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: 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.
- Open the SupportAssist app and select Scan hardware (gear icon).
- Select Start. This does a thorough scan of your entire computer, including your display and other connected devices.
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.
- Open the SupportAssist app and select Support.
- Under Test my hardware, select Get started.
- Under the I want to troubleshoot my PC section, select I want to check a specific piece of hardware.
- 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.
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.
- Open the SupportAssist app and select Support.
- Under Test my hardware, choose Get started.
- Under the I want to troubleshoot my PC section, select I want to scan my entire PC.
- Select Start. This does a thorough scan of your entire PC, including your display and other connected devices.
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.
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.
- Open SupportAssist and click the Troubleshooting tab.
Figure 1: Screenshot of the troubleshooting tab on the SupportAssist home screen. [Image in English].
- 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.
Figure 2: Screenshot of the 'I want to check a specific piece of hardware' option. [Image in English].
- Select the device to test.
Figure 3: Screenshot of the detected hardware components in SupportAssist. [Image in English].
- 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.
- Open SupportAssist and click the down-arrow icon.
Figure 4: Screenshot of the down arrow icon on the SupportAssist home screen. [Image in English].
- On the Scan Hardware tile, click Run.
Figure 5: Screenshot of the Run button under Scan hardware. [Image in English].
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.
- Open SupportAssist and click the Troubleshooting tab.
Figure 6: Screenshot of the troubleshooting tab on the SupportAssist home screen. [Image in English].
- Click I want to troubleshoot my PC and then click I want to scan my entire PC.
Figure 7: Screenshot of the 'I want to scan my entire PC' option. [Image in English].
- Click Start. A message is displayed prompting you to save your files and close all applications.
Figure 8: Screenshot of the Start button to run a hardware scan the entire computer. [Image in English].
- 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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