Windows · Troubleshooting
Access guided support and live chat
Opens the Get Help app, Microsoft's built-in support tool that provides guided troubleshooting for common Windows problems and can connect you to a live support agent when self-service steps don't resolve an issue.
How to open Get Help App
- Search for 'Get Help' in the Start menu
- Type a description of your issue in the search bar
- Follow the guided troubleshooting steps presented
- Select 'Contact Support' if you need to escalate to a live agent
What you should know
- Search for guided troubleshooting on common Windows problems
- Run automated diagnostic and repair steps for specific issues
- Connect to a Microsoft support agent via chat when needed
- Check warranty and support eligibility for your device
Why it matters
Get Help centralizes Microsoft's official support resources directly on the device, reducing the need to search the web for potentially outdated or unreliable troubleshooting advice from unofficial sources. Its guided flows can automatically run diagnostic and repair steps for common issues like audio, printing, or update problems, often resolving them without requiring deep technical knowledge. For issues that guided troubleshooting can't fix, the built-in path to a live Microsoft support agent is a legitimate, verified support channel, which matters given how many search results for tech support are scams.
Best practices
- Start with Get Help before searching the web for troubleshooting advice, since it's an official Microsoft channel
- Let the guided diagnostics run fully before manually attempting fixes yourself
- Have your device model and problem details ready before starting a live chat session
- Check warranty status through Get Help if you're unsure whether your device qualifies for support
Common problems and fixes
- Get Help app is missing or won't open
- Reinstall it from the Microsoft Store, since it's a separate app from core Settings.
- Guided troubleshooting doesn't resolve the issue
- Use the option to connect with a live support agent through the app for further assistance.
- Long wait times for live chat support
- Try during off-peak hours, or use the guided self-service diagnostics first to rule out common causes.
Tips and tricks
- Type your issue in plain language in the Get Help search bar for the most relevant guided troubleshooting flow
- Use Get Help's diagnostic reports as a reference when explaining your issue to a live support agent
Frequently asked questions
Is Get Help free to use?
Yes, the app and its guided diagnostics are free; some in-warranty or paid support options may apply depending on your situation.
Is this the same as Feedback Hub?
No, Get Help focuses on resolving problems you're currently having, while Feedback Hub is for reporting bugs and suggesting features.
Can Get Help fix hardware problems?
It can diagnose some hardware-related issues and guide you toward warranty service options, but it can't physically repair hardware.
Related settings
- TroubleshootTroubleshoot gathers Windows' built-in automated diagnostic tools in one place, covering internet connections, audio playback and recording, printers, Bluetooth, Windows Update, and more. Each troubleshooter runs a scripted sequence of checks against the specific feature it targets and applies a fix automatically wherever it safely can, instead of requiring you to already know the underlying cause.
- Feedback HubOpens the Feedback Hub app, which lets you report bugs, log performance problems with diagnostic traces, and upvote or suggest new features that Microsoft's Windows engineering teams review.
- RecoveryRecovery brings together the tools for fixing a Windows PC that won't start correctly or is having serious problems, including Advanced startup (for Safe Mode, Startup Repair, and command-line recovery tools), System Restore, and Fix problems using Windows Update. It's a broader troubleshooting toolkit than Reset This PC alone, covering scenarios where a full reset is more than you need.
More Troubleshooting guides for Windows
- Windows ResetWindows Reset allows you to reinstall the operating system while choosing whether to keep your personal files or remove everything. This option is useful when your PC is experiencing serious performance issues, system corruption, or persistent software problems.
- System RestartSystem Restart allows you to safely reboot your PC, clearing temporary files and refreshing all running processes. This can resolve many common issues such as slow performance, unresponsive applications, and minor software glitches.
- Network ResetNetwork Reset restores all networking components to their factory default settings. This includes removing all saved WiFi networks, resetting TCP/IP stack, and clearing DNS cache. Use this as a troubleshooting step when other network fixes have not resolved your issue.
- Task Manager Performance MonitoringOpens Task Manager, which shows real-time resource usage across CPU, memory, disk, GPU, and network, lets you end unresponsive processes, and manage which apps launch automatically at startup.
- Windows Memory DiagnosticRuns the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, which restarts your PC and tests physical RAM for errors that can cause crashes, blue screens, or general instability.
- Event ViewerOpens Event Viewer, an advanced diagnostic tool that logs detailed records of system events, application errors, security events, and warnings, useful for pinpointing the exact cause of crashes or failures.