Troubleshooting: meaning, definitions and examples

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troubleshooting

 

[ ˈtrʌbəlˌʃuːtɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

technical

The act or process of identifying and solving problems in a system or machine.

Synonyms

debugging, fault-finding, problem-solving.

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Word Description / Examples
troubleshooting

Used when identifying and resolving problems, particularly in technical or mechanical systems. Often applied in IT and engineering fields.

  • John is troubleshooting the network issue.
  • The technician spent hours troubleshooting the broken machine.
problem-solving

A more general term used across various fields to describe the process of finding solutions to complex issues or challenges.

  • She is excellent at problem-solving and often helps resolve team conflicts.
  • Effective problem-solving requires a creative approach.
debugging

Primarily used in software development and programming to identify and remove bugs or errors in code.

  • She is debugging the application to fix performance issues.
  • The development team is debugging the new software release.
fault-finding

Generally used to identify faults in systems, equipment, or processes, often in more technical or engineering contexts. Can also imply a critical or negative approach when assessing other people's work.

  • The electrician is fault-finding to fix the electrical outage.
  • His constant fault-finding is demotivating the team.

Examples of usage

  • The technician performed troubleshooting on the computer to fix the issue.
  • Troubleshooting is an essential skill for IT professionals.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The act of finding and fixing problems or difficulties in a complex situation.

Synonyms

conflict resolution, issue resolution, problem-solving.

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Word Description / Examples
troubleshooting

When diagnosing and addressing technical problems, especially with electronics, machinery, or software.

  • The IT team is troubleshooting the server issues.
  • She is excellent at troubleshooting hardware malfunctions.
problem-solving

When finding solutions to a wide range of challenges, whether technical, personal, or academic.

  • Problem-solving skills are essential in every job.
  • She used her strong problem-solving abilities to improve the project.
issue resolution

When resolving various types of problems or concerns, typically in customer service or support settings.

  • Our customer service team is dedicated to issue resolution.
  • Effective issue resolution is a key factor in customer satisfaction.
conflict resolution

When dealing with interpersonal or group conflicts, aimed at finding a peaceful solution to disagreements.

  • The manager is skilled in conflict resolution and often mediates disputes among team members.
  • Conflict resolution workshops can improve workplace harmony.

Examples of usage

  • Effective troubleshooting helped resolve the conflict in the team.
  • She used her troubleshooting skills to navigate through the challenging project.
Context #3 | Verb

technical

To identify and solve problems in a system or machine.

Synonyms

debug, fix, resolve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
troubleshooting

Used when systematically identifying and solving problems within systems, devices, or software. Often required when the specific issue is not immediately clear and needs thorough investigation.

  • The team spent the entire afternoon troubleshooting the network issues.
  • Effective troubleshooting can significantly reduce downtime in the event of technical failures.
debug

Pertains specifically to the process of identifying and fixing bugs or errors in software or code.

  • The developers need to debug the new application before the release date.
  • Debugging can sometimes be a tedious but necessary task in programming.
fix

A general term used for repairing or correcting problems in various contexts. It is often used once the issue is identified and the solution is implemented.

  • Can you fix the printer? It's not working properly.
  • The software update should fix the issues users were experiencing.
resolve

Used when addressing and eliminating problems or conflicts, often implying that the issue has been comprehensively dealt with. Common in formal or professional settings.

  • The customer service team managed to resolve the client's complaint quickly.
  • We need to resolve all the discrepancies before the next audit.

Examples of usage

  • He is troubleshooting the network connectivity issue.
  • She troubleshooted the software glitch efficiently.

Translations

Translations of the word "troubleshooting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 resolução de problemas

🇮🇳 समस्या निवारण

🇩🇪 Fehlerbehebung

🇮🇩 pemecahan masalah

🇺🇦 усунення несправностей

🇵🇱 rozwiązywanie problemów

🇯🇵 トラブルシューティング

🇫🇷 dépannage

🇪🇸 solución de problemas

🇹🇷 sorun giderme

🇰🇷 문제 해결

🇸🇦 استكشاف الأخطاء وإصلاحها

🇨🇿 odstraňování problémů

🇸🇰 odstraňovanie problémov

🇨🇳 故障排除

🇸🇮 odpravljanje težav

🇮🇸 vandamálalausnir

🇰🇿 ақауларды түзету

🇬🇪 პრობლემების მოგვარება

🇦🇿 problemlərin həlli

🇲🇽 solución de problemas

Etymology

The term 'troubleshooting' originated in the early 1900s, combining the words 'trouble' and 'shooting'. It initially referred to the process of finding faults in machinery or equipment, particularly in the context of firearms. Over time, the term evolved to encompass problem-solving in various technical and general situations, becoming a common practice in fields such as technology, engineering, and customer support.

See also: troubled, troublemaker, troubles, troubleshoot, troubleshooter, troublesome, troubling, untroubled.