HDMI which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface is an audio/video interface that can be used to interconnect various multimedia devices. One of the common use for HDMI is when a CPU is connected to a monitor and a projector. Aside from that, it can also be used in connecting Blu-ray players and laptops to televisions as well as monitors.
One of the main advantages of using HDMI is that it can transmit both audio and video at high qualities such as 4K using only a single connection. However, you may also experience some issues in using it every now and then and one of them is when you find that after connecting the devices using the HDMI port, the screen appears to be black and there is no audio output. In such cases, there are a variety of hardware malfunctions that could be causing the problem with the HDMI connectivity. Although there a lot of potential causes, there are also potential fixes you can try to fix the problem.
Before you troubleshoot the HDMI Port problem, you might want to perform System Restore first as it might help you in fixing the problem. It could be that you’ve made some changes in some of the settings in your computer that triggered the problem. Thus, you can try run System Restore to undo them, refer to these steps:
First, press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the Stop error is fixed or not.
If the problem still persists after System Restore, then follow the given options below to further troubleshoot the problem.
Option 1 – Try to physically check the hardware of your computer
The first thing you can do is to check the physical status of the hardware in your computer. You can clean the dust off the hardware components like the Network Card or Graphics Card of the computer. You might want to use a small blower or you could also use a soft cloth and run the components gently. Make sure that you don’t damage any parts with moisture or cause harm to any circuits while you carry out this task.
Option 2 – Run the Video Playback troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Video Playback troubleshooter. To do so, refer to these steps:
First, open the Windows settings app.
Then navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, scroll down until you see the Video Playback section and click on it.
After that, you’ll see the Run the troubleshooter button, click on it to run the Video Playback troubleshooter, and follow the next on-screen instructions.
On other hand, you can also run the Hardware and Device troubleshooter if the Video Playback troubleshooter wasn’t able to fix the problem. You can run it from the same page that you run the Video Playback troubleshooter.
Option 3 – Try to rollback, update, or disable the Graphics card drivers
To fix the problem with the HDMI port, you can either roll back, update or disable them depending on your preference in order to resolve the problem.
First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters. Note that the rollback option is only available if the update was recent. So if it isn’t there, just click on the Update Driver option.
From there, Windows will automatically check for problems and update the Graphics card drivers.
Now restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
Option 4 – Try to reset the Monitor
You could also try resetting the monitor or television using its hardware keys and see if it can resolve the problem. You can just refer to your TV or monitor’s guide for more information on how to reset them.
Option 5 – Try some miscellaneous fixes
Apart from the four given options above, you can also check out some miscellaneous fixes to fix the HDMI connectivity issue and here they are:
You can try to plug out the HDMI cord/cable from both source and destination and then plug it back in after a couple of minutes.
You can also check if the HDMI cable you are using is still in working condition.
You can also try to change the source and the destination of the video and see if either one of them is in a non-workable state.
Try checking if your settings are how they should be as intended in the “Project my screen” option by tapping the Win + P key combination on your keyboard.
Google Docs has cemented itself as a great free alternative to Microsoft Office Word. Most of the time people just share links to google Docs among themselves but sometimes you need to save and download files.
Luckily Google docs let you download easily files in various formats including PDF as well. In this short tutorial we will explain how can you download your Google document as a PDF file.
Saving Google Docs as a PDF
Open the Google document inside the browser and click on the File drop-down menu. In the file drop-down menu go to Download and choose PDF document. Next, choose the location where you would like your file to be saved and click on SAVE.
And that's all that needs to be done. Also, you can edit PDF files as well in google docs if you need to.
Wondering if upgrading to Windows 11 will boost your gaming experience? We can’t give you a straightforward answer, sadly. But we can take you through the tweaks you can expect if you have all the right requirements and help you make a final decision.
Is Windows 11 good for gaming?
Essentially, the answer to this question is yes. Microsoft has definitely added a bunch of enhancements and features to its latest OS to give gamers the best possible experience. However, you have to keep in mind that this may not work out smoothly for every single user.
Whether you’ll be able to fully take advantage of the Windows 11 gaming features really depends on your setup. As expected, Windows 11 has more demanding system requirements than its predecessor.
Credit: Florian Olivo on Unsplash
So, unless your hardware can run the new OS comfortably, you might not be able to make the most of all these gaming perks. In that case, we recommend you first upgrade your hardware and then make the switch. Be prepared to be a little surprised by a few other interesting changes in comparison to Windows 10, though!
For some of the new gaming features to work, it’ll also be necessary for you to have an NVMe SSD and an HDR-compatible monitor. So let’s take a look at 4 big improvements you can expect if your setup is compatible.
Gaming enhancements on Windows 11
1. Enjoy faster loading speed with DirectStorage
For this powerful feature to work, you need a compatible graphics card and, as stated before, an NVMe SSD. It’s also important for your GPU to support the DirectX 12 graphics API at least. And since we’re on that subject, you’ll be happy to know that Windows 11 has also introduced a new version of the API called DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Now, what does DirectStorage do? It’s a new feature designed to make full use of the speedy storage of NVMe SSDs. It also transfers game data directly onto the graphics card, lightening the load on your CPU. Normally the CPU would have to decompress the data first, but DirectStorage helps bypass this. That’s how loading times are reduced and games run more smoothly.
2. Fully immerse yourself through Game Mode
Windows 11’s Game Mode is certainly a welcomed addition. When you turn on Game Mode, usage of background apps that aren’t essential to your game is reduced. This results in the game you’re running becoming a priority process. This way, it uses your hardware and system resources to the max. Ultimately, the Game Mode means less lag and higher frame rates so you can play undisturbed and fully enjoy your gaming session.
3. Vibrant visual experience thanks to AutoHDR
For this one you’ll absolutely need an HDR-compatible monitor. Basically, HDR (High Dynamic Range) means a wider range of contrasts and colors that can be displayed on a monitor.
Windows 10 has an HDR feature, but you have to turn it on and off manually (“Use HDR”). Plus, users have reported that, if left on, it results in an unappealing appearance of content other than movies and games.
Windows 11 fixes that problem with its AutoHDR feature. Toggling it results in the system automatically adjusting the color contrast, balance and brightness based on what you’re currently looking at. For gamers, this means vivid imagery in every single game, resulting in a supreme visual experience. You can check out Microsoft’s own video showcasing the power of AutoHDR.
Aside from AutoHDR, another way Windows 11 improves the visual aspect is through its support for refresh rates of up to 360Hz.
4. Xbox Game Pass & Game Bar
It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to integrate Windows and Xbox. We’ve seen some attempts with Windows 10, but they’re pretty wonky compared to the new OS.
Windows 11’s built-in Xbox Game Bar enables quite a few options all gamers desire. You can take screenshots and videos of your game and send them, for starters. Furthermore, you can use it to see audio settings and monitor your PC’s performance without having to leave the game or open the Task Manager.
Widgets are also a really cool part of the Game Bar. You can choose from a wide variety of widgets, such as Xbox Achievements, Spotify, Gallery, Xbox Social and more.
Moreover, the Xbox Game Pass has been streamlined on Windows 11. Game Pass is a subscription service that unlocks hundreds of awesome games and supports cloud streaming. Do keep in mind that the games are only unlocked for a certain period of time, as the selection rotates once in a while.
What can you do for a better gaming experience?
Windows 11 does offer tweaks that require zero input from you. However, there are a few things you can do manually to get even more out of your new OS while gaming.
Turn off enhanced pointer precision. Most games enhance precision by default, so having this feature on might interfere with that.
Make sure to select your high performance graphics card for each game. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and tap ‘Graphics’ from the ‘Related settings’ menu. Find the game you want to adjust, click on ‘Options’ and choose your high performance graphics card to be the default setting. While there, you can also turn on ‘Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling’ at the top.
Disable unnecessary apps and programs. As long as they aren’t essential to running your game, they might take up valuable system resources, so disable them to make space for your gaming requirements.
Check for pending updates and install them. It’s well-known that out-of-date software causes bugs, latency and crashes. The same goes for your GPU drivers.
Use the High-performance power plan (Control Panel > Power Options > Additional plans) to maximize the use of resources for the best possible performance.
Summary
Windows 11 has done quite a bit for avid gamers. We hope your setup is compatible with all these new features and you can experience these enhancements ASAP!
Error Code 40 is a device driver error that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating systems. It occurs when the peripheral device that you connect to your PC cannot be accessed due to a change in the system registry.
This is due to the presence of invalid sub-keys of the device driver in the system registry.
It is a common error that users come across and appears on your PC with either of the following messages:
“Information in the registry entry for this driver is invalid”
OR
"Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly. (Code 40)"
Solution
Error Causes
As mentioned above, the error code is triggered when the device driver’s invalid sub-keys appear in the registry, effectively changing it. This happens when the windows system files get damaged due to the following factors:
An incomplete program uninstallation
An incomplete program installation
Hardware is not removed properly
System recovery from viruses
An improper system shut down
Factors such as incomplete installations or uninstallations or an improper system shut down can cause files to become damaged that threaten the health of your computer.
Removing viruses from the computer is also another factor as it removes the entries in the Windows system files which contain the viruses including spyware or malware
Further Information and Manual Repair
Fixing Error Code 40 is similar to fixing other device manager error codes. Here are a few methods you can try.
Method 1 – Use System Restore
You can use system restore to eliminate the problem. Here is how you can use it:
Log in using an Administrator account
Click ‘Start’ button and select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
Click ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ and click ‘Next’
Select the last Windows restore point from the ‘On this list, click a restore point’ list, and click ‘Next’
Click ‘Next’ on the confirmation window to proceed
Restart your PC after restoration is complete
By restoring the system via a last saved system checkpoint, you can obtain undamaged Windows system registry files that can help avert the error code.
Method 2 – Manually uninstall then reinstall the device driver
If using system restore also does not work in removing the error code, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem.
This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what contributes to the error code. By uninstall and reinstalling the device driver program, it would lead to the completion of the files.
You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and open Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC. Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’.
Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.
Method 3 – Use software to automatically download the driver
Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick, however, it may be time-consuming especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual.
Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer.
DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.
It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 40.
It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage.
Thus, registry damage can be averted by letting the software roll back the system files to an earlier healthy checkpoint. Driver Assist is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.
Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 40 quickly and effectively!
If you suddenly encounter PFN_LIST_CORRUPT Blue Screen of Death error while using your computer then it means that the Page Frame Number or PFN list is corrupted. Page Frame Number is an indexing number used by the hard drive to find out the location of every single file on the physical disk. This kind of Blue Screen error is usually caused by a driver that’s passing a bad memory descriptor list and it can either be temporary or permanent. And so to fix this particular BSOD error, read on as this post contains a couple of suggestions that could help.
Keep in mind that when you get a Blue Screen error like PFN_LIST_CORRUPT, the power connection to your PC must not be interrupted and so if you are using a laptop, it’s best if you connect it to a power source. On the other hand, if creating a dump from 0% to 100% takes up more than 5-10 minutes, then you have to force shut down your computer by pressing and holding the Power Key for 10 seconds or at least until the CPU lights turn off. After you do that, proceed to the troubleshooting tips prepared below.
Option 1 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter
The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like PFN_LIST_CORRUPT. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Option 2 – Run a System File Checker scan
You can also try to run a System File Checker or SFC scan in order to scan your computer for corrupted files that might be the cause behind the PFN_LIST_CORRUPT error. Once it finds any corrupted system files, it will automatically fix them. To run System File Checker, here’s what you have to do:
Tap Win + R to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Restart your computer after the scan is completed.
Option 3 – Check for any hard disk errors
On your desktop, right-click on the “This PC” or computer icon and then select Manage to open the Disk Management. Here you get to check your drive’s health.
Next, click on Disk Management on the left side panel.
From there, check the state of your drives. If it shows that all your partitions are healthy then it means all is good and that the problem may have something to do with some physical issues with your hard drive.
You might also want to run the CHKDSK utility to help you fix any issues with your hard disk. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.
Option 4 – Update the Device drivers
Updating the Device drivers can also help you fix the PFN_LIST_CORRUPT Blue Screen error. To do so, follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver and select “Update Driver Software”.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
Restart your PC and then check if the Blue Screen error is now fixed or not.
Option 5 – Disable OneDrive
The PFN_LIST_CORRUPT error might also be caused by OneDrive. Thus, you have to try disabling this program to resolve the problem.
Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
Once the Task Manager is open, click on More Details located at the bottom left portion of the window.
Then go to the Startup tab and select Microsoft OneDrive and then click Disable.
If you suddenly see a system icon or an application icon that has a blue and yellow shield or icon overlay at the corner, this indicates that the application has to run with admin privileges and each time you run these kinds of applications, a UAC or User Account Control prompt will appear to confirm if you really want to run the application. Although this kind of behavior is for security reasons, it can get quite annoying especially if you use the application on a daily basis. To make it convenient for you, this post will walk you through how you can remove the blue and yellow shield icon from an application on your Windows 10 computer.
The User Account Control or UAC setting is the one that ensures no program can run with administrative privileges unless it is allowed by the user. This stops any program that could be potentially harmful to the computer from making any changes which are why keeping this setting to its default state is for the best and making any changes in its setting is not recommended unless it is really needed.
So if you really have to remove the icon overlay in an application, there are several ways you can do that. You can try reinstalling the program and set Compatibility or change the UAC level. For more information, refer to every option given below.
Option 1 – Try to reinstall the application and set Compatibility
As you know, the application icons where you can see the shields are shortcuts mostly and they signify that the User Account Control will appear each time you launch the app. Thus, if you have an app that you use regularly and you’re certain that the app can be trusted, you can try to reinstall the app and set its compatibility by following these steps:
You need to uninstall the app first and then install its latest version. You must not run or open the app after you reinstall it, not until you’ve completed the steps.
Next, you have to right-click on the shortcut icon of the app, and from the menu, select Properties.
Afterward, go to the Compatibility tab and look for the checkbox labeled “Run this program as an administrator” and uncheck it.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This should remove the shield icon from the app.
Option 2 – Try changing the UAC level
Tap the Win + Q to open the search bar and type UAC to see the User Account Control setting.
From the UAC setting, lower the UAC level by selecting the settings that say, “Notify only when apps try to make changes to my computer”.
After selecting that option, you shouldn’t be getting any warning now when you run the app with the shield icon. But keep in mind that this is not a temporary setting which can be risky especially if the app can’t be trusted.
As you know, Windows 10 comes with the option to create Mobile Hotspot for other devices. This allows you to share your Ethernet connection. However, there are times when one of your devices might fail to reconnect to the mobile hotspot again. For instance, you moved out of the Wi-Fi range because you have somewhere to be and whatnot and when you’re back you find that you are now unable to reconnect to the Windows 10 Hotspot or the shared network. Although you can always restart the mobile hotspot to resolve the problem, however, it might only be a temporary fix. So in this post, you will be given options for a much better solution to the problem.
This kind of problem seems unusual and does not occur that often. To fix it, you can try to set up DNS on your Windows 10 device and then configure the settings on the mobile device. It seems that what’s happening here is that the mobile device is unable to lock on to the Mobile Hotspot when the IP address changes for some reason.
Option 1 – Try changing the DNS settings on your laptop
In this option, you need to make sure that IPv4 and IPv6 are selected on your Ethernet connection. You also have to change the Preferred DNS server as well as the Alternate DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, respectively. You also have to validate the settings before you exit just to ensure that you’ve entered everything correctly. After that, open Command Prompt and run the ipconfig command and then take note of the IP address, Gateway DNS 1 and DNS 2.
Option 2 – Try changing the Wi-Fi settings on your mobile device
This option should be mostly the same on all your mobile devices. And given that OEMs build their customization and skin, you might have to fiddle around a little to get the settings. Refer to the steps below to change the Wi-Fi settings:
Go to the Settings of your mobile device and tap on Wi-Fi.
Then click the Mobile Hotspot connection that you’ve created on your laptop.
After that, input the password and tap the Advanced options.
From there, tap on IP settings and select the Static option instead of DHCP.
Now you have to enter the IP address, Gateway, DNS 1, and DNS 2 of the laptop you’ve taken note of earlier and that’s it.
Note: If you are already connected to the Mobile Hotspot, long press on the Wi-Fi network and select the Modify Network option and then follow the steps given above to change from DHCP to static. Once you’re done, your mobile device should now be able to connect to the Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot all the time.
0x80040154 is a typical ‘class not registered’ error message. It occurs when PC users try to register and Run a 32-bit DLL (dynamic link library) Windows programs on a 64-bit version of Windows.
Solution
Error Causes
The 0x80040154 error causes include:
Incompatible software
Invalid entry command path
Damaged and corrupt DLL files
COM components not properly registered
Active X control and class issues
To avoid the inconvenience of running programs on your Windows PC, it is advisable to resolve the 0x80040154 error.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some of the best methods that you can try to resolve the 0x80040154 error code on your PC:
# 1. Use Regsvr32.exe to Re-register the Failing COM Component
This is one way to resolve the 0x80040154 error code. Regsvr32.exe is a program that you can use to register DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) and ActiveX controls in the registry.
To use this file to re-register the failing COM components, simply open an elevated command prompt. If the 32-bit DLL is in the %systemroot%System32 folder, then move it to the %systemroot%SysWoW64 folder.
After that run the following command: %systemroot%SysWoW64regsvr32 <full path of the DLL>. This will help resolve the issue.
# 2. Install and Run Restoro PC Fixer.
Another alternative is to download Restoro. This is a new, advanced, and innovative PC repair tool deployed with multiple utilities like Active X control and class fixer, system optimizer, an antivirus, and a registry cleaner.
It has a user-friendly interface with simple navigation. This makes it quite easy to use for all levels of users. It is safe, fast, and compatible on all Windows versions.
The Active X control and class utility scans your entire PC, detects and resolves all errors like 0x80040154 triggering ActiveX and class ID issues in seconds.
Besides this, Restoro also offers other benefits. By running this software on your system you can also ensure good PC health and performance as it also removes anti-viruses, repairs registry issues, fixes damaged DLL files, and also boosts the speed of your PC.
DLL files often can get damaged and corrupt due to data overload. This is associated with the registry. If you don’t clean the registry frequently, it overloads with data and damages the DLL files.
However, with the help of the registry cleaner utility embedded inside this software, you can repair these files easily. The registry cleaner wipes out all the unnecessary files from your system occupying your disk space and simultaneously fixes the damaged DLL files and restores the registry.
However, if the DLL files are damaged due to a malware attack, the antivirus module takes care of them. It removes all the malicious software like adware, spyware, viruses, and Trojans and restores your files.
Click here to download Restoro on your PC and resolve the error 0x80040154 on your PC now!
If you suddenly get a message telling you that “Your Windows license will expire soon, You need to activate Windows in Settings” on your Windows 10 computer but you know that your Windows 10 is already activated. Worry not for this post will help you get rid of that error message right away. Before you get started, make sure that you have the Windows product key with you. If you don’t, you can get it by running the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
Take note of the product key and then proceed to the options given below.
Option 1 – Try activating Windows 10 again or use another product key
If you’re sure that you have the correct product key, click the Go to the Settings button.
After that, click the Activate button once again.
If you have another license key, you can also use that as well, just simply click on the Change product key.
Then enter the new product key and click on Activate. That should fix the problem, if it doesn’t, refer to the next option below.
Option 2 – Try to reset the licensing status
Click the Start button and then type “cmd” in the Search box and then tap Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Next, type the “slmgr –rearm” and hit Enter to reset the licensing status.
Restart your computer and check if the error is now gone or not.
Option 3 – Try uninstalling the product key and re-enter it once more.
The first thing you have to do to uninstall the product key is to know the Activation ID of your Windows installation. To do so, open an elevated Command Prompt and type this command, and hit Enter – vbs /dlv
After you enter the command, you should see the licensing status and Activation ID. And to get all the Activation IDs of all the installed Windows versions, key in this command and hit Enter – vbs /dlv all
Note: The “/dlv” parameter will give you the license information for the installed operating system.
After you enter the second command, you should see a Windows Script Host window with all the Windows licensing and activation status. Take note of the Activation ID.
Next, in the same elevated Command Prompt, type this command – slmgr /upk <Activation ID>
Note: In the third given command, “/upk” stands for “uninstall product key”. This parameter uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition.
Restart your PC. After that, your computer will be in an unlicensed state so you need to re-enter the product key again.
Option 4 – Try rebuilding the Tokens.dat file.
The issue might be caused by a corrupted Tokens.dat file. The Tokens.dat file is a digitally signed file that stores most of the Windows Activation files so if it is corrupted then no wonder you’re having activation issues. To rebuild the Tokens.dat file, refer to these steps:
From the WinX Menu, open an elevated Command Prompt.
After opening Command Prompt, you need to type each one of the following commands and after you type each command, hit Enter.
net stop sppsvc
cd %windir%ServiceProfilesLocalServiceAppDataLocalMicrosoftWSLicense
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
exe %windir%system32slmgr.vbs /rilc
Now restart your computer.
Option 5 – Try running the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter
Go to Settings and then select Activation.
After that, click on the Windows Activation and then troubleshoot. This will help you address most of the commonly found activation issues in Windows devices.
Option 6 – Try activating Windows 10 via mobile phone
Activating Windows 10 can also be done using your phone. Just note that you have to call Microsoft to do so.
In the Start Search box, type in “Slui 4” and tap Enter.
Next, select your country and click on Next.
Keep the window open and call the toll-free number of the country you’re from.
Afterward, a confirmation ID should be given by the automated system which you must take a note of.
Finally, in the box on the window, type in the confirmation ID and click on the Activate button. That should do it.
As you know, Windows 10 supports a variety of peripherals which includes a long list of printers. However, a number of users reported that they encountered a glitch on their Windows 10 computers where they receive Can’t print a file and a prompt to save the Word, PDF file, and so on each time they try to print the file. This kind of issue is not common and could be due to various reasons like the malfunctioning of device drivers, misconfiguration of the printer’s settings, and so on.
There are several options you can check out to resolve the problem. You can try to run the built-in troubleshooter or check the configuration of the printer, as well as update or reinstall the driver for printers or reset the printer. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below and make sure to follow them carefully.
Option 1 – Run the Printer Troubleshooter
One of the first basic troubleshooting you can perform to resolve the printer issue is running the Printer Troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can detect and automatically fix the problem for you. To use it, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “exe /id PrinterDiagnostic” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the Printer Troubleshooter.
Then click the Next button and follow the next on-screen instructions to fix the issue with the printer.
Option 2 – Try checking the printer’s configuration
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to check the configuration of the printer since there are instances when there could be some misconfiguration with the settings of the printer that may result in several issues like this one.
First, you need to open Control Panel and from there, look for the option Devices and printers and open it.
After that, right-click on the entry of your printer that you want to use in printing documents and select the Set as a default printer option.
You could also try to open PDF and then go to the Print dialog box and uncheck the Print to file option.
Option 3 – Try to update or reinstall the printer driver
The problem with your printer might also be caused by corrupted or outdated drivers. Thus, you can try to either update or reinstall it. How? Follow the steps below.
First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
From there, look for the USB Composite Device option and right-click on it, and select the Update Driver from the options.
Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Now uninstall and remove the printer driver software and reinstall it then refresh.
Option 4 – Try to reset the settings of the Printer or reinstall it
If none of the three options given above worked, you can try to either reset the printer settings or reinstall the printer so that it can go back to its default state. However, if it doesn’t work, you can try to uninstall the printer as well as its related drivers. To do so, follow these steps:
First, go to Settings > Devices > Printer and Scanners.
After that, select the printer and select the Remove Device option.
Once done, restart your computer and check again and see if the error is now fixed.
As you know, Airplane mode is the one that gets devices in such a state where all the wireless connections are turned off. However, recently, there are some reports from users claiming that the Airplane Mode turns on by itself in their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem could be due to an error with the Network driver, third-party applications, and many other factors. Other users also reported that the Airplane Mode automatically flickers, while some stated that they aren’t able to toggle the option for Airplane mode.
There are several options you can try to resolve this problem. You can try to configure the Power Management settings for the driver or run the Network troubleshooter. You could also roll back, reinstall or update the Network driver, as well as troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State. For more details, follow each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver
The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to try configuring the Power Management settings for the driver. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + X keys to open the WinX menu and from there, select the Device Manager to open it.
Next, expand the Network adapters and select the entry for your Wi-Fi hardware.
After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
From there, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” option.
Once done, restart your computer and see if it has fixed the problem.
Option 2 – Try to run the Network troubleshooter
To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 3 – Try to update, rollback or reinstall the Network adapter drivers
The next thing you can do to resolve the problem is to update the Network Adapter drivers by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “devmgmt.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand them.
Look for the Broadcom Network Adapter and right-click on it, as well as other network adapters that have an exclamation icon, and update them all.
Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the problem.
Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing the problem, you can also try to roll back the very same drivers from their previous versions and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.
To reinstall the network adapter drivers, refer to these steps:
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Option 4 – Try to reset the Network Adapter
You can also try to perform a Network Reset to resolve the problem. This will reset the entire network configuration including your IP address. To perform Network Reset, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
From there, go to the Network and Internet section.
Next, scroll down and look for “Network Reset” under the status pane.
After that, click on Network Reset and then on Reset now to start resetting the network configuration. Once done, check if it is able to fix the error or not.
Option 5 – Try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State
You can also troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot state. It could be that there are some third-party applications in your computer that are causing the Airplane Mode to behave in a strange way. So, to isolate this possibility, you need to boot your computer in a Clean Boot State be using these steps:
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
After you’ve set your computer into a Clean Boot State, try to observe if the Airplane mode is now back to normal or not.