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.
Reliable and responsive customer support can also make a significant difference when troubleshooting issues.
From Salon
There is a growing network of municipal officials across the U.S. who talk regularly to compare notes, troubleshoot funding shortfalls and strategize on ways to respond to events in Washington given their limited individual capacity.
They troubleshoot when a car breaks down on the trip to southern Illinois.
From Seattle Times
To troubleshoot, he sets out to locate the plant’s root and finds himself in an underground world.
From New York Times
He said CBP should dedicate some employees to process migrants who need help troubleshooting the app, much like cashiers available to help customers who get stuck when using the self-checkout line at a grocery store.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
