troubleshooting

American  

[truhb-uhl-shoot-ing] / ˈtrʌb əlˌʃut ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of discovering and resolving problems, disputes, or mechanical or technical issues.

   The first step in cellphone troubleshooting is simple: restart your device.

   The customer support position involves troubleshooting, researching solutions, and providing resolutions to consumer problems.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the process of discovering and resolving problems, disputes, or mechanical or technical issues.

   If you’ve already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, please make sure to mention them.

Etymology

Origin of troubleshooting

First recorded in 1915–20; troubleshoot ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; troubleshoot ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

"From selecting materials and 3D printing, to troubleshooting electronics and satisfying requirements, working collaboratively with Yuji and Xinyu has been extremely rewarding," Mr. Kogios said.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2026

Travelers are still hunting behind furniture for outlets and troubleshooting “smart” TVs that won’t stream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The staff at units handling return processing, customer service and troubleshooting are almost 20% smaller, according to a Treasury Department watchdog report last fall.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

Its help center includes detailed articles on setup, troubleshooting and router installation.

From Salon • Dec. 12, 2025

Through 1935, the twenty-seven-inch had exhibited a persistent tetchiness that kept grad students and technicians busy troubleshooting in its innards for hours on end.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik