troubleshoot

verb

trou·​ble·​shoot ˈtrə-bəl-ˌshüt 

troubleshot ˈtrə-bəl-ˌshät  ; troubleshooting

intransitive verb

: to operate or serve as a troubleshooter

is troubleshooting for an electronics firm

transitive verb

: to investigate or deal with in the role of troubleshooter

troubleshoots computer problems

troubleshoot a problem

Examples of troubleshoot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Messaging standards, troubleshooting protocols and dispute-handling are all becoming established. — Ivaylo Bozoukov, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Several internal teams have stopped holding office hours to troubleshoot researchers’ problems, the company said, because agents now handle much of that work. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Get your paperwork sorted, make some phone calls, and troubleshoot the error messages on your screen. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

That often leads them to spend time troubleshooting the procedure and trying slightly different conditions to get useful data. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from troubleshooter

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for troubleshoot

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

troubleshoot

verb

trou·​ble·​shoot ˈtrəb-əl-ˌshüt 

troubleshot -ˌshät  ; troubleshooting

1

: to locate trouble and make repairs (as in machinery)

2

: to find a solution to a problem or disagreement