troubleshoot
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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to discover and eliminate problems or malfunctions in (software, mechanical equipment, etc.).
When using web conferencing platforms, it's important to troubleshoot your tech before joining the call.
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to discover and eliminate (problems or malfunctions in software, mechanical equipment, etc).
I had to troubleshoot an error that was freezing me out of the program.
Usage
What does troubleshoot mean? To troubleshoot is to resolve a dispute, fix a problem, or eliminate something that causes trouble, as in Before throwing away your toaster, why not troubleshoot it to find the problem?To troubleshoot is also to act or work as a troubleshooter, as in Naomi was promoted to troubleshoot the IT department’s toughest issues. A troubleshooter is often a person with good problem-solving skills and a deep knowledge about the thing they’re troubleshooting. Both troubleshooted and troubleshot are acceptable past tense versions of the verb troubleshoot. Because shooted is not the past tense of shoot, you may hear troubleshot more often.Example: I tried to troubleshoot the app myself, but it just isn’t working right.
Etymology
Origin of troubleshoot
First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from troubleshooter
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Behind the scenes, Tesla engineers worked overtime to troubleshoot technical issues, according to people on the ground.
There is a difference between studying an issue to death and ensuring residents aren’t test subjects for tech companies troubleshooting their operations on our roads.
David Zhang, CEO at High Torque, a robotics company from China, troubleshoots Pi Plus on the floor of the exhibition hall.
From Los Angeles Times
The firm’s crew was in Hawaii’s jungles to troubleshoot.
They were able to troubleshoot connection issues and explain technical features clearly.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
