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Stuck? Ask an expertSmarterBox support team Get expert help from SmarterBox“Every guide is free, tested on a real device and easy to follow.”
Fix your tech, one safe step at a time.
Free, plain-English repair and reset guides from SmarterBox Limited for phones, laptops, tablets, printers, Wi-Fi and smart home gadgets.
- Step-by-step guides for everyday gadgets
- Warnings before anything that could lose data
- Video walkthroughs on the way
Guides for devices from
- Apple
- Samsung
- Huawei
- Xiaomi
- OnePlus
- Motorola
- Nokia
- HP
- Dell
- Lenovo
- Asus
- Acer
- Sony
- LG
- Alexa
- Epson
Find guides for your device
Pick what you're using and see every SmarterBox guide for it.
Popular SmarterBox guides
Start with the problems people ask us about most.
- PhonesAndroid phone not charging? Safe checks to tryPhone not charging? Safely rule out the cable, plug and port, and learn the warning signs that mean stop and get help.
- PhonesHow to factory reset an Android phone safelySelling, giving away or fixing a phone with a reset? Back up first, check your Google account, then erase it the safe way.
- PhonesHow to free up storage on your iPhoneStorage full? Find what is filling your iPhone and clear space safely, without losing the photos or messages you want.
- PhonesHow to restart a frozen iPhoneScreen stuck or not responding to touch? A force restart fixes most frozen iPhones without erasing anything. Here's how for every model.
- ComputersHow to fix a frozen Windows laptop safelyWork out which kind of freeze you have, try the gentlest fix first, and only force a shutdown as a last resort.
- ComputersHow to get your printer back onlinePrinter showing offline? Work through power, Wi-Fi, queue and driver checks on Windows or Mac, in the order most likely to help.
What's going wrong?
Most everyday tech problems have a safe fix you can try yourself. Pick the one that sounds like yours.
- “My laptop has frozen and nothing I press works.”
- “My printer says it's offline, but it's switched on.”
- “My iPhone keeps saying storage is full.”
- SmarterBox
Each one has a step-by-step guide, with a clear point to stop and ask for help.
How SmarterBox Limited makes every guide
Every guide is written by the SmarterBox team and tested step by step on a real device before it goes live.
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Checked by a person
Every step is followed on a real device by the SmarterBox team before the guide is published, and updated when menus change.
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Warnings come first
If a step could wipe data, affect a warranty or involve electricity, the guide says so before you reach it.
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A way out if you're stuck
Every guide ends with what to do if it didn't work, including how to reach the SmarterBox team.
Watch it, then fix it yourself
Short, plain-English videos for everyday tech problems. Free to watch on our YouTube channel.
- Phones
Phone Not Charging? 3 Things to Check
Read the guide: Android phone not charging? Safe checks to try - Computers
Why Is My Laptop So Slow? 4 Checks
Read the guide: How to fix a frozen Windows laptop safely - Online safety
How to Spot a Scam Text Message in the UK
Read the guide: Fake tech support warning
Why SmarterBox guides are different
Forum threads and random videos assume you already know what you're doing. Our guides don't.
Typical online advice
- Jumps straight to a factory reset
- Full of jargon and skipped steps
- No warning before you lose data
- Nobody to ask when it doesn't work
A SmarterBox guide
- Gentlest fix first, big resets last
- Every step in plain English
- Clear warnings before anything risky
- A real team to ask if you're stuck
Questions about SmarterBoxDIY
Who we are, how the guides are made, and what to do if one doesn't work.
Guide didn't fix it?Talk to the SmarterBox team. We'll point you in the right direction.Who runs SmarterBoxDIY?
SmarterBoxDIY is operated by SmarterBox Limited, a UK company (number 16160532) that also runs SmarterBox tech support. You can check SmarterBox Limited on Companies House (opens in a new tab).
Are the guides free?
Yes. Every guide on SmarterBoxDIY is free to read, with no account or sign-up.
Who checks the guides?
A person on the SmarterBox team follows every step on a real device before a guide is published.
What if a guide doesn't work for me?
Stop at the point the guide tells you to, and contact the SmarterBox team. Menus and settings vary between models, so it's always fine to ask.
Will following a guide affect my warranty or data?
Guides warn you before any step that could delete data or affect a warranty. Back up first, and don't open a device that's still under warranty.
Can I suggest a guide or report a mistake?
Please do. Use the contact page to tell us which device and problem you'd like covered, or what's changed in a guide.
Stuck halfway? SmarterBox Limited can help.
If a guide hasn't solved it, the SmarterBox support team can talk you through it or arrange a repair.