it, and try connecting to the Wi-Fi again.

Update Your iPhone

Updating a Mac, iPad, and iPhone ensures they get loaded with the latest security features. Moreover, these updates usually fix hardware and software issues. That includes prior Wi-Fi bugs and other connectivity glitches.

So, download and install all available updates as soon as your iPhone prompts you. Doing so may help fix incompatibilities or problems affecting your Wi-Fi.

Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings

If your iPhone still doesn’t connect to the Wi-Fi, try resetting its Network Settings.

If you’re running iOS 15 or later, open Settings, tap General, then choose Transfer or Reset [Device]. Next, tap Reset, and finally, select Reset Network Settings.

The steps are almost the same if you have an older iOS, except you don’t need to choose Transfer or Reset [Device].

Fix That iPhone Not Connecting to Wi-Fi Now

As you can see, there are many ways to troubleshoot and fix an iPhone not connecting to Wi-Fi. It may not even be your phone but your router or ISP. Either way, rebooting or resetting your devices may help address the issue.

However, if your iPhone still doesn’t work even after all the steps above, you might have a hardware issue.

In that case, it might be best to have our team here at Fruit Fixed check your device. Email or call us now, and we’ll be happy to fix your phone ASAP.

Justin Drake Carroll Repair

Your Guide to Quickly Improving Your PC Performance

Very few things are as annoying as a sluggish PC. Unfortunately, that’s something most people have to contend with every day.

It’s worse for businesses because slow computers hurt productivity. In fact, businesses lose about $4,980 per employee because of slow computers.

The good news is that dealing with a slow PC is completely optional. There are plenty of things you can do to improve your PC’s performance. If you’ve been struggling with a slow PC, we’re here to help.

In today’s post, we’ll be discussing some of the most effective ways to quickly improve your PC performance. That way, you can enjoy a smooth and speedy computing experience.

Remove Bloatware and Unwanted Programs

The first thing you want to do is remove any bloatware on your PC. Bloatware is any piece of unnecessary software that comes pre-installed on your PC. These can take up valuable space and resources, which slows down your machine.

Removing any bloatware is as easy as going to your PC’s Control Panel and looking for the “Add/Remove Programs” or “Uninstall a Program” section. In the drop-down list, find the programs you want to remove and click “Uninstall.” If that doesn’t work, you can download a third-party cleanup program to help you out.

Scan and Remove Malware

Malware is a type of malicious software that disrupts the normal functioning of your PC. It can come in the form of viruses, worms, Trojans, and much more. Not only is malware a nuisance, but it can also lead to serious security threats.

Malware could be the reason why your PC’s performance is so lackluster, but it’s hard to tell. The only way to know if your PC has viruses is to check for viruses using a trusted anti-malware program. These programs will scan your machine for any malware and remove it safely.

Once you’ve removed any malware, be sure to run a full scan of your PC with your security program to make sure that all the threats have been taken care of.

Limit Startup Processes

Does your computer take ages to boot? If it does, it could be because of too many startup processes. When you turn on your computer, a lot of programs automatically start up as well. This can be anything from your antivirus software to Dropbox.

While some of these programs are essential, others are not. Having too many startup processes can significantly slow down your machine. To fix this, open the “System Configuration” tool and go to the “Startup” tab.

Here, you can disable any programs that you don’t want to start up automatically. Be sure to only disable programs that you don’t need running when you start your computer.

Get Rid of Old Files

“Digital hoarding” is a terrible habit that could slow down your computer’s performance. Digital hoarding is the habit of storing too many files on your computer, even those you don’t need. This only takes up your PC’s space and hurts its performance.

If you want to improve your machine’s performance, it’s time to declutter your PC. Go through your files and folders and delete anything that you don’t need. This includes old photos, videos, documents, and more.

Again, if you don’t want to do it manually, you can use a third-party clean-up tool. Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, you’ll be surprised at how much faster your computer runs.

Add RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a volatile type of storage that holds programs’ data while they run. When you close the program, all its data gets wiped off the RAM.

That said, the more RAM you have, the more programs you can run on your PC simultaneously. Most people can’t run more than two programs on their PCs without them freezing. If this describes you, adding extra RAM will solve all your problems.

If you don’t know how to install RAM chips on your PC, get a professional to help you out. Otherwise, you may end up damaging your PC.

Disable Background Applications

Background applications are programs that run in the background, even when you’re not using them. Although subtle, these background apps are detrimental to your PC’s performance. If you want better performance from your PC, consider disabling them.

It’s worth noting that not all background applications are unnecessary. Disabling all background applications might do more harm than good. Thankfully, your PC lets you decide which apps you want to disable.

To disable these applications, go to your “Task Manager” and click on the “Startup” tab. Here, you’ll see all the applications that start up when you boot your machine.

From here, you can disable any application that doesn’t need to run in the background. Once you’ve made your changes, restart your PC and see how it performs. You can also run a performance test to check if you

Delete Cookies and Browsing History

Some folks don’t need a blog post to tell them to delete their browsing history, ahem! If you’re not one of them, you should know that cookies and browsing history could be slowing down their PCs.

When you visit a website, it stores a small amount of data called “cookies” on your machine. Over time, these cookies can accumulate and take up space on your hard drive. Additionally, your browsing history can also bloat up over time and affect your PC’s performance.

That said, it’s a good idea to delete your cookies and browsing history every once in a while. Doing so will free up some space on your hard drive and potentially improve your machine’s performance.

Take Your Machine for Repairs and Tune-Ups

If your PC is still running slow, it might be time to take it for repairs. A professional can diagnose any hardware or software issues that might be causing your machine to underperform.

Additionally, they can also tune up your PC to help it run faster and smoother. Although you’ll have to pay for these services, they’re worth it if you want to get the most out of your machine.

Improve Your PC Performance Today!

There are many ways you can improve your PC performance. Try some of the tips and tricks mentioned above and see how they work for you. With a little effort, you can get your PC running like new in no time!

Still having trouble? Bring your PC to the professionals at Fruit Fixed for a diagnostic and repair at a location near you.

Justin Drake Carroll Gaming Systems

Xbox Updates: How to Make Sure They Load

During the last year, Xbox subscriptions rose by 40 percent. Online connections have revolutionized gaming, doing away with the use of physical discs and allowing constant improvements with updates. Yet do you know how to deal with problems when they go wrong?

One of the most frustrating aspects of this is when updates won’t load. Read on as we discuss how to load Xbox updates. 

Reasons Your Xbox Won’t Update

Your Xbox system updates may fail for several reasons. We have listed the most common below.

Internet Connection Issues

Your home network may be one of the reasons your Xbox won’t update. You should check and see if there are any issues with your internet connection. It may be stopping or dropping out, in which case updates may take longer or not work at all. 

You can do a connection test using the Xbox itself. Press the Xbox button on the controller to open up the guide. Go into settings, followed by all settings. 

Travel to network and network settings. On the right-hand side, you should be able to select an option to test the network selection. Run the test and it will inform you if you have an issue with the connection. 

Server Issues

Occasionally, Xbox itself will update its servers. This may result in downtime for the system. You can check online to see if this is the problem or Microsoft’s own social media accounts may be able to tell you. 

Corrupt System Cache

To load games and apps quickly, the Xbox will use a temporary set of files in the system cache. When you have corrupted files it can cause issues and prevent updates from loading. You can try clearing the cache to see if the system updates. 

Corrupted Gamertag

It is rare but some problems can be caused by bugs in your Gamertag. Corrupted profiles can result in it not being able to load. In this instance, you will need to download the profile again. 

Troubleshooting When Your Xbox Won’t Update

Luckily, several solutions may solve the issues. After checking the points above, you can start the methods below to get updates working.

Power Cycling

It is a simple solution but one that is often effective. Begin by holding down the power switch on your Xbox One console and shutting it down fully. You can then turn the system back on and see if the problem is still there. 

Do a System Reset

There are two types of system reset. One will keep your games and apps and the other will remove everything. Begin by pressing the Xbox button on your controller to bring up the menu. 

Select settings then go to all settings. Go into the system menu then select the console info and updates option. Choose the option to reset your console. 

Do this using the option to keep your games and files first. As a last option, you could try a total reboot but understand that you will lose everything. 

Add a Wired Connection

If you think that part of the problem may be due to your internet connection, then you can try connecting with a LAN connection instead. Move the Xbox closer to your router and connect an ethernet cable from one end and into the back of your Xbox. Try testing the connection again and see if the problem has been resolved. 

Is There an Error Code?

When your Xbox begins to update but fails, it can give you an error code. These are used by Xbox to diagnose problems and it is possible to use them yourself to assess the situation. 

Write down the code or error message. Do a quick search online. Even if you can not find an official announcement about it, forums such as Reddit often have lots of people with the same issue discussing how they solved it. 

How Do I Bypass an Update?

Should you want to play a game without the update, it is possible. To do this you will need to go offline.

Travel to settings, go into network, and tag the offline option. If you want to turn online mode back on, then simply repeat the process. 

What Do I Do When a New Game Gets Stuck on 0%?

One update problem many people encounter is during the preparation of a new game. The console can often say ‘Preparing 0%’ and never go past this point. This can be frustrating when you are eager to play a new title you have just paid for. 

Numerous problems can cause this. Below are the main solutions that you can try.

  • Install all updates
  • Reset the cache
  • Restart the console

Failing this, if the game is a new release check online. Other people may have the same problem and the developers may be working on fixing it. 

How to Fix a Black Screen After an Update

In some instances, once an update occurs you may be met with a black screen. Start by checking it is not an issue with your television and its connection to the console. Make sure they are both on and ensure you have the right HDMI input set.

Make sure your HDMI cable is in the out to TV port on the Xbox. If it is still not working then try plugging it into a different HDMI port. Try a new HDMI cable if you still have issues. 

Should none of these happen, then follow the instructions for a full reset in the previous section. A black screen is usually an indicator of connection problems and not something to do with the Xbox itself. 

Further Troubleshooting

Now you know how to troubleshoot these Xbox updates you should be able to solve the problem. There are other related issues, but in many instances, Xbox can fix them on its end. Contact support if you can still not get it right.

Fruit Fixed should be your first stop for all your device problems. From phones to game consoles we can repair it all. Click here for information on all game consoles repairs. 

Justin Drake Carroll Uncategorized

9 Signs It’s Time for a Phone Battery Replacement

44% of people experience some kind of frustration when it comes to their phone batteries. What they don’t realize is that their problems can be easily solved!

Your phone has a natural battery life, and as a battery is used it becomes less and less efficient. This isn’t anything to be worried or frustrated about, it’s natural for a small piece of technology to decline over time. Instead of facing frustration with your phone, simply get a phone battery replacement.

Here are the signs that it’s time to replace your phone battery.

1. Your Charge Never Reaches 100%

When you charge your phone, it should incrementally gain battery until the battery percentage is 100%. If your phone never reaches that 100% mark or worse, if it loses battery while plugged in, it’s definitely time to look into a battery replacement.

2. Your Phone Dies Quickly

When you first got your phone, you probably found that you could go a whole day using it without needing to charge it. It’s normal for the battery function to diminish a bit as it nears the end of its battery life, but eventually, you’ll need to replace it.

If you find that you need to bring a portable charger with you everywhere or that your phone dies after just a few hours of use, you should take it to be serviced and receive a new smartphone battery.

3. Your Phone Won’t Turn On

This is one of the most obvious signs that there’s something wrong with your phone. If your phone turns off or runs out of battery, and you can’t turn it back on, you likely have a battery problem.

Of course, this could be a symptom of a couple of other phone issues including water damage. The best course of action for a phone that won’t turn on is to bring it into the store to be checked out by a professional. They’ll let you know if you need a new battery or a whole new phone.

4. You Have to Leave Your Phone Plugged In

We left the days of the landline a long time ago. There’s absolutely no reason that your phone should need to be connected to a wall in order to work.

If your phone will only work or stay on while it’s plugged in and charging, you definitely need to get the battery replaced. Your battery’s role is to hold onto the charge for an extended period of time and provide your phone with the power it needs. It shouldn’t need a constant source of energy from the outlet.

5. Your Battery Is Bulging

Did you know that a dead smartphone battery can leak and even explode? It can once it reaches the end of its life, and the result will be visible from the outside of your phone.

If you notice that your phone looks misshapen, has a bulge in the back, and isn’t working you may have some kind of battery leakage. That battery content can be harmful to you, so make sure that you replace it right away.

If you aren’t sure if there’s a bulge, here’s an easy test. Place the phone on its back on a flat surface. If it spins, there’s a slight bulge allowing that to happen.

6. Your Phone Heats Up Quickly

Electronics give off a certain amount of energy in the form of heat as they perform their tasks. However, technology has come far enough to mitigate some of the heat so that our electronic tools are still comfortable to hold.

If your phone heats up quickly or becomes too hot to hold while performing normal tasks, then it’s expending too much energy. This is a tell-tale sign of a battery having trouble efficiently using battery power.

This sign is especially important to notice because an overheating phone can result in an explosion. You don’t want that to happen while you’re holding your phone in your hands or close to your face.

Another important thing to notice is how hot your phone gets while charging. Overheating phones connected to power have started fires – so it’s about more than making sure you have the battery to get through the day. It’s a matter of safety too.

7. The Battery Reading Is Erratic

When you charge your phone, the battery percentage should go up. When you use your phone, the battery percentage should gradually go down. Simple enough, right?

Unfortunately, things don’t always go the way that they logically should. If you notice your phone battery fluctuating throughout the day instead of gradually decreasing, you have a battery problem. In all likelihood, the percentage reading is totally off and you don’t have as much charge as it claims you do. 

When this happens, you may find that your phone suddenly dies when it claims to have a fairly full charge.  

8. Your Phone Is More Sluggish Than It Used to Be

Have you noticed your apps functioning more slowly than they used to? Does your phone freeze, lag, have trouble saving and downloading things, connecting to the internet, sending messages, and other simple tasks? 

These are all signs of a battery problem. While it’s normal for your phone to eventually decrease in speed and efficiency as it ages, it should still be usable without frustration. A slow and lagging phone could mean a battery problem if there’s no other source to the issue.

9. Check the Battery Report

Here’s a very easy way to find out it’s time for a battery replacement. Check the battery report!

Most smartphones today have an option in the settings to read about how well your battery is functioning. If its battery function is below 80%, the problem will be noticeable, and it’s time to get it fixed!

Even if you can’t access the report yourself, you can take it to a repair store, and they should be able to check for you before going through the repair process.

Phone Battery Replacement Made Easy

Once you know the signs of a declining battery, you’ll be able to choose to get a phone battery replacement quickly. At the first sign of trouble, go find a repair shop to get a new battery. Then you won’t have to face any of the frustrations of a sluggish or quickly dying phone.

Need some battery repair for your phone? Find a repair location near you.

Justin Drake Carroll Repair

7 Practical Ways to Finance Your Smartphone Repair

47% of people are embarrassed by their cracked iPhone screen. After all, it looks unprofessional and can even be dangerous, since you can cut yourself on the broken glass. You want to get it fixed as soon as possible, but what if the budget is tight this month? Since smartphone repair is a sudden expense you might not have budgeted for, it can be sometimes hard to finance the repair cost.

However, you have more finance options than you may think! To learn more, keep reading to find seven of the most practical ways to finance your smartphone maintenance, so your iPhone or Android looks as good as new in no time!

1. Use Your Credit Card

If you’re in desperate need of electronic help, one of the easiest ways to pay for your smartphone repair is with your credit card. Most of us have a credit card that we only use for emergencies, but a damaged phone definitely counts as an emergency!

We depend on our phones for work, connecting with loved ones, and even navigation to and from new places, so having a functional phone is essential to daily life as we know it.

If you’re worried about your credit card bill, aim to pay it off as soon as you can, once your next paycheck comes in.

Or, if you don’t have a credit card, it might be worth opening one to get your phone fixed quickly. Repairing a damaged phone will almost always be cheaper than purchasing a new phone outright, so you’re still coming out ahead and limiting how much you charge on your new card.

2. Ask a Friend or Relative for a Loan

It’s not an option for everyone, but sometimes you can finance your smartphone repair with help from a relative or friend. If they’re willing to loan you the money, this is a helpful way to get your device repaired quickly.

Just be sure to confirm the repayment terms in advance, so both parties know what’s expected of them. And always honor your deal, making sure you pay back your friend or relative as soon as you can.

One big advantage of a personal loan from someone you know and trust is that they generally won’t ask for interest, which will save you money in the long run.

3. Sell Some Unwanted Gear

If you love your smartphone, chances are that you have plenty of other electronic devices as well. However, many of us have old electronics that we’ve since upgraded, but no longer use.

Could you consider selling a few of your unwanted electronics? This can be an effective way to get cash fast and you can sell online on sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Amazon.

It helps to concentrate on the gadgets with the highest resale values, like game consoles, iPads, Google Chromecast, and any vintage audio equipment, like record players.

Or, you could take them to a pawn shop, but they don’t always offer the most competitive prices.

4. Take Out a Personal Loan

Sometimes, smartphone maintenance and repairs come at the most inconvenient times, so if the money just isn’t in the bank, consider taking out a personal loan.

Many banks and private lenders will offer personal loans, even if your credit isn’t perfect. However, your bank is the best starting point, as they’ll usually have the most competitive rates.

5. Consider a Payday Advance

If you need a smartphone repair done as soon as possible, there’s not always time to wait for Friday’s paycheck. For urgent repairs, consider getting a payday advance to cover the cost.

Sometimes, your employer may be willing to help with this, as long as you’re a trusted employee. Or, consider a payday advance or loan.

Quite a few companies advertise and offer payday loans, but be sure to read the fine print first. This is because some offer high interest rates, so be sure to get the best possible rate—and then pay it off as soon as you can.

6. Ask About Payment Plans

Some repair companies might offer payment plans, allowing you to pay for the repairs in installments. While not always possible, it never hurts to ask and could help you pay for your repairs over time.

7. Trade in an Older Smartphone

When you bought your current smartphone, which now needs repairs, what did you do with your current previous smartphone? If you still have it, and it’s in working order, you might be able to sell it or trade it in.

Many electronics shops will buy pre-owned mobile phones that are still working, so consider selling yours if you need money to finance your repair. Generally, the newer the smartphone, the more value it has.

As a last resort, you might be able to move your SIM card into your old phone until you have the money to repair your new phone. 

Contact Us for All of Your Smartphone Repair Needs

If your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other tech gear is in need of some urgent repair, Fruit Fixed is here to help. We’re a skilled and friendly group of electronics enthusiasts, with seven locations across Virginia.

With a low price guarantee, we ensure the best possible smartphone repair price for our customers—if you find a better price, we’ll beat it by $5, because we know repairs can be a big expense. We use only the highest quality parts and pride ourselves on top-notch customer service.

Contact us today or stop into one of our stores. Our team can’t wait to help you!

Justin Drake Carroll Apple

7 Common Apple Watch Problems and How to Fix Them

Around 43 million people purchased Apple Watches in 2020. Owning an Apple Watch offers many great perks, including the ability to receive your phone notifications on your wrist. These watches also track your heart rate, play music, and assist with navigation services. 

While owning an Apple Watch is great, these watches experience problems from time to time. 

Here are seven common Apple Watch problems that you might experience, along with tips on fixing these issues.

1. It Keeps Asking for Your Passcode

You shouldn’t have to keep entering your passcode on your Apple Watch, yet some owners find that this annoying problem happens to them.

Their phones keep asking for their passcodes, and no matter what they do, they can’t get it to stop. If this happens to your watch, you can try several things. 

First, make sure you update your phone and watch with the latest software updates. After that, check your phone to ensure that it’s logged in and paired with your watch. You might even want to pair it again.

You can also turn the watch off and then on again to see if this clears the issue. If not, you might need to talk to a shop that fixes watches and offers Apple Watch maintenance. 

2. Your Apple Watch Won’t Unlock

You might also need Apple Watch repair if your watch doesn’t unlock. You can try several methods to unlock it before taking it to a shop. 

Many Apple Watch owners experienced this problem after the iOS 14.7 update. Fortunately, Apple issued the iOS 14.7.1 update to correct it. If you don’t have this update yet, download it to see if it fixes the problem.

You can also try two other methods if your watch doesn’t unlock. First, you can shut off your watch and phone and turn them back on. Secondly, you can unpair them and pair them again. 

3. The Watch Doesn’t Turn on When Your Lift Your Wrist

One common annoyance with the Apple Watch is when it doesn’t turn on when you lift your wrist. Of course, the phone should turn on when you do this, but specific issues can prevent it from turning on. 

When a watch malfunctions like this, you might need to adjust the settings in your phone. The main setting to look at is the Wake Screen setting, located in the General section. 

You might also want to read through Apple’s Support Communities. You can find forums there with posts from users who’ve experienced problems with their watches. You can learn a lot from reading these.

Your phone might also need some electronic maintenance or repairs. If you can’t get it to work, bring it to a shop that offers Apple Watch repairs. 

4. The Screen Comes Loose

Another common problem people experience with their Apple Watches is with the screens. The screen on the watch might come loose or even fall out. If it falls out, you might lose it and need a new one.

If your screen is loose or falls out, you can try pushing it back in place. However, this doesn’t typically fix the problem. 

When the screen falls out, it typically happens from a battery problem. For example, the battery in the watch might swell up, which means it expands. As a result, the screen pops off. 

If you have problems involving the screen coming loose, you’ll need professional help to fix it. You can find a shop that offers repairs for all models. 

5. Your Watch Won’t Pair With Your Phone

Some Apple Watch users face problems when pairing their watches with their phones. You might get yours paired at first, but you might lose it. 

The first solution for this is going through the pairing process again. If you try to pair it again, it might solve the problem. 

Next, you might want to reboot your watch and phone to see if this makes a difference. To do this, press on the digital crown and sidebar simultaneously and hold for 20 seconds. 

When trying to pair the two devices, make sure they’re close enough together. If they’re too far away, you’ll experience difficulties. 

6. It Won’t Turn On

When your Apple Watch no longer turns on, you might have a problem that requires professional help. The Apple Watch battery might need to be replaced, or there might be another issue causing this to happen. 

The battery might be fine in some cases, but the charging unit might not work. If you think you’re charging the watch but aren’t really, the watch might not be charged. As a result, it won’t turn on.

If you troubleshoot this issue, you might find the resolution. However, if your watch still won’t work, you’ll need to take it to a shop for repairs. 

7. The Screen Breaks 

While Apple Watches are highly durable, the screens can still break. A broken screen is not a problem you should attempt to repair yourself. 

To fix a broken screen, you must remove the current one. Next, you must install a new one on the phone. Unfortunately, you’ll need the right tools to do this, and you’ll need to know what you’re doing.

If you make any mistakes while replacing it, you could damage the internal parts of the watch. Additionally, replacing a screen requires buying the right parts. 

If you want an easy solution for a broken screen, find a shop that offers Apple Watch repairs. They’ll give you a quote for replacing the screen, and the watch will be as good as new when they complete the services. 

Get Repairs When You Experience Any Apple Watch Problems 

You might be able to fix some Apple Watch problems you experience, but others might require the help of a professional. You can get the electronic repair you need by contacting us.

We offer numerous locations in Virginia and can fix any problem you have with our low price guarantee. Use the contact feature on our website to get in touch with us at Fruit Fixed if you want to learn more about our services.

Justin Drake Carroll Phone FAQs

8 Tips for Keeping Your Phone Battery Healthy

These days, phones are more than just phones. 97 percent of Americans have cellphones that they use — and this isn’t just because they like to communicate on the go. Our phones are portable dictionaries, encyclopedias, checkbooks, and calenders. However, mobile phones come with a serious disadvantage — batteries. Many people run around their daily lives with low battery anxiety. If you want to keep your phone working, you’re going to have to care about the health of your phone battery. 

But how exactly do you take care of this pesky part of modern technology? Read on as we walk you through everything you need to know. 

1. Stop Charging at 100 Percent 

Of course, if you want to keep your battery healthy, you’re going to have to charge it. Our tradeoff when we switched from a connected-by-wires world to a mobile world was that we’d have to make sure we loaded up these devices with limited lives. 

However, it’s possible to charge your phone battery for too long. 

If you charge your phone after it hits 100 percent, you run the risk of overcharging your battery. If this happens, you’ll create unstable conditions inside of the battery, which can lead to reduced efficiency. 

2. Run a Charge Cycle

To make sure that your battery stays healthy and calibrated, run a “charge cycle” every once in a while. This is when you let your battery drain completely to zero until it turns off. Then, let it charge all the way — without use — straight up to 100. 

This will effectively remind your battery of its full capabilities. It will reduce those annoying severe drops that can happen when your battery isn’t very healthy. 

3. Keep Your Phone Out Of the Sun 

Did you know that direct sunlight can damage your phone’s battery? The effectiveness of a battery is vastly influenced by its temperature. This is why your laptop has fans to keep it cooled down. 

If you leave your phone out in the sun, your battery could very easily get corroded. If this happens, you’ll notice a serious drop in the quality, efficiency, and charge of this phone’s battery. 

The sun can also cause your battery’s fluid to evaporate. If this happens, you’ll see a similar drop in quality from your battery’s performance. 

Heat can also overcharge your battery, which as we mentioned earlier, is never good. 

On top of all of this, excessive heat isn’t good for any part of your phone. Leaving your touchscreen out long enough will cause your touchscreen to lose efficiency and might even cause data loss. 

4. Close Your Apps 

It can be hard to keep track of all of the apps you have open on your phone.

On your computer, you have a large screen to look at. Every one of your tabs and apps are evenly laid out. 

This isn’t true on your phone. It’s easy to accidentally minimize a window instead of exiting out of it completely. You can go days without realizing that you still have this window open. 

Certain apps drain a lot of your battery. If you have several of these open at once while running about with standard phone activities, you can cause your battery some serious strain. 

Make it a point to clear out all your windows and apps at the beginning and end of the day. This will ensure that your battery stays healthy and doesn’t get overworked. 

5. Get it Serviced

Sometimes, you have to simply admit defeat. If your phone maintenance mission has failed, you don’t need to fret. Realizing that your phone needs phone repair is also very important in making sure that your phone battery stays healthy.

Check out the electronic repair section of our website. From there, you’ll see that we’ll be able to repair the battery of any sort of smartphone you might have. 

6. Limit Your Location Settings 

GPS tracking services cause a serious strain on your battery. It’s impossible to completely get rid of these, as they allow you to use many of the contemporary technologies that we consider parts of our daily life.

However, your phone might be set to automatically always give out your GPS information. If this isn’t what you want, then altering your GPS and location settings can help you out. 

Your phone’s battery-saving mode is already able to reduce certain GPS capabilities. If you want to save yourself some privacy and battery health as well, consider turning on your battery-saving mode. 

7. Switch to a Dark Theme

If your phone has the capability of switching to a dark theme, you should try it out. The brighter and lighter your theme is, the more battery it will drain. 

If you don’t want to go dark all the time, your phone might be able to automatically switch to a dark mode exclusively for the night time. 

If your phone doesn’t have a dark theme, you might be able to improvise something. Set your wallpaper as simple and dark and you’ll notice results. 

8. Limit Your Wifi 

Your phone is largely automated to try to help you out. However, as we saw with location settings, this can end up damaging your battery. 

Your phone might have a feature where it automatically tries to link up with whatever wifi is nearest. This can be annoying if you have a good data plan and simply want to use your data. It will also drain your battery. 

Turn off this capability and you’ll see your battery performance improve. 

Keep Your Phone Battery Healthy 

Phone batteries are one of the most important — but one of the most annoying — features of modern technology. If you want to enjoy the amazing things that contemporary cellphones can bring you, you’re going to have to take care of your phone battery.

Make use of the above tips and you’re more likely to have a healthy phone battery. 

For more information on the health of your phone, check out the rest of our blog. 

Justin Drake Carroll Repair

The Ultimate Guide to Frozen Screens

Did you know that the average American checks their phone at least 58 times per day? With that much phone contact, you’re bound to experience the dreaded frozen screen at some point in your life. The same goes for laptops. 

There’s nothing worse than a frozen screen during the middle of something important. It seems our devices only freeze at the most inconvenient moments. 

When it happens, your brain freezes, too. You’re not sure whether to restart your device and pray you don’t lose your work or burn it and buy a new one. 

If you’re experiencing frozen screens, you’re not alone. Find out how to fix them, how to avoid them, and when it’s time to call in the experts. 

Why Do Screens Freeze?

If your laptop or phone freezes regularly, it could point to various issues.

Here are the main reasons why: 

  • Power or charging issues
  • Too many applications running simultaneously
  • Software problems
  • Outdated operation system
  • Viruses and malware
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hardware issues

Some issues are more severe than others. For example, hardware issues are best-taken care of by your local repairer. 

How to Troubleshoot a Frozen Laptop Screen

Laptops are great when they work, frustrating when they don’t. Before tossing your laptop out the window, try these steps. 

1. Restart Your Laptop

Typically, restarting your laptop will solve any basic errors. Doing so gives your laptop’s system a chance to reset and start afresh. 

2. Force Quit Any Programs Causing Your Laptop to Freeze

When too many software programs run simultaneously, your system can get overwhelmed. Websites can lag, freeze, or even crash. 

You can force quit by: 

  • CTRL + ALT + DEL (Windows) 
  • Option + Command + ESC (Mac) 

You must press these buttons at the same time. 

3. Start Your Laptop in Safe Mode

Safe Mode provides access to utility and diagnostic programs to help the user troubleshoot what prevents the computer from running correctly.

To access Safe Mode (Windows): 

  • Restart computer 
  • Press F8 until the Boot Options menu is displayed
  • Select Safe Mode 

To access Safe Mode (Mac): 

  • Restart your Mac, then press and hold shift 
  • Release the key when the login screen appears 
  • Log in to macOS
  • Notice the words “Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner 

You can also update your device drivers, restore your system to a previous state, or scan for viruses. 

How to Troubleshoot a Frozen Phone Screen

It isn’t fun when your phone freezes while you’re trying to stalk your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend on Facebook. Before smashing your phone in frustration, try these steps. 

1. Restart Your Phone

If the screen is frozen, restarting your phone will usually solve the problem. Doing so gives your phone’s system a chance to reset and start afresh. 

2. Force Your Phone to Restart

If the screen is still frozen, you can force it to restart. This will help clear the errors causing your phone to freeze without deleting apps or data. 

3. Free Up Storage Space

Try this step if you’ve been receiving alerts that you don’t have enough storage. 

For iPhone users, you can back up onto the cloud. For android users, you can use the “free up space” tool. If you have a phone with an SD card slot, you can also move your files onto that. 

4. Update Your Operating System

If your phone is still frozen, you may need to update your operating system. It can improve user experience and automatically update your apps. 

Installing regular updates will improve the stability of your software, remove outdated features and valid security concerns.

Anything Else? 

A frozen phone also can sometimes mean a low battery. Recharging it may solve the problem. You should also check for problematic apps and remove them. 

If all of the above doesn’t work, you may have to do a factory reset. You should only use it as a last resort as it will wipe all your data and apps. 

How to Avoid Frozen Screens?

If you can’t afford to lose time (and money) dealing with a frozen screen, you can take steps to avoid the issue. Here are some easy ways you can prevent your device from freezing. 

Regularly Install Updates

Yes, they’re sometimes annoying. But, software providers release updates to improve the functions of your device. All of these updates are aimed at making the user experience better. 

Remove Unreliable Apps

A potential cause of freezing screens is unreliable apps. They use up a substantial amount of your phone’s resources and slow the device down.

In some cases, a basic restart will fix the problem, but others require you to delete the app or seek out further repairs. 

Ensure Your Have Enough Storage

Storage space can affect the performance of your device. When your phone or laptop is deficient in storage, it will start to lag and eventually freeze up. 

You can free up your storage by deleting unwanted apps, old files, photos, videos and clearing your cache.

You can use SD or MicroSD cards for MacBook users to boost your total storage. 

Reset at Least Once a Day

Regular phone and laptop maintenance is your best chance to avoid any freezing issues. If you continue to experience problems, at least you know you have tried everything you can to avoid them.

Sometimes it’s just out of your control. 

Say Goodbye to Frozen Screens Today

At least 84% of American households own a smartphone, while 78% own a desktop or laptop. 

With that many devices, you can only imagine how many people experience frozen screens every day. However, with regular electronic maintenance, you can lessen the chance of your device experiencing the dreaded frozen screen. 

But sometimes regular laptop and phone maintenance aren’t enough. If you have tried to fix your device to no avail, it’s time to call in the experts at Fruit Fixed. 

We specialize in electronic repair, including smartphones, laptops, MacBooks, iPhones, and more. If your device needs a new screen? We can do that too. 

Don’t let a frozen screen ruin your day! 

Drop by one of our several locations today. No appointment is necessary.