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How to Run a Diagnostic Test Using SupportAssist

Summary: This article provides instructions on how to run hardware diagnostics using SupportAssist on a Dell computer.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Running a hardware scan enables you to detect hardware issues on your Dell computer. By default, SupportAssist scans your computer hardware once a month to detect hardware issues. You can also manually perform one of the following to identify a hardware issue:

  • Scan a specific hardware component.
  • Run a quick hardware scan.
  • Run a stress test.

To learn more about SupportAssist, see the SupportAssist user guide.

NOTE: SupportAssist is preinstalled on all Windows computers that are shipped out of the Dell factory. If SupportAssist is not preinstalled, download and install SupportAssist. To learn more, see SupportAssist FAQs.
NOTE: You must have administrator privileges to install SupportAssist.
NOTE: Some tests for specific devices require user interaction. Always ensure that you are present at the computer terminal when the diagnostic tests are performed.

How to Scan the System Hardware using SupportAssist

Watch this video to learn how to run a hardware scan using SupportAssist.

Duration: 00:02:47 (hh:mm:ss)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.

Quick hardware scan in SupportAssist

A quick scan of your computer detects issues in hardware components such as the hard drive, processor, memory module, and so on.

NOTE: Dell Technologies recommends saving and closing all files and applications and ensuring that your device is plugged into a power source.
  1. Open the SupportAssist app and select Scan hardware (chip icon).
    Home screen of the SupportAssist version 4.0.3 app
  2. Select Start. This does a thorough scan of your entire computer, including your display and other connected devices.
    Start button for quick scan in SupportAssist version 4.0.3

Scan a specific hardware component in SupportAssist

SupportAssist enables you to test or scan a specific hardware component that is installed in your computer.

NOTE: Dell Technologies recommends saving and closing all files and applications and ensuring that your device is plugged into a power source.
  1. Open the SupportAssist app and select Support.
    Home screen of the SupportAssist version 4.0.3 app
  2. Under Test my hardware, select Get started.
    Test my hardware option in SupportAssist version 4.0.3
  3. Under the I want to troubleshoot my PC section, select I want to check a specific piece of hardware.
    I want to scan a specific piece of hardware option in SupportAssist version 4.0.3
  4. Select the component to test. The list of components varies depending on the configuration of your Dell computer. SupportAssist may open additional utilities or windows to help determine the health of the hardware. If a component is not listed because of recent hardware changes, select Refresh hardware list.
    List of hardware devices detected by SupportAssist version 4.0.3

Full system scan or stress test in SupportAssist

SupportAssist helps perform a deep system scan to identify the cause of any issues or ensure that your computer is running at its best. The stress test does a thorough scan of the computer, including the display and other connected devices.

NOTE: Dell Technologies recommends saving and closing all files and applications and ensuring that your device is plugged into a power source.
  1. Open the SupportAssist app and select Support.
    Home screen of the SupportAssist version 4.0.3 app
  2. Under Test my hardware, choose Get started.
    Test my hardware option in SupportAssist version 4.0.3
  3. Under the I want to troubleshoot my PC section, select I want to scan my entire PC.
    I want to scan my entire PC option in SupportAssist version 4.0.3
  4. Select Start. This does a thorough scan of your entire PC, including your display and other connected devices.
    Start button for thorough scan of entire PC in SupportAssist version 4.0.3

How to Scan an Entire Computer using SupportAssist

Watch this video to learn how to run a full hardware scan using SupportAssist.

Duration: 00:00:31 (hh:mm:ss)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.

Additional Information

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Scan a specific hardware component

SupportAssist enables you to scan a specific hardware component that is installed in your computer. The steps to run a scan depend on the hardware component that you select.

  1. Open SupportAssist and click the Troubleshooting tab.
    Screenshot of the troubleshooting tab on the SupportAssist home screen
  2. Click I want to troubleshoot my PC and click I want to check a specific piece of hardware. The list of hardware components that are available on your computer is displayed.
    NOTE: To update the list of hardware components that are displayed, click the Refresh hardware link.
    Screenshot of the 'I want to check a specific piece of hardware' option
  3. Select the device to test.
    Screenshot of the detected hardware components in SupportAssist
  4. Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the test.

Run a quick hardware scan

A quick scan of your computer detects issues in hardware components such as the hard drive, processor, memory module, and so on.

  1. Open SupportAssist and click the down-arrow icon.
    Screenshot of the down arrow icon on the SupportAssist home screen
  2. On the Scan Hardware tile, click Run.
    Screenshot of the Run button under Scan hardware

Run a stress test

A stress test detects issues in components such as the system board, optical drives, and camera. It also detects issues in components that are scanned during a quick scan.

  1. Open SupportAssist and click the Troubleshooting tab.
    Screenshot of the troubleshooting tab on the SupportAssist home screen
  2. Click I want to troubleshoot my PC and then click I want to scan my entire PC.
    Screenshot of the 'I want to scan my entire PC' option
  3. Click Start. A message is displayed prompting you to save your files and close all applications.
    Screenshot of the Start button to run a hardware scan the entire computer
  4. After you save your files and close all the applications, click OK to run the test. During the test, the name of the task that is running is displayed above the tiles and the progress is displayed on the Scan Hardware tile.

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Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, SupportAssist for Home PCs , SupportAssist for Business PCs ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000198182
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 18 أغسطس 2024
Version:  8
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