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Top Interview Questions
Troubleshooting is a systematic approach used to identify, analyze, and resolve problems that occur in systems, machines, software, networks, or processes. In the field of information technology, engineering, electronics, and even daily life, troubleshooting plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations. Whenever a system fails to perform as expected, troubleshooting helps determine the root cause and implement an effective solution.
In today’s technology-driven world, organizations depend heavily on IT systems, software applications, and networks. Any issue or downtime can result in financial loss, reduced productivity, and customer dissatisfaction. Therefore, troubleshooting is considered a core skill for professionals such as software developers, system administrators, network engineers, quality analysts, and technical support engineers.
Troubleshooting is the process of diagnosing a problem and finding a solution to fix it. It involves logical thinking, technical knowledge, observation, and testing. The goal is not only to resolve the immediate issue but also to prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.
For example:
If a website is not loading, troubleshooting may involve checking the server, internet connection, DNS settings, or application code.
If a computer is slow, troubleshooting may include checking hardware resources, background applications, malware, or system configurations.
Troubleshooting is essential for the following reasons:
Minimizes Downtime
Quick and effective troubleshooting reduces system downtime and ensures business continuity.
Improves System Reliability
Identifying root causes helps prevent recurring issues, making systems more stable.
Enhances User Satisfaction
Resolving problems efficiently improves the experience of users and customers.
Cost Savings
Early detection of issues avoids major failures and expensive repairs.
Skill Development
Troubleshooting improves analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and technical expertise.
This involves identifying and fixing physical components such as hard drives, RAM, CPUs, printers, cables, or power supplies.
Examples include:
System not powering on
Overheating issues
Faulty peripheral devices
Software troubleshooting focuses on operating systems, applications, and system programs.
Examples include:
Application crashes
Software installation errors
Compatibility issues
Network troubleshooting deals with connectivity and communication issues.
Examples include:
No internet access
Slow network performance
IP configuration errors
This involves debugging application-level problems such as logic errors, database issues, or API failures.
Basic troubleshooting performed to address common user issues such as login problems, configuration mistakes, or usage errors.
A structured troubleshooting approach ensures accurate and efficient problem resolution.
Clearly understand what the issue is. Gather information by:
Asking users questions
Observing error messages
Reviewing logs and alerts
Based on the symptoms, list possible causes. This could include hardware failure, software bugs, configuration errors, or environmental issues.
Test the most likely cause first. This saves time and effort. For example, restart a service or replace a faulty cable.
Once the cause is identified, decide how to fix it. Consider the impact of the solution on the system and users.
Apply the fix carefully. Follow best practices and, if needed, take backups before making changes.
After applying the solution, confirm that the system is working as expected and no new issues are introduced.
Documentation helps in future troubleshooting and knowledge sharing.
Event Logs – Used to analyze system and application errors
Task Manager / Resource Monitor – Helps identify performance issues
Ping, Tracert, Netstat – Used in network troubleshooting
Debuggers – Used by developers to find code-level issues
Monitoring Tools – Track system health and performance
Analytical Thinking
Ability to analyze symptoms and determine possible causes.
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of systems, software, and networks.
Patience and Focus
Some issues take time and multiple attempts to resolve.
Communication Skills
Clear communication with users and team members is essential.
Documentation Skills
Writing clear reports and solutions helps others in the future.
Incomplete or incorrect information
Complex systems with multiple dependencies
Time pressure in critical systems
Intermittent issues that are hard to reproduce
Despite these challenges, a systematic approach greatly improves success rates.
Always follow a structured approach
Do not assume; verify with tests
Start with simple solutions before complex ones
Keep systems and tools updated
Maintain proper documentation
Learn from past issues and solutions
Troubleshooting is not limited to IT. It is used in:
Mechanical systems (vehicles, machines)
Electrical systems
Medical equipment
Everyday appliances
This makes troubleshooting a universal and highly valuable skill.
Troubleshooting is a critical process that ensures systems operate efficiently and reliably. It combines technical knowledge, logical thinking, and practical experience to identify and resolve problems effectively. Whether you are a fresher starting your career or an experienced professional, mastering troubleshooting skills can significantly enhance your performance and value in any organization.
By following a structured troubleshooting process, using the right tools, and continuously learning from experience, individuals can handle complex issues with confidence and precision. In a world where technology is constantly evolving, troubleshooting remains an indispensable skill for long-term success.
Answer:
Troubleshooting is a systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems in a system, software, hardware, or network. The main goal of troubleshooting is to find the root cause of an issue and fix it efficiently.
For example, if a computer is not turning on, troubleshooting involves checking power supply, cables, hardware components, and software settings step by step.
Answer:
Troubleshooting is important because:
It minimizes downtime
It improves system performance
It saves time and cost
It ensures smooth business operations
It helps maintain user satisfaction
Without proper troubleshooting, small issues can become major problems.
Answer:
The basic troubleshooting steps are:
Identify the problem
Gather information
Analyze possible causes
Apply a solution
Test the solution
Document the issue and fix
This structured approach helps avoid confusion and repeated errors.
Answer:
A root cause is the main reason why a problem occurred. Fixing only the symptoms may temporarily solve the issue, but identifying and fixing the root cause prevents the problem from happening again.
Example:
Symptom: Application crashes
Root cause: Memory leak in code
Answer:
Issue: A small or temporary disturbance that may not affect the entire system
Problem: A serious fault that impacts system functionality or performance
An issue can turn into a problem if not addressed on time.
Answer:
Steps include:
Check power cable and power supply
Verify power socket
Check UPS or battery
Inspect hardware components
Look for indicator lights or beep sounds
This helps isolate whether the issue is power-related or hardware-related.
Answer:
Wait for a few seconds to see if it recovers
Close unnecessary background applications
Restart the software
Restart the system
Check system resources (CPU, RAM)
If the issue continues, reinstall or update the software.
Answer:
A troubleshooting log is a document that records:
Problem description
Date and time
Steps taken
Solutions applied
Final outcome
It helps in future reference and knowledge sharing.
Answer:
Check CPU and memory usage
Scan for viruses or malware
Remove unnecessary startup programs
Clean temporary files
Update drivers and OS
Performance issues are often caused by resource overload.
Answer:
The first step is to listen carefully and understand the problem. Ask relevant questions such as:
When did the issue start?
What actions were performed?
Is there any error message?
Clear understanding saves time during troubleshooting.
Answer:
Check physical connections (cables, Wi-Fi)
Verify IP address and network settings
Ping the gateway or server
Restart router or modem
Check firewall settings
This helps determine whether the issue is local or network-wide.
Answer:
Trial-and-error is a method where multiple possible solutions are tested one by one until the issue is resolved. While simple, it can be time-consuming and should be used carefully.
Answer:
Hardware troubleshooting: Deals with physical components like CPU, RAM, hard disk
Software troubleshooting: Deals with applications, operating systems, and configurations
Both require different tools and approaches.
Answer:
Common tools include:
Task Manager
Event Viewer
Command Prompt
Network diagnostic tools
Log files
Antivirus software
These tools help identify system behavior and errors.
Answer:
Safe Mode starts the system with minimal drivers and services. It is used to:
Diagnose startup issues
Remove faulty software
Fix driver conflicts
If a system works in safe mode, the issue is likely software-related.
Answer:
Read the error message carefully
Check logs
Verify system requirements
Update the application
Reinstall if needed
Error messages often give clues to the solution.
Answer:
Escalation means forwarding an issue to a higher-level support team when:
The issue is complex
Access permissions are required
The solution is beyond your responsibility
Proper escalation ensures faster resolution.
Answer:
Stay calm and focused
Follow standard procedures
Prioritize critical issues
Communicate clearly with users
Good communication reduces stress and confusion.
Answer:
Preventive troubleshooting involves identifying potential issues before they occur by:
Regular system maintenance
Monitoring performance
Updating software and hardware
This reduces future downtime.
Answer:
Documentation helps:
Avoid repeating the same mistakes
Train new team members
Maintain consistency
Improve problem-solving efficiency
Good documentation is a key professional skill.
Answer:
Intermittent problems appear occasionally and are difficult to reproduce. To handle them:
Ask the user for details: when it happens, frequency, environment.
Check logs for patterns.
Replicate the issue if possible.
Monitor system performance continuously.
Apply fixes in small increments and verify results.
Example: A network disconnects randomly. Checking router logs and client events helps identify the pattern.
Answer:
Reactive troubleshooting: Fixing issues after they occur.
Proactive troubleshooting: Preventing issues before they occur by monitoring systems, applying updates, and doing preventive maintenance.
Freshers should understand both approaches to be efficient in IT roles.
Answer:
Steps:
Check power and connections (USB, network).
Verify paper, toner, or ink levels.
Check printer queue for pending jobs.
Reinstall printer drivers if needed.
Test by printing a test page.
This ensures both hardware and software issues are addressed.
Answer:
Event Viewer is a Windows tool that logs system, application, and security events. It helps identify:
Errors and warnings
System crashes
Hardware failures
Steps to use:
Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)
Navigate to Windows Logs → System/Application
Check error timestamps and details
Use event ID to search for solutions online
Answer:
Check the modem/router and restart it.
Verify Wi-Fi signal strength and interference.
Check if other devices are working.
Run ping and traceroute commands to test connectivity.
Contact ISP if the problem persists.
This separates local network issues from ISP problems.
Answer:
A memory leak occurs when a program uses memory but fails to release it, causing system slowdown or crashes.
Troubleshooting steps:
Monitor system RAM usage in Task Manager or Resource Monitor.
Identify which application consumes excessive memory.
Update or patch the software.
Restart the application or system as a temporary fix.
Memory leaks are common in software development and testing roles.
Answer:
Check the OS version and system requirements.
Run the application in compatibility mode.
Update the application and OS.
Verify dependencies (like .NET Framework, Java).
Consult logs for specific errors.
This is common when running older software on modern systems.
Answer:
Steps:
Note the error code and message.
Check recent hardware/software changes.
Boot into Safe Mode.
Use System Restore or Driver Rollback if needed.
Check Event Viewer and minidump files.
Update drivers and Windows.
BSODs often indicate driver conflicts, hardware failures, or system corruption.
Answer:
Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc)
Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks.
Right-click → Update Driver or Uninstall Device.
Scan for hardware changes.
Device Manager helps quickly identify and fix hardware or driver issues.
Answer:
Verify system requirements.
Ensure enough disk space.
Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily.
Check user permissions.
Clean previous installations or corrupted files.
Reinstall with administrative privileges.
Many installation errors occur due to insufficient permissions or missing dependencies.
Answer:
Check CPU/GPU temperature using monitoring tools.
Clean dust from fans and vents.
Ensure proper airflow.
Verify the thermal paste and heatsink.
Reduce resource-intensive applications.
Overheating can cause performance issues or shutdowns.
Answer:
Read carefully and note the exact wording.
Search the error code online for solutions.
Check system/application logs.
Consult knowledge base or manuals.
Apply solutions one step at a time to avoid causing other issues.
Clarity in documentation and communication is key here.
Answer:
Restart the device.
Check battery and connectivity.
Update apps and OS.
Clear cache and storage if needed.
Reset network settings or perform a factory reset if necessary.
Mobile troubleshooting is important for technical support roles.
Answer:
Troubleshooting: Solving general IT, hardware, or network issues (broader scope).
Debugging: Finding and fixing coding errors in software (specific to developers).
Both require logical analysis but differ in scope and tools.
Answer:
Verify system for viruses, malware, or unauthorized access.
Check firewall and antivirus settings.
Ensure proper patching and updates.
Review access logs for unusual activity.
Isolate infected systems to prevent spread.
Security troubleshooting is critical to avoid data loss and breaches.
Answer:
Check server uptime and logs.
Verify network connectivity to the server.
Restart services if needed.
Check storage, CPU, and memory usage.
Use monitoring tools to detect abnormal behavior.
Cloud troubleshooting often requires remote access and monitoring tools.
Answer:
Fixing symptoms instead of the root cause.
Ignoring logs or error messages.
Making changes without backup.
Not documenting solutions.
Panicking under pressure.
Awareness of these mistakes helps freshers develop better troubleshooting habits.
Answer:
Record the problem description.
Note the time and date.
List all steps taken.
Include solutions applied and final result.
Save screenshots, logs, or configuration details if possible.
This helps others and yourself in future incidents.
Answer:
Check compatibility with OS and system requirements.
Run in Safe Mode to isolate issues.
Disable startup programs that may conflict.
Check logs or Event Viewer for error codes.
Reinstall or update the software.
Crashes are usually caused by conflicts, corrupted files, or outdated dependencies.
Answer:
Verify recipient address is correct.
Check SMTP/POP/IMAP settings.
Ensure internet connectivity.
Look for blocked attachments or spam filters.
Check email server status.
Email issues often arise due to configuration errors or server problems.
Answer:
With experience, troubleshooting is more structured and efficient:
Prioritize issues based on impact and urgency.
Analyze logs, patterns, and historical data before applying fixes.
Consider dependencies between systems.
Document solutions and preventive measures.
Use automation and monitoring tools to detect issues proactively.
Experience allows professionals to diagnose root causes faster and avoid repetitive mistakes.
Answer:
Steps:
Assess impact: Identify affected users, systems, and business processes.
Gather information: Check alerts, logs, and recent changes.
Isolate the problem: Identify which component is failing.
Apply corrective actions: Restart services, roll back changes, or apply hotfixes.
Communicate: Keep stakeholders updated.
Post-mortem: Analyze root cause, implement preventive measures.
Example: A database server crash affecting multiple applications. Steps include checking DB logs, rolling back recent updates, and restoring services from backup if needed.
Answer:
Monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
Identify recent deployments or configuration changes.
Check database query performance.
Review application logs for errors or warnings.
Use profiling or monitoring tools (like New Relic, Nagios, Datadog).
Apply targeted optimization instead of generic fixes.
Experience helps in identifying bottlenecks rather than just symptoms.
Answer:
Use ping, traceroute, and pathping to analyze connectivity.
Check router/switch logs and firmware versions.
Monitor network traffic for spikes or drops.
Review DNS settings and resolve conflicts.
Isolate whether the issue is local (device-specific) or global (ISP/network-wide).
Experienced engineers often correlate logs from multiple devices to find patterns causing intermittent failures.
Answer:
Collect data: Logs, monitoring tools, user reports.
Reproduce the issue if possible.
Identify symptoms vs. underlying cause.
Use techniques like 5 Whys or Ishikawa diagrams.
Implement a solution and preventive action.
Example: Application crashes during peak load → investigate memory usage → discover a memory leak in service → patch the service.
Answer:
Communicate clearly with each team about symptoms, logs, and dependencies.
Assign responsibilities to avoid duplication.
Maintain a central log of troubleshooting steps and updates.
Use collaboration tools (like Jira, Confluence, Slack) to track progress.
Ensure proper escalation and sign-off once resolved.
Experience teaches coordination and accountability, which is crucial in large environments.
Answer:
Check database server resources (CPU, memory, disk I/O).
Analyze slow queries using query logs or profiling tools.
Verify indexing and table statistics.
Check for locks, deadlocks, or transaction conflicts.
Review recent schema changes or deployments.
Consider caching solutions or database scaling if necessary.
Experienced DBAs and backend engineers often resolve issues without downtime.
Answer:
Use memory profiling tools (like VisualVM, JProfiler, or .NET Memory Profiler).
Monitor heap and stack usage over time.
Identify objects that are not garbage collected.
Review code for unclosed resources, event listeners, or caching issues.
Apply patches and perform regression testing.
Experience is essential for identifying subtle leaks that may not crash the system immediately.
Answer:
Check deployment logs for errors.
Verify environment configurations and dependencies.
Roll back to the previous stable version if needed.
Test scripts or automation pipelines to ensure repeatable deployments.
Investigate root cause and update deployment documentation.
Experienced professionals reduce downtime by preparing rollback strategies in advance.
Answer:
Immediately notify stakeholders.
Identify which services are down and their business impact.
Boot server in recovery or safe mode if possible.
Restore from backup or failover to redundant systems.
Analyze logs to find the cause (hardware failure, OS crash, software bug).
Implement preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
Professionals with experience understand disaster recovery and failover procedures.
Answer:
Isolate affected systems to prevent further compromise.
Review access logs and user activity.
Scan for malware, ransomware, or suspicious processes.
Identify how the breach occurred (vulnerability, phishing, weak passwords).
Patch systems and update policies.
Communicate findings and lessons learned.
Security troubleshooting requires technical skills and adherence to policies.
Answer:
Check service health dashboards (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Monitor cloud metrics like CPU, memory, network throughput, and storage.
Analyze logs from multiple services (app, DB, network).
Verify configuration and permissions.
Use cloud-native troubleshooting tools (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, Stackdriver).
Experienced professionals correlate cloud service events with application issues to resolve quickly.
Answer:
Identify processes consuming the most CPU using top, htop, or Task Manager.
Check for infinite loops, heavy queries, or batch jobs.
Profile applications to find CPU hotspots.
Optimize code, queries, or background jobs.
Restart services if necessary and monitor results.
Experience helps distinguish between legitimate spikes vs. abnormal usage.
Answer:
Check VM host resource allocation.
Verify VM memory, CPU, and disk usage.
Check hypervisor logs for errors.
Resize disk or memory if under-provisioned.
Investigate snapshots or backup operations causing high I/O.
Professionals know resource constraints and virtualization-specific issues.
Answer:
Increase log verbosity or enable debug mode temporarily.
Use monitoring tools to capture system metrics.
Collect snapshots of memory, processes, or network traffic.
Reproduce the issue in a controlled environment if possible.
Collaborate with developers or engineers to add logging in critical paths.
Experienced engineers rely on data-driven investigation rather than guesswork.
Answer:
Check server-side performance (CPU, memory, database queries).
Review API calls, external service dependencies, and caching mechanisms.
Test network latency using tools like ping or browser DevTools.
Analyze application logs for errors or timeouts.
Optimize code, database queries, and caching strategies.
Scenario-based troubleshooting is common in roles supporting live production systems.
Answer:
Verify update installation and compatibility.
Check logs and event viewers for errors.
Rollback updates if critical issues occur.
Test systems in staging environments before production deployment.
Communicate known issues and patches to users.
Experience reduces downtime caused by misconfigured or faulty updates.
Answer:
Verify virtual switches and VLAN configurations.
Check host firewall and security group rules.
Test connectivity between VMs using ping or traceroute.
Examine logs from hypervisor and VM OS.
Restart network services or adjust configuration if needed.
Virtualization introduces layered network complexity, which requires advanced troubleshooting skills.
Answer:
Identify services that depend on each other (databases, APIs, microservices).
Check logs of all dependent services.
Ensure proper startup order and configuration.
Test individual components in isolation.
Implement retries or fallback mechanisms if necessary.
This is crucial for distributed systems and cloud environments.
Answer:
Describe the problem, impact, and affected systems.
List all investigation steps and tools used.
Include configuration details, scripts, or commands.
Note root cause and solution.
Suggest preventive measures.
Store documentation in a shared repository for team access.
Experienced professionals maintain knowledge bases to accelerate future troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting at this level is data-driven, structured, and proactive.
Professionals use logs, monitoring tools, and system knowledge to find root causes.
They handle complex, multi-layered problems involving networks, cloud, software, hardware, and dependencies.
Clear documentation and communication with stakeholders is as important as technical fixes.
Answer:
Collect logs from the time of the crash.
Monitor CPU, memory, and disk usage to detect spikes.
Use monitoring tools (New Relic, AppDynamics) to track performance patterns.
Check for recently deployed code or configuration changes.
Replicate the issue in a staging environment if possible.
Apply hotfixes or roll back the problematic change.
Intermittent issues often require pattern analysis and correlation of logs across systems.
Answer:
Identify slow queries using database logs or query profiler.
Check indexes and ensure proper query optimization.
Analyze database schema for normalization or denormalization issues.
Review recent schema changes or migration scripts.
Use caching for frequently accessed data.
Consider load balancing or database partitioning for large-scale systems.
Experienced professionals combine query optimization and infrastructure improvements.
Answer:
Identify affected segments or devices.
Check router/switch configurations and logs.
Test connectivity using ping, traceroute, or pathping.
Verify DNS resolution and DHCP settings.
Restart network devices or update firmware if necessary.
Collaborate with ISPs or other teams for wider network issues.
Partial network failures require systematic isolation of problem segments.
Answer:
Verify endpoint availability.
Check API authentication and permissions.
Review request and response payloads for errors.
Monitor network latency and firewall rules.
Analyze logs on both client and server sides.
Retry with correct parameters and validate responses.
APIs often fail due to authentication errors, network issues, or payload mismatches.
Answer:
Monitor metrics using cloud monitoring tools (AWS CloudWatch, Azure Monitor).
Identify processes or services consuming excessive resources.
Check for autoscaling triggers and load patterns.
Inspect recent deployments or scheduled jobs.
Optimize code, queries, or background tasks to reduce resource usage.
Scale resources temporarily if needed.
Cloud troubleshooting often involves resource monitoring and load pattern analysis.
Answer:
Check physical connections, power supply, and hardware health.
Use recovery mode or bootable media to inspect disk integrity.
Check BIOS/UEFI settings and hardware configuration.
Analyze system logs from previous shutdowns.
Restore from backup if disk or OS is corrupted.
Experienced engineers focus on quick isolation of hardware vs. software issues.
Answer:
Measure latency using browser DevTools or monitoring tools.
Identify slow database queries or API calls.
Check server performance (CPU, memory, I/O).
Review network bandwidth and packet loss.
Optimize frontend code and caching strategies.
Use Content Delivery Networks (CDN) for static content.
Latency troubleshooting requires full-stack analysis.
Answer:
Check user credentials and account status.
Verify Active Directory, LDAP, or SSO integration.
Review authentication logs for errors.
Confirm system time synchronization for token-based authentication.
Reset passwords or tokens if required.
Authentication issues often involve configuration, permissions, or time synchronization.
Answer:
Check disk usage with tools like df, du, or Disk Management.
Identify large or unnecessary files for cleanup.
Rotate and archive logs.
Check temporary and cache directories.
Consider increasing disk capacity or moving data to external storage.
Disk issues require both immediate cleanup and long-term storage planning.
Answer:
Review the patch documentation and release notes.
Compare configuration changes before and after patch.
Check logs for errors or warnings.
Roll back patch if critical functionality breaks.
Test in a staging environment before production deployment.
Experienced professionals minimize downtime and risk by testing patches first.
Answer:
Verify VPN client configuration and credentials.
Check VPN server status and firewall rules.
Ensure proper routing and DNS resolution.
Test connectivity from different networks.
Review VPN logs for errors.
Update VPN client or server software if necessary.
VPN troubleshooting often requires understanding networking and encryption protocols.
Answer:
Check the service provider’s status dashboard (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Review your application’s logs for failed connections or errors.
Verify network connectivity to cloud endpoints.
Implement failover to alternate regions or services if available.
Communicate downtime to stakeholders.
Experience helps in distinguishing provider outages from internal misconfigurations.
Answer:
Monitor memory usage over time using profiling tools.
Identify objects that are not released by garbage collection.
Check for unclosed file handles, sockets, or database connections.
Apply patches or code fixes and monitor performance.
Restart services as a temporary mitigation.
Memory leaks are subtle and require continuous monitoring and code analysis.
Answer:
Check SMTP server status and configuration.
Verify recipient email addresses.
Inspect spam filters or firewalls.
Review email logs for bounce messages or errors.
Check DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM) for email delivery issues.
Email troubleshooting requires network, server, and configuration knowledge.
Answer:
Identify which layer is failing (frontend, backend, database, network).
Review logs for each layer and correlate timestamps.
Check service dependencies and configuration settings.
Test each component in isolation.
Implement monitoring and alerts for faster detection in the future.
Multi-tier troubleshooting requires systematic isolation and dependency analysis.
Answer:
Enable or increase logging temporarily.
Use monitoring tools to capture real-time metrics.
Reproduce the issue in a controlled environment.
Capture network traffic or memory snapshots.
Work with developers to add logging for future incidents.
Professionals rely on data collection and controlled reproduction when logs are insufficient.
Answer:
Use ping, traceroute, and network monitoring tools to identify slow hops.
Check load balancer performance and routing rules.
Monitor network traffic patterns and congestion.
Review DNS resolution and firewall rules.
Investigate ISP issues or cloud provider network events.
Distributed systems require correlating network metrics across multiple nodes.
Answer:
Check container logs using docker logs or kubectl logs.
Inspect resource usage with docker stats or kubectl top.
Verify image versions and environment variables.
Restart containers or pods if needed.
Check orchestration logs and events for errors.
Container troubleshooting requires understanding orchestration, networking, and resource limits.
Answer:
Identify dependent services using architecture documentation.
Check logs and error codes across all services.
Verify network connectivity and API contracts.
Implement retries or circuit breakers to handle temporary failures.
Coordinate with other service teams to resolve persistent issues.
Dependency failures require collaboration and systemic thinking.
Answer:
Describe the problem, affected systems, and impact.
Record all troubleshooting steps and tools used.
Include commands, configuration changes, and scripts.
Note root cause, solution, and preventive measures.
Store in a shared knowledge base or wiki for team access.
Documentation helps prevent recurrence and reduces mean time to resolution (MTTR).
