Sure, you could upgrade to a shiny new PS5 if you are able, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to fix your PS4 and its controller. After all, it can still play DVDs for you, as well as games.

Several different scenarios could lead your PS4 controller to malfunction. Here, we’ve compiled some of the most common issues that you could run into.

We’ve also included troubleshooting options that you can try to get your controller back to full functionality.

Common PS4 controller malfunctions

Without knowing the exact reason your controller isn’t working, it will be pretty difficult to fix. These are some of the most common obstacles that you might run into while trying to use your PS4 controller.

• Your controller is already connected to a device, like another PS4 or a PC.
• The distance between the controller and the PS4 is too far.
• You have broken or malfunctioning controller buttons.

Many other reasons can cause issues with your PS4 controller. But the above causes are some of the most common. In most cases, the following fixes will do the trick.

Try a wired connection

One of the first troubleshooting options that you can do is to try a wired connection. PS4 controllers can be used wirelessly, but sometimes, you must plug them in with a USB cable to help pair them to your console.

1. Turn on your PS4 and plug the USB cable into the console and the controller

2. Wait for about 60 seconds to let the controller charge

3. Press the PlayStation button to try and pair your controller with the console.

If you hear a beeping sound and the light on the PlayStation buttons becomes solid, then you’re good to go. If not, keep reading.

Reset your PS4 console

Sometimes, the issue doesn’t have anything to do with your controller. Every once in a while, there might be a bug in your PS4 console’s system that causes it not to connect. In these instances, you can try resetting your console.

1. Power off your PS4 using the button on the console.

2. Wait a few seconds for the system to reset.

3. Power the console back on using the button.

Once your system powers back on, try to connect your controller again. If it’s still not working, it’s time to see if your console is the problem.

Try connecting your controller to another PS4

One good troubleshooting tip is to see if it’s your controller or your console that’s not working. If you have the ability, try connecting your controller to a different device, like another PS4 or a PC.

• Try to pair your controller with another PS4 and see if it works.
• If you want to connect your PS4 controller to a PC, click on the Start menu and search for Bluetooth and Other Devices settings. Then, you only need to find your controller and pair it with your computer. Now, is the controller working?

Now that you’ve tried your controller on another device, you’ll want to try another controller on your PS4.

If you try a different controller on your console and it won’t work either, then you know the issue lies with your PS4 system and not your controller.

Other issues and how to fix or prevent them

Those are just the tip of the iceberg of potential issues that you could have with your PS4 controller. Here are a few more common issues and some steps you can take to fix or prevent them in the future.

Battery issues

The battery on a PS4 controller is rated for around 8 hours of gameplay. If you start to notice the controller dying long before that 8-hour is up, the battery could be on its way out.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do yourself with a dying PS4 battery. You can try and get it fixed, but your best bet might be to cut your losses and buy another controller.

However, you can take some steps to try and prevent your PS4 battery from depleting too fast. The most important step for preserving your controller’s battery is to turn the controller off when you’re not using it.

The more you drain and charge a battery, the weaker that battery gets over time. There will eventually come a time when your PS4 controller’s battery reaches its limit. And your best option then is to go ahead and replace it.

What should you do with a disconnecting controller?

One of the more common and extremely annoying problems that you can run into with your PS4 controller is it constantly disconnects.

This can be one of the most frustrating problems that you might run into with your PS4 controller. There’s nothing worse than your controller suddenly disconnecting while you’re in the middle of a game.

Most of the time, this happens because your controller’s battery is dying too quickly. You can ensure your battery is charging correctly by visiting the Quick Menu on your console.

Another issue that might cause the controller to disconnect is your distance from the console. The PS4 controller’s Bluetooth connection has a range of approximately 30 feet or 9 meters.

And this distance can change slightly depending on your gaming setup. Make sure you’re as close as possible when using your PS4 controller wirelessly to avoid any sudden disconnections.

Reset your PS4 controller

If you are still experiencing problems with your controller after attempting all the above solutions, there is one final option that you can try.

And that option is a factory reset of the controller. This is a last-ditch effort and should only be done if none of the above solutions have worked.

To hard reset your DualShock 4, you’ll need to find a paperclip or something similarly thin. Now, follow the below process:

1. Turn off your PS4 and internet connection.

2. Find the small hole on the back of your PS4 controller.

3. Use the paper clip to hold the button inside the hole for more than six seconds.

And that’s it. After holding the button for more than six seconds to reset the controller, wait a few more seconds for the process to complete.

Then, try to pair your controller once again with the PS button. Again, this is a last resort that will reset your controller back to its factory settings. It will likely reset any firmware updates, so you’ll have to download those again when you get back online.

If this process doesn’t work and your PS4 controller is still not working, then it’s time to buy yourself a new one.

Physical problems of PS4 controller

In addition to the frustrating connection issues that you could run into with your PS4 controller, there are a couple of physical problems that you might start to experience.

PS4 controller trackpad issues

If, by any chance, the controller trackpad starts malfunctioning, you can go through the following process:

1. Turn off both your system and controller.

2. Mix water and isopropyl rubbing alcohol together (use the same amount of each).

3. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface of the trackpad.

4. Start cleaning the surface gently with your alcohol solution.

Note that the wet surface should dry by itself. You don’t need to do anything to speed this process up, and you could actually cause damage by forcing water inside the controller.

Sticky buttons

Just like cleaning the controller trackpad, you can use the same process for your buttons. You can even use the same 50/50 solution of water and alcohol on the buttons.

Again, just make sure you’re not using too much pressure. As you can imagine, it’s a bit easier to get water underneath the buttons on your controller, so make sure you’re gentle when cleaning.

And always allow for plenty of drying time before you test out the controller. Once you’ve let everything dry, try out the buttons and see if they feel any better.

Try these solutions to fix your PS4 controller that’s not working

So, that covers the processes that you can use to troubleshoot and potentially fix your PS4 controller that isn’t working.

We don’t recommend going any further than this, like taking the controller apart completely, as it could void any kind of warranty on the controller.

However, you can have a technician from the PlayStation website handle any maintenance or repairs that are beyond this scope. Click this link to start the repair process on the PlayStation website.

So there you go. Hopefully, these steps will help you fix your PS4 controller when it’s not working correctly. And if not, it might be time to go ahead and replace it with a new option.

DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4

$67.00

If you still love the familiar feel of a DualShock 4 controller, accept no substitute. This official controller is in fetching camo green and has everything you love including symmetrical sticks and those iconic icon buttons.

What We Like:

• Camo green design
• Accurate analog thumbsticks with symmetrical design
• Ergonomic feel

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 01:55 pm GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to fix a PS4 controller that’s not working appeared first on KnowTechie.

That’s why you need to know how to convert HEIC files to JPEG.

There’s a lot to like about HEIC files. They are typically smaller file sizes while still allowing your iPhone or Mac to store high-resolution pictures.

But, again, it’s not the best format for other things. That includes editing the photos or sharing them on social media.

We’ll walk through the different options you have for converting HEIC files to JPG on both iPhone and Mac.

Convert HEIC files to JPG on iPhone

There are two methods to convert HEIC formats on iPhone: the Settings app or the File app.

However, it’s worth mentioning that using the Settings method, all future images will be in JPG format, whereas with the File method, you’ll be able to convert any existing HEIC images to JPG.

Convert HEIC files to JPG on iPhone with the Settings app

The simplest way to convert HEIC files is to switch your default iPhone camera image format from HEIC to JPG. Here’s how.

1. Tap on the Settings icon.

2. Scroll down and select Camera.

3. Tap on Formats

4. In the Formats menu, select Most Compatible. This option saves new camera photos as JPEG.

Now, all the photos you take with your iPhone will be saved in the more compatible, but larger on space, JPEG format. You can always change this back if it starts to eat up your iCloud storage space.

Convert HEIC files to JPG on iPhone with the Files app

You’ve now successfully converted HEIC files to JPG. If you want to send those to another app, you can now use the share option on the image to do that.

Convert HEIC files to JPG on Mac

If have a Mac, the Preview App can convert your files to HEIC. This is the Mac default app for opening and viewing images and PDF files. It’s pretty easy to convert HEIC files to JPG in Mac. Let’s get started.

1. Control-click on your HEIC file and click on preview.

2. A window pops up that displays the photo. Go to the ribbon menu at the top and select the File menu.

3. Click on Export, which is under the File menu.

4. Change your format to JPG. You can also modify image quality in this section and make it smaller or larger.

5. Select where you want to save your file on the Mac and click on Save.

Convert HEIC files to JPG in Windows

There are many ways to convert HEIC files to JPG in Windows.

We explain two common ways to convert HEIC files: iMazing HEIC Converter and HEIC to JPG.

iMazing HEIC Converter

iMazing Converter for HEIC and HEVC

iMazing Converter is a completely free way to turn the HEIC photos that your iPhone creates into formats that can be shared more easily.

What We Like:

• 100% free
• Convert HEIC (iOS) or HEIF (Android) files to JPEG or PNG
• Converts HEVC video files to MPEG-4
• Drag-and-drop simplicity

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

This is a nifty free application to convert HEIC files to JPG offered in the Office Store. Here’s how to convert HEIC files with this app.

1. First, open the Microsoft Store, type iMazing HEIC Converter in the search bar, and then select it.

2. Click on Get and wait for it to install.

3. Open the iMazing Converter program.

4. Select the HEIC files you want to convert in the file menu or drag and drop to move files into the app.

5. Choose JPG as the format, and then click on Convert.

6. Now, select where you want to save your JPG file.

That’s it. You made it! You can click on Show Files to see your converted JPG images.

Convert HEIC files to JPG  with HEIC to JPG

HEIC to JPG is another application powered by JPG mini. This app is not entirely free; however, you can convert up to 50 images. Let’s convert HEIC files with this web-based application.

1. Go to https://heictojpg.com/
2. Drag your files into the app or click on the Plus button.
3. Click on DOWNLOAD JPEG to get your JPG file.

Now you know how to convert HEIC files to more compatible JPEGs

HEIC files are default Apple image formats that we can save in small sizes and high quality. However, in some cases, such as posting or editing, you need to convert HEIC files to JPG.

There are many ways to convert HEIC files to JPG, such as the settings app on iPhone, Mac Preview App, and iMazing HEIC Converter, which were explained in this article individually.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Did you know you can use your iPhone as a scanner for your Mac? Here’s how
• How to turn off location services on your iPhone
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The post How to convert HEIC files to JPG appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: To make a collaborative Spotify playlist, go to Your Library > Playlists, click the “+” and select “New Playlist.” Give it a name and click “Create.” To make the playlist collaborative, click the dots next to the name and select “Collaborative Playlist.”

Spotify is arguably one of the best music streaming platforms. But it’s better shared with friends, so knowing how to make collaborative playlists on Spotify never hurts.

Don’t know how? We’ll show you how to make collaborative Spotify playlists through its mobile and desktop apps if you don’t know where to start.

Then we’ll show how you can convert private playlists you’ve created into collaborative ones. Ready to start?

How to make a collaborative Spotify playlist on desktop

To create a collaborative playlist on Spotify, follow these steps:

If you prefer to use Spotify through the desktop app, making an existing playlist collaborative is only a couple of clicks away. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Spotify desktop app

2. On the left panel, right-click the playlist you want to make collaborative

3. Click on Collaborative playlist to start sharing the playlist

Your playlist is all set, and now others can add to it. Further below, we’ll show you how to share the playlist with friends and family.

Important: Spotify playlist is set to collaborative

There are two ways to make sure the playlist is set to collaborative mode:

• There is a special icon beside collaborative playlists (shown above)
• If you right-click on the playlist, you can see that there is a tick next to the Collaborative playlist

How to create a Spotify collaborative playlist on Windows and Mac

Although the title mentions the Windows PC app, you can follow the same steps below on your Mac to create collaborative playlists on the Spotify app:

1. Open the Spotify app

2. On the left pane, click on the Create playlist menu option

3. Under the name of the playlist, click the three-dot (more) icon

4. Select the Collaborative playlist

Now you and your friend can modify the playlist together.

How to create a collaborative Spotify playlist on your phone

You can still create a collaborative Spotify playlist if you prefer to use Spotify from the mobile app (Android and iOS).

We’ll show you how below:

1. Open the Spotify app on your phone

2. Go to the Library tab by tapping the tab on the bottom

3. Tap and hold the playlist that you want to make collaborative

4. When the menu appears, tap Make collaborative

5. If Spotify applies the changes successfully, it will display a message that says, “Marked playlist as collaborative.”

READ MORE: What is Spotify Live, and how does it work?

You can change it back and make your playlist private again. Go to the playlist, tap, and hold so the menu appears. Then, tap the Make non-collaborative playlist option.

How to share a Spotify collaborative playlist on desktop

Now that you have created a collaborative playlist, it’s time to let your friends know they can add their favorite songs too.

1. On the Spotify app, go to your library and find the collaborative playlist on the left pane

2. Click on the collaborative playlist, so the app shows it on the right pane

3. Select the more (three-dot) icon

4. Click Share

5. Now, you can embed the link to a web page or copy the URL to share it via social media or other means

And that’s how you can snag the link for your new collaborative playlist. Keep reading below if you prefer to use the mobile app.

Sharing a collaborative playlist on the Spotify mobile app

Like any other playlist, you can share a collaborative playlist. Here’s how:

1. Open the Spotify app

2. Go to the Library tab by tapping the icon at the bottom of the UI

3. Open the playlist that you want to share and tap the three-dot menu

4. Then, find Share and tap that

5. Select one of the methods to share your playlist with friends and family

Adding songs to a collaborative playlist on Spotify

Once you’ve made a playlist collaborative, you and others can add or remove songs to and from the playlist.

The steps are similar to adding songs to any other playlist. Here’s how to add songs to collaborative playlists:

How to add songs to a Spotify playlist using the desktop app

Search for a song and drag and drop it into the desired playlist. Alternatively, you can:

1. Go to the song, click the three dots next to the song

2. Select Add to playlist from the menu

3. Select the collaborative playlist from the list

You’ve now successfully added a song to our collaborative playlist.

How to add songs to a collaborative Spotify playlist on the mobile app

Follow these steps to add a song to a Spotify playlist through your phone:

1. Go to the song that you want to add to the collaborative playlist

2. Tap the More icon (the three dots)

3. Tap Add to playlist

4. Select the collaborative playlist

Spotify will notify you that it has added the song to the playlist.

Collaborative Spotify playlists take music streaming to the next level

Spotify Radio was a breakthrough when it came out because it would suggest songs similar to what you like and listen to.

However, artificial intelligence or machine learning can replace a human’s touch. That’s why collaborative playlists are so great.

Whether you prefer the desktop or the mobile Spotify app, you can start making and sharing collaborative playlists today.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to create and share a Spotify playlist
• Here’s how to transfer music playlists between streaming services
• How to cancel Spotify Premium
• Best Spotify alternatives for streaming music

The post How to make collaborative Spotify playlists friends can add to appeared first on KnowTechie.

There’s nothing better than getting rid of that negative influence in your life. When blocking a profile seems a little too harsh, Instagram has a feature that will allow you to mute a user’s profile.

This mute feature allows you to hide posts and stories from a particular user without the other things that come with a full-on block, like hiding your own profile from that user or going the advanced route with an email scraper.

Muting is a great way to get rid of those profiles that tend to clog up your feed, without offending someone by hitting them with a block.

However, figuring out how to access this mute functionality on Instagram can be confusing. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.

How to mute someone on Instagram from their profile

If you have a specific person in mind that you want to mute, the best way to do that is directly from their profile. Here’s how:

1. Head to the account you want to mute (you’ll need to be following them already)

3. On the profile page, tap on the Following button

4. A new menu will pop up, select the Mute option

5. Now, in the popup window, toggle Posts and Stories to the ‘on’ position to mute the account

After muting both Posts and Stories, if the user posts something new on Instagram, you will be blissfully unaware and can go on with your day.

As an added bonus, Instagram will not alert them that they were muted, so you can do this guilt-free.

How to mute someone on Instagram from your own feed

If the decision to mute someone is more of a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, you can also mute profiles directly from your Instagram feed. Here’s how:

1. While looking at your feed, tap the three-point icon of the person’s post

2. Now choose the hide option from the prompt

3. Select ‘Mute <the account name>’ when the following notification appears

4. Then select the Mute Posts or Mute posts and story option

When you refresh your feed, the user will no longer appear in your never-ending list of posts.

How to unmute an account on Instagram

If you’ve decided to give the person you are following another chance, you can also unmute them at any time. To do that, you’ll need to head to their profile. Once you have that open, follow along below:

Now, you will see that person’s posts and Stories again on Instagram. Unless, of course, they become annoying again, and you need to re-mute them.

Why you should mute people on Instagram

On social media, anyone can publish basically anything. As a result, you may not appreciate being overwhelmed by a user flooding your feed with things you aren’t interested in.

Maybe they are just going through a phase, but you don’t want to unfollow them. Or maybe you went out on a date, and now things are awkward, but unfollowing them seems drastic.

It can also be great for businesses that you support but don’t necessarily care about seeing their daily posts. Really, the reasons are endless, and you can mute someone for any reason you see fit.

Muting a profile on Instagram is a breeze

If you do not want to see a person’s Instagram posts and Stories, the muting feature comes in clutch for those instances where you still would prefer to continue following them.

Thankfully, Instagram makes using the feature super straightforward and allows you to mute someone in just a couple of taps.

Now that you’ve cleaned up your feed, enjoy the bliss of a finely-tuned, curated feed.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to mute someone on Instagram (and why you should) appeared first on KnowTechie.

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, and the company consistently pushes out updates for users.

While these are usually helpful, there might be times when you don’t want to update. For that, you’ll need to know how to stop automatic updates on Windows 11

Typically, you should avoid pausing automatic updates on Windows, but there are instances where it might be the smart thing to do.

Maybe you have a big presentation and are worried the update will start before you present.

It’s also possible that some of your programs may have issues after updating, and you need those programs for work or school. There are numerous reasons, honestly.

READ MORE: How to change your username in Windows 11

That said, Microsoft’s updates are still important and can help protect your data, so only pause updates if you are sure it is something you need to do.

If you fall into this category, keep reading below, as we’ll review multiple methods of turning off automatic Windows 11 updates.

How to pause automatic updates on Windows 11

The first method we’ll go through will let you pause upcoming updates on Windows 11.

This is our recommended method because it makes updating your PC easier whenever you’re ready. Follow along below:

1. Go to Start and then Settings, or right-click on the Start menu and select Settings

2. Next, click on Windows Update

3. To pause updates, click the Pause updates drop-down menu and specify the duration of the pause

Once the pause period is over, Windows will automatically install new updates. So don’t forget to pause the updates again if you find it necessary.

READ MORE: Windows 12 release date — when is it coming out?

But again, updates are often important, so we don’t recommend waiting too long.

Disabling Windows updates using the Services command

If you wish to disable Windows 11 automatic updates permanently, you may stop the whole Windows update service. To do this:

1. Go to the Start menu, type Run, and then press Enter

2. Next, in the Run app, type services.msc and press Enter

3. In the service window, look for Windows Update and double-click on it

4. In the Windows update settings, select Disabled from the drop-down menu beside Startup Type

5. After that, click on OK and restart your PC to put the changes into effect

READ MORE: How to create a virtual desktop in Windows 11

Windows updates can be enabled again by following the same process listed above. Simply change the Startup type back to Automatic.

How to disable Windows 11 updates using the registry

Disabling automatic updates in Windows 11 can also be accomplished by making changes to the registry.

If you prefer this method, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Start menu and type regedit and then press Enter

2. Go down this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. Alternatively, copy and paste the path into the Registry search bar

3. Right-click on the Windows folder in the sidebar and then select New > Key

4. Name the key WindowsUpdate and press Enter

5. Now, right-click on WindowsUpdate and again create a new key. Name it AU and press Enter

6. Right-click anywhere on the right panel and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value

7. Name the key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter

8. Double-click on it and change the value from 0 to 1

9. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

This method will completely disable Windows updates, but again, this method isn’t recommended unless you are very comfortable with making changes to Windows.

Disabling Windows updates through Group Policy

This is another in-depth method to disable automatic updates in Windows 11. Only use this if you are comfortable diving deep into System folders and making changes.

READ MORE: How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11

In this guide, we’ll be using Group Policy to accomplish the task. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Start menu, type gpedit.msc and then click on the Group policy editor in the search results

2. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update> Manage updates offered from Windows Update

3. Double-click on Select the target Feature Update version and select the radial Enabled button

4. Next, type 21H1 into the Target Version for Feature Updates and click on OK

Doing this will stop updates from being pushed to Windows.

Typically, this method is only used for companies that can’t afford to take a chance on updates that break their sensitive programs.

For casual users, this method is not recommended.

Disabling Windows updates with a third-party app

The app we’ll be using to stop Windows 11 updates is Windows Update Blocker, whose sole purpose is to prevent updates from being installed.

If you don’t have much computer knowledge and want to disable Windows updates with an app, this method is for you.

1. First, download Windows Update Blocker
2. Next, extract the Windows Update Blocker file

3. Run the .exe file, select Disable updates and check Protect Services Settings

4. Click on Apply Now

You have successfully switched off automatic updates on Windows 11.

Additionally, you can reactivate the updates by selecting the Enable Updates option in Windows Update Blocker if you change your mind.

Disabling Windows updates is not always the answer

Disabling Windows 11 updates using the Registry and Group Policy Editors should be done cautiously. If you mess up any of the steps, it’s possible you’ll cause serious problems with your operating system.

In addition, the updates are typically for your own security, as they often include patches that protect you from vulnerabilities.

If you don’t want to risk causing damage to your operating system or simply need to pause updates for a little while, using something like the Windows Update Blocker app is recommended.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to turn off automatic updates on Windows 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

In most cases, printers are installed similarly regardless of brand or model. Even though each connection’s setup may appear to be very different, they are actually rather similar.

In this guide, we are going to walk you through how to add a printer to a Mac using Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, and an IP address. So without further ado, let’s get started.

How to add a printer to Mac via Wi-Fi

If you have decided to add a printer to your Mac wirelessly, you can do it easily by pressing the Wi-Fi button on your printer and the WPS button on your router.

However, it may not work, and if this happens, you should try reading the instruction manual.

However, if the printer lacks the AirPrint feature, you must select the Printer > Add > Download printer drivers from Apple servers. 

Bonus tip

Installing the NetSpot application, a Wi-Fi scanning tool that provides the best location for your printer is recommended if the printer is shared by coworkers but becomes unavailable due to a weak connection.

Adding a printer to Mac via USB

Adding a printer to a Mac through USB is more straightforward than Wi-Fi. This is because as soon as you connect the printer to Mac via a USB cable, Mac itself will automatically detect it and guide you through the on-screen instructions.  

1. After connecting your printer via USB, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners

2. Then press the plus button. If everything goes fine, you will see the name of your printer

3. Next, click on Add

However, this doesn’t guarantee you won’t run into issues because your Mac may just fail to identify the printer.

Many different reasons might cause the issue, but in most cases, it can be resolved by simply accessing System Preferences > Software Update > Install the latest updates.

How to add a printer to Mac via Bluetooth

Some printers use Bluetooth to connect to the devices and receive the print files. Like other connections, you must first add your printer to the list of printers.

1. After turning on your printer, go to System Preferences

2. Click on Printers & Scanners

3. Next, press the plus button and select your printer from the list

When you want to print something, simply go to Mac > Bluetooth Preferences and tap the Bluetooth icon, and your printer will be paired.

READ MORE: What is the latest macOS version?

If you are having trouble adding the printer, the first step is ensuring that your Mac runs the most recent macOS version. 

Adding a printer to Mac via IP address

If the previous methods did not work, we recommend connecting your printer to the Mac using an IP address. To use this method, you will need a few pieces of information, like the printer’s IP address or hostname, printing protocol, and model.

This information can be found in the user manual, by contacting support, or by following the manual instructions. Just like the other methods, you need to make sure that the latest macOS version has been installed on your Mac:

1. Navigate to System Preferences > Software Update

2. Then, ensure that your printer is switched on

3. Next, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners

4. Click on the IP tab (web icon) and type your printer’s IP address

5. The next step is selecting the Protocol (AirPrint, IPP, LPD, etc.)

6. Now you should enter the required information and click on Add.

This isn’t the easiest method, so we really only recommend using this if none of the other methods work.

How to remove a printer from Mac

Finally, it’s time to look at how to remove a printer from Mac. You’re now equipped with the knowledge to add a printer, but it’s good to know the reverse, as well. To delete the printer on your Mac device:

1. Go to System Preferences

2. Then click on Printers & Scanners

3. Next, find the printer you want to delete

4. Finally, click the minus button and confirm that you want to delete the printer

And there you go, you’ve now successfully removed a printer from Mac.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to connect a printer to Mac. You can use USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, and all produce similar results. But, as we’ve shown, you also have other options for adding a printer.

Thankfully, the process is practically the same across most methods. That means once you know how to do one, you know how to do them all.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Does your Mac need antivirus software?
• How to find saved WiFi passwords on Mac
• Here’s how to take a screenshot on any iPhone
• Here’s how to start a Mac in safe mode

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The post How to add a printer to Mac appeared first on KnowTechie.

Sadly, the feature doesn’t always work well, which means you need to know the best ways to fix Chrome not saving passwords.

Keeping up with your various passwords can be a real pain, as each site seems to have different rules on what letters, numbers, and symbols your password must contain.

While password managers help, what do you do when you manually enter passwords and Chrome drops the ball?

Google Chrome has its own password manager tool integrated with your Google account. Therefore, the problem might stem from your Chrome or Google account.

Below, we’ll show you the best ways to troubleshoot password issues on Chrome.

Why are passwords not saving on Chrome?

READ MORE: How to stop Chrome from saving history on Windows and Mac

When Chrome doesn’t save your password (or doesn’t save it correctly), it can be extremely frustrating. This problem may be due to several reasons:

• Using an outdated version of Chrome
• Disabling the saving function by mistake
• Prohibiting Chrome from saving local data
• Installing software or extension that interrupts this feature
• Google account problems
• Chrome cache folder corruption

If you don’t know which one exactly has caused you this problem, your best option is to go down the list below and try each solution one by one.

We’ve detailed 11 different options for solving the issue, and it is recommended to go in the order we’ve outlined them in.

11 quick fixes to solve Chrome not saving passwords

We’ve compiled 11 different things worth checking out if you are having issues with Google’s browser saving your passwords correctly.

Check Chrome password settings

1. Open the Menu by clicking on the 3-dot menu in the top-right corner

2. Go to Settings

3. From the left menu, select Autofill

4. Click on the Passwords submenu

5. If the “Offer to save passwords” option toggle is off, switch it on

6. Restart Chrome

If Chrome still does not save passwords, proceed to the next solution.

Update Chrome settings to store local data

Local data refers to the files and downloads you’ve made as well as your Chromebook history. Here’s how to make sure the feature is turned on:

1. Open the three-dot menu and go to Settings

2. From the left menu, select Privacy and security and open the Cookies and other site data dropdown

3. If the Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows toggle is on, turn it off

4. Close Chrome and relaunch it to see if Chrome is still not saving passwords

Clear cache and cookies on Google Chrome

Chrome has a limited amount of space to store cache and cookies. If you haven’t checked it in a long time, it’s time to clear some space.

1. Open the three-dot menu in the top-right and scroll down to More Tools

2. From the opened submenu, click on Clear browsing data

Check the following boxes:

• Browsing history
• Cookies and other site data
• Cached images and files
• Set the Time range to All time

READ MORE: How to view and edit saved passwords in Google Chrome

Finally, once you have checked the boxes and changed the time range, click the Clear data button.

Check if Chrome is updated – how to update Google Chrome

1. Open the three-dot menu and scroll down to Help to see its submenu

2. Click on About Google Chrome

Let the scan finish. If you see the “Chrome is up to date” message, and the problem persists, proceed to the following methods.

READ MORE: How to find saved WiFi passwords on Mac

However, if a later version is found, Chrome will start updating automatically. It is recommended to restart Chrome if an update is found.

Log out and log back into your Google Account

Sometimes bugs and errors are fixed by simply signing out of your account and logging back in. Here’s how to log out of Chrome and your Google account:

1. Open Chrome and click on your Profile Picture in the top-right corner

2. Click Manage your Google account

3. On the new web page, click your Profile Picture and click Sign out of all accounts

Once signed out, you can click the same Profile Picture icon and sign back in. If you are still having issues with Chrome saving your passwords, continue to the next step.

Reset Chrome to its default settings – here’s how

Before doing the reset, back up your important data:

1. Open Settings and click on Sync and Google services

2. Click on Manage what you sync under the Sync section

3. Select the Sync everything option

Now restore Chrome’s default settings:

The next thing you will need to do once you have backed up your settings is to restore Chrome’s default settings:

1. Go to Settings

2. Select Reset and clean up from the advanced dropdown menu

3. Click on Restore settings to their original default and press the Reset settings button on the pop-up window.

Disable Chrome extensions to fix password issues

Sometimes, Chrome extensions can cause issues with the browser saving passwords. To try this method, first, we need to confirm whether the extensions are the culprits or not by disabling all of them to see if the problem gets solved.

If it works, then we enable extensions one by one to find the problematic extension. In order to disable extensions:

1. Open the menu by clicking on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner

2. Scroll down to more tools and click on Extensions

Now, you’ll see Chrome’s extension settings tab, where you can see all your extensions. Disable all of them by switching their toggle off.

Restart Chrome and check to see if it worked. If the answer is yes, then enable extensions one by one to find the problematic browser extension.

Try using another Google Chrome account

If you have another Chrome account, switch to that. If you don’t, create one and log into your new Google account.

Create a new Chrome profile:

1. Click on the user icon (shown below) in the top-right corner with your profile picture on it

2. Click on Add

3. Click on Continue without an account button

4. Choose a profile name and picture and press Done

With your new Chrome account, try testing Chrome’s password saving feature to see if it solves the issue. If it does, you may need to start transferring everything over to this new Chrome profile.

If you want to know more about Google Chrome profiles, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide here.

Reinstall Chrome

If none of the previous fixes solved the issue, uninstall the Chrome software with all its data. Then, download it again from Google Chrome Website, the official source,  and install it again.

Use a password manager

If Chrome still has problems saving your passwords, then your next best option is to use a password manager to keep up with all of your login information.

While there are many options available, two of the best ones are LastPass and 1Password. Both of these allow you to not only save passwords, but ensure your passwords are strong by offering randomized, tough-to-crack passwords.

The password managers also help make sure you are using unique passwords for each service, which is very important for account security.

Chrome saving your passwords is a huge convenience

Being able to save passwords in Chrome can be a huge help – if the feature works. Hopefully, this guide has provided the troubleshooting tips needed to make the feature work for you.

Ultimately, if you still can’t seem to get the feature right, your best course of action is to use a password manager. Then, even when you aren’t using Chrome, you’ll have a safe and secure method to save passwords across all of your devices.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Update Google Chrome right now – there are five new security issues
• Google now lets you ‘follow’ sites using the mobile Chrome browser, kind of like Google Reader
• Download these Chrome Extensions, they’re Google’s favorites for 2021
• Google Reader is kind of coming back to Chrome thanks to a new Follow button

The post 11 ways to fix Chrome not saving passwords appeared first on KnowTechie.

Catching up with the latest technology by upgrading Windows is a great way to stay tuned with the latest software. That said, utilizing the operating system to its full capacity might be challenging at first.

Even though Windows 11 might be user-friendly, you might not know all the tips and tricks, such as adding a shutdown desktop shortcut. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how.

How to create a shutdown shortcut in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows you to completely customize your device, even by creating a shutdown shortcut on your desktop, just like any other program on your desktop. To create the shortcut:

READ MORE: How to change your username in Windows 11

1. First, create a shortcut by right click on the desktop, selecting New, then choosing Shortcut

2. In the first box, you should type “shutdown /s /t 0” without the quotation marks

3. Afterward, change the name in the next section to shutdown and click on the Finish button

READ MORE: How to create a virtual desktop in Windows 11

After the shortcut is created, you can use either the standard “shutdown” icon or download whatever icon you want and replace it.

To change the icon on the Windows 11 shutdown shortcut

If you want to take your new shortcut to the next level, changing the icon is the best way to do that. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties

2. Under the Shortcut tab, select Change Icon

4. Select the Shutdown icon from the list, click Apply, and click OK to save your changes.

READ MORE: Windows 12 release date — when is it coming out?

Now, you have a snazzy icon to go with your new shortcut.

How to pin the Windows 11 shutdown shortcut to your taskbar

For more convenience, you can also add the icon to your taskbar. To pin the shutdown shortcut to your taskbar, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Shutdown shortcut and then select Show more options

2. You will see that Pin to Start and Pin to Taskbar are among the options. Choose the one that you find easiest

Shutting down your computer from the lockscreen

Another way to power off Windows 11 computers is by shutting down the PC from the Sign-in screen/Lockscreen.

READ MORE: How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11

In other words, shutting down your Windows PC doesn’t require logging in. Follow the steps below to turn your PC off from the Lock Screen:

1. On the lower-right corner of your sign-in screen, find the Power button (shown below)
2. Now, bring your mouse over that button and select Shut down

It is worth noting that using the sign-in screen can be pretty handy when your computer is frozen or is slowed down. Furthermore, you can access the lock screen by pressing Windows + L on your keyboard, then access the sign-in screen by pressing Enter.

Another way you can access this section is by holding three keys, Ctrl + Alt + Delete. This combination will take you to a new screen where you can use task manager, switch users, sign out of the current user, and even shut down your PC.

Note that just like the first method, the “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” combination can also help when dealing with malfunctioning applications, especially when they are frozen and you are unable to access anything else.

You can always rely on keyboard shortcuts

While conventional methods such as shutting down your PC from the Start Menu or by using your power buttons are always available, Windows offers keyword shortcuts that shut down your PC.

So, if your mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen is not working, you can still use your keyboard to turn off your PC. All you need to do is:

1. Get to the Windows desktop
2. Press Alt + F4
3. Then, choose the Power off option

All of this can be accomplished with just your keyboard, which is perfect for times when your computer is experiencing issues.

Create a shutdown shortcut for Windows 11 to maximize your efficiency

In most Windows versions, the majority of the methods for shutting down the computer are rather similar. While you have plenty of options, some people enjoy the convenience of a shortcut.

However, knowing the alternative options like “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” is great when your computer is acting like it is supposed to.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to use voice typing in Windows 11
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• All the current known issues with Windows 11 — and their fixes

The post How to add a Shutdown Desktop shortcut in Windows 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

If you feel the same, you’re going to want to turn off the ‘People You May Know’ feature on Facebook.

While some people might love getting friend recommendations, it’s not always ideal. Maybe you like keeping your Facebook circle small, or maybe people keep popping up that you would prefer not to see.

It’s also possible you just want to clean up your Feed a little bit and having friend suggestions constantly breaking up the flow is annoying.

Regardless of your reasoning, you can change how notifications for the feature work or turn it off completely. Here’s what to know.

How to turn off ‘People You May Know’ on desktop (PC and Mac)

People who use the desktop version of Facebook on a Windows or macOS computer make up a large percentage of Facebook users.

If you are one of these users, you can follow the steps below to disable ‘People You May Know’ on Facebook:

1. Log in to your Facebook account
2. Then, click the drop-down arrow in the top-right corner to access the Facebook menu

3. Click on Settings & privacy

4. Then, click on Settings

5. Select Notifications, then click the drop-down arrow beside People You May Know

6. To disable the People You May Know feature, turn off the Allow Notifications on Facebook option at the top of the section

Turning off ‘People You May Know’ through the mobile app

If you mainly use Facebook through the Android and iOS app, you have the option to change the feature, as well. The process is the same for both platforms. We’ll show you how below:

1. Open the Facebook app
2. Then tap on the hamburger menu (the three-line menu) at the bottom right

3. Tap on Settings & Privacy then Settings from the drop-down

4. Scroll down and tap the Notifications option from the menu

5. Find and tap the People You May Know option from the list

6. To disable the People You May Know feature, turn off the Allow Notifications on Facebook option at the top of the section

Once you’ve done that, you will no longer see the section on your Facebook feed.

READ MORE: How to make Facebook private

If at any time you would like to turn the feature back on, simply return to the section and toggle the feature back on.

Your Facebook feed just became a little less cluttered

Now that you have turned the feature off, you’ve made more room for sponsored posts and the occasional update from your friends on your Facebook feed.

While the ‘People You May Know’ feature on the social platform can be a good way to connect with people you know, it’s often filled with suggestions that aren’t relevant to you.

Turning it off is an extremely valid option if you aren’t looking for any new friends.

READ MORE: How to unlink Facebook and Instagram

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post How to turn off the ‘People You May Know’ feature on Facebook appeared first on KnowTechie.

Sadly, Microsoft has kicked most of the classic screensavers to the curb and they are no longer available directly within Windows 11. But you have access to the internet, and the internet never forgets. That includes classic Windows screensavers.

Thankfully, Windows 11 still supports classic Windows XP, NT, and 98 screensavers. That means you can still install them and add them to your desktop. We’ll show you how it all works, where to get the screensavers, and how to activate them below.

Log in to an administrator account on Windows 11

Before installing XP screensaver packs, you need to log in to an administrator account. You can verify whether or not you’re signed in to an administrator account by following these steps:

1. Open the Start menu, type Settings, and press Enter to launch the Settings app

2. Then, head over to the Accounts section in the left pane

3. If Administrator appears under the account name, you are signed in as an administrator on the computer and can move on to the next stage; otherwise, seep reading

4. If you’re not already signed in as Administrator, click on your account name and then click Sign out. On the next screen, log in with the administrator account. 

Typically, the first account you set up will have administrator privileges, so if you are using your own computer for this, you should already have administrator access.

Download XP screensaver ZIP file

After logging in as administrator, you must download the classic XP screensaver files. To do this:

1. First, head over to the Internet Archive website

2. Once the website has loaded, click ZIP to download the Windows XP And 98 screensavers

The download should begin automatically. Once it is downloaded, you’ll need to follow the steps below to extract the ZIP file.

Extract the ZIP files for Windows 98 screensavers

Before you can use the downloaded files, you must unpack them. To do that, follow along below:

1. Right-click on the Windows XP and 98 Screensavers ZIP file in your download folder and select Extract All

After unzipping the folder, you’ll find ten vintage SCR files that tell Windows that they are meant for screensavers. Three of them are included in Windows 11, but new ones include:

As you can see from the list, there are some truly classic options available, like Flying Windows and 3D Maze available to choose from.

How to test your new screensavers on Windows 11

Before we start the process of adding the screensavers to the system32 folder, you can test them first.

READ MORE: How to copy multiple items to the clipboard on Windows and Mac

To do that, right-click on the file, select Show more options, and choose Test. That will bring the screensaver up to make sure the download worked without any issues.

Now that you know the files are working correctly, it’s time to add them to Windows 11 in a way that lets you them as your actual screensaver.

Installing classic XP screensavers on Windows 11

Now that you have unzipped the downloaded files and tested them out, it’s time to move the SCR files into the system32 folder in your Windows C: drive. Here’s how:

1. Select all the SRC files in the folder by pressing Ctrl+A to Select-All. Then, right-click on one of the files and click the Copy icon or press Ctrl+C

2. After that, browse to the C: Windows\System32 directory using File Explorer and Paste the copied files directly in System32

Windows will now install the screensavers for you and add them to the files you can access for Windows 11 screensavers. We’ll show you how to change your screensaver below.

How to change your screensaver on Windows 11

Now that you’ve installed the screensavers, it’s time to start using them on your computer. Follow the steps below:

1. To begin, click on the Start menu and type Change screen saver, then press Enter.

2. Choose one of the installed screensavers from the drop-down list under Screen saver when the Change screen saver window appears.  

3. If you want to see a preview, click on the Preview button on the right side of the window.

4. Once you are happy with your selection, click Apply and then OK

There are also more settings that you can apply to your screensavers. For instance, you can adjust the duration or even change the text in the screensaver.

Windows 11 screensavers don’t have to be boring

While computers have advanced and you rarely even see screensavers anymore due to how monitors are made, they can still be a great way to personalize your PC. And what better way to do that than through some retro XP screensavers?

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to use the clipboard manager in Windows 11
• How to uninstall Windows 11 updates
• Android apps and taskbar upgrades are coming in the next Windows 11 update
• How to change the default browser in Windows 11

The post How to add Windows XP screensavers to Windows 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.