Take a photo before you dismiss an error message
An error message appears, you click OK, and then someone asks what it said.
“Something about an error” is understandable—but the exact wording may contain the clue needed to solve the problem.
Before dismissing the message
Take a photograph with your phone, or capture a screenshot. Try to include:
- The complete message
- Any error number or code
- The name of the program
- The whole window rather than one tightly cropped section
It also helps to note what you were doing immediately beforehand. For example: opening an attachment, printing a document or installing an update.
Check before sharing
Error messages and screenshots can sometimes show email addresses, filenames, customer information or other private details. Check the image and hide anything sensitive before posting it publicly or sending it to someone you do not know.
That ten-second photograph can prevent guesswork and make a support call considerably quicker.