The Best Computer Repair Courses for At-Home Users and Budding Professionals in 2024

Computers have become an important part of everyday life. We use them for everything: working, connecting with friends, finding recipes, Googling simple questions, researching, playing games, editing videos — the list goes on.

Because this technology is so pivotal to our day-to-day lives, it’s pretty frustrating when something breaks or slows down. Usually, we’d take our PCs to a shop that will charge us over $50 just to look at it. Some repairs can cost hundreds.

Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could repair your computer yourself? Learning computer repair will save you the money and hassle of bringing your computer to the shop. And, if you’re interested, you could even start your own computer repair business. Because of how prolific computers are, there’s high demand for this skill set.

In this article, we’ll cover what to look for in a course on computer repair. Then, we’ll review the six best courses available online. We’ll also dive deeper into the subject of computer repair and provide answers to some of the most common questions about computer repair courses.

Orientation

There are quite a few computer repair courses available online, and many of them cover different information. To help you figure out which one might be right for you, here are some tips about what you should be looking for when shopping for a computer repair course.

What Is Your Goal?

When it comes to computer repair classes, there is a wide range of options because the phrase “computer repair” is an umbrella term that refers to the many types of PC maintenance. Some classes are meant to help you on your journey toward a career in IT, whereas others are more about troubleshooting common issues such as a slow PC.

When looking for a computer repair class, you need to consider what your goal is. Do you want to have extensive knowledge on all facets of computer repair, so much so that you could get a job in the field if you wanted to? Or, are you just interested in learning the basics — the things everyone can do at home if they only take the time to learn how.

Software or Hardware?

When it comes to repairing computers, there are two main components that can cause issues: the hardware and the software. Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer like the motherboard and hard drive.

Software, on the other hand, is all digital; programs like iTunes and operating systems like Windows 10 are all considered software. Some courses will focus on one or the other, whereas some will focus on both.

Consider Your Operating System

When we’re talking about troubleshooting problems with software, we should not ignore which operating system (OS) a PC is using. The most popular operating systems are Windows and macOS, but there is another called Linux (there are other Linux-derived operating systems like Ubuntu, too). You may also come across ChromeOS if you own a Chromebook.

The reason it’s important to consider your operating system is because the fixes that work for Windows may not apply to a different operating system like macOS. In many cases, though, the information in general courses can be applied to any PC, but the interfaces and menus will look different depending on the OS. Still, you should make sure the course you’re interested in applies to the operating system you’re using.

Laptop or Desktop?

Laptop PCs are slightly different from desktop PCs when it comes to hardware. While both types of computers use the same parts to run, laptop parts are, obviously, much smaller, and laptops require batteries and chargers to function.

It also tends to be a bit trickier to take a laptop apart than it is to take a desktop PC apart. However, when it comes to software, the repair steps will be the same since both laptops and desktops run the same kinds of software.

What Are the Teacher’s Credentials?

Online courses are often a great way to learn new skills on a budget. However, many websites offering courses don’t have the strictest requirements when it comes to qualifications for their instructors. On some sites, almost anyone can post a course.

This is understandable since you don’t exactly need a degree to be able to teach things like knitting or wire wrapping jewelry. But when it comes to computer repair, it becomes much more important that the instructor knows their stuff.

Therefore, when searching for computer repair courses online, it’s worth your while to check out the instructor’s bio. Of course, we’ve got your back and will only be sharing courses from knowledgeable instructors.

Cost

As the saying goes, money doesn’t grow on trees, so it’s important to consider your budget. How much are you willing to spend on learning about computer repair? We’ll be sure to share the standard price of every course on our list so you’ll easily be able to find one within your budget.

Now that you know what to look for when researching computer repair courses let’s get to the courses themselves!

Top 6 Best Computer Repair Courses 202


1. Troubleshooting Common PC Issues for Users

  • 1 hr 49 min $24.99 Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Perfect for the average PC user
  • Teaches users how to solve the most common PC problems
  • Instructor: Dan Gookin

Why we like it

This course shares a plethora of common PC problems that most users will face and explains how to fix them. Though it won’t make you an IT genius, it may keep you from have to hire one!

What You’ll Learn

This course covers a range of common PC issues and teaches you how to troubleshoot them. You’ll learn how to determine if a problem is caused by hardware or software and how to handle start-up errors, shutdown issues, and improper system settings.

The instructor, Dan Gookin, also covers how to improve the performance of hard drives and how to address issues with connected devices such as monitors and printers. The course also includes some tips on dealing with network and internet connectivity problems.

This course mainly focuses on software issues, though as stated, it does cover how to tell whether or not a problem is caused by hardware or software. Because of the focus on troubleshooting software problems, the fixes you’ll learn will apply to both laptops and desktops. Though some information may apply to any system, the course does focus on PCs running Windows.

About the Instructor

Dan Gookin is a PC expert who has written over 120 titles, including the original DOS For Dummies which was published in 1991. Gookin has also written some other books in the “For Dummies” series, including PCs For Dummies and Laptops For Dummies.

Our Verdict

This course is perfect for the average user who is tired of feeling lost and panicked whenever they encounter an issue with their PC. It covers the most common problems people face with PCs and how to solve them.

While it won’t give you the credentials you need to become an expert in IT, it may keep you from paying an IT technician to repair your PC. The price is also relatively fair compared to other computer repair courses; however, many of the other courses on our list often go on sale and become cheaper than this one.

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Provides a well-rounded understanding of common PC problems
  • Fair price

Cons

  • May not be worthwhile for Linux or Mac users
  • Not much information about hardware repair


2. Help Desk Handbook for End Users: PC Basics, Hardware, Operating Systems, and Applications

  • 2 hr 18 min $39.99 Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Helps users understand how computers work so they can better pinpoint the source of problems
  • Has a section dedicated to explaining PC hardware
  • Instructor: Scott Jernigan

Why we like it

Unlike other courses on our list, this course goes over each piece of hardware inside a PC. It provides a solid understanding of how PCs operate and offers solutions to common issues.

What You’ll Learn

In order to repair a computer, you need to understand how it works. This means understanding the hardware that makes up a computer as well as the software. This course will teach you about both and help you troubleshoot beginner-level IT problems.

You’ll learn about storage, memory usage, computer setup, app installation, file management, backups, and how to wipe a computer for resale. The course also covers the basics of operating systems and teaches about peripherals (any hardware connected to the PC, such as a keyboard or mouse).

About the Instructor

Scott Jernigan has been the chief editor at Total Seminars for over 15 years. As such, he has even worked as the chief editor on some of Mike Meyers’ books, another instructor whose courses we’ve included on our list and who is a famous name in IT. Jernigan has several CompTIA certifications of his own and is also a Microsoft Certified Professional.

Our Verdict

This course provides a foundation for understanding how computers operate both in terms of hardware and software. It also offers troubleshooting advice for a plethora of common PC issues.

It’s great for beginners who want quick fixes to common problems. The course description even claims the course could be useful for help desk administrators and tech support personnel, despite being beginner level.

This is one of the more expensive courses on our list because the Udemy courses often go on sale. While there is a lot of great information in this course, a lot of it can be considered basic.

If you don’t know much at all about computers, then the price could be worth it. However, if you already have somewhat of a foundation and are hoping to get more in-depth knowledge, then the price may seem hefty; while you are likely to learn a thing or two, you might already know some of what is taught in the course.

Pros

  • Creates a foundation of understanding about how PCs work
  • Provides explanations of different types of hardware
  • Offers troubleshooting advice for common PC problems

Cons

  • Somewhat expensive
  • Doesn’t provide advice on how to handle viruses


3. Learn How to Fix WiFi, Computer, and Networking Problems!

  • 2 hr $19.99 Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Teaches users how to identify and solve common PC problems, both hardware and software related
  • Goes into detail about issues relating to chargers, cables, and batteries
  • Instructor: Jeff Przybylski

Why we like it

This course teaches people how to troubleshoot the most common software, hardware, and networking problems. It also takes time to discuss problems caused by batteries, wires, and cables, which are often overlooked by other courses.

What You’ll Learn

This course focuses on common PC issues and how to solve them. You’ll learn how to identify the source of a problem and ways to fix it. Both software and hardware issues will be addressed, and particular focus is given to components that most frequently cause problems, like laptop batteries.

You’ll also learn about how to solve problems with networking and WiFi connectivity. Though all of the demonstrations are done using a PC that runs Windows 10, the instructor claims that the information provided can be used in “any environment.” Furthermore, the content of this course will apply to both laptop PCs and desktop PCs.

About the Instructor

Jeff Przybylski has been working in IT for over 23 years. He runs his own business called CompuTerrors, where he helps both average users and businesses troubleshoot various PC issues.

Przybylski is a Microsoft Certified Professional and a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. He also has CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications.

Our Verdict

This is a great course for beginners as well as anyone else who has run into PC errors they didn’t know how to handle. It covers a range of errors and even takes time to focus on issues one might have with batteries or cables. However, it doesn’t spend any time on how to handle problems with connected devices like monitors or printers.

It also may not be the best course for visual learners. Much of the information presented in the instructional video is done via bullet-pointed text, and the course could use more pictorial examples.

Because it’s on Udemy, this course is often discounted. However, even the full price is one of the most affordable on our list.

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Information applies to both laptops and desktops
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No information about troubleshooting connected devices
  • Course needs more visual examples


4. Clean Your Computer & Make It Run Fast – With No Cost Tools

  • 42 min $29.99 Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Learn how to remove viruses and malware from your computer
  • Find out which free tools are the best for keeping your PC clean of harmful software
  • Instructor: Joanne Reid

Why we like it

If you’ve ever struggled with viruses or malware, you won’t anymore after taking this course. You’ll learn about free tools you can use to remove malicious software from your PC and how to keep your computer safe from future attacks.

What You’ll Learn

This course is great for anyone whose computer has or is suffering from malware, viruses, and general slowness. It’ll teach you how to clean your computer for faster speeds, prevent annoying and threatening pop-ups, and remove viruses and malware.

As the course title suggests, the tools recommended to achieve all of this are free. While the information in this course will work for both laptops and desktops, the course is aimed at users running Windows 10 as their operating system.

About the Instructor

Joanne Reid has been working with computers since 1981. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

This means she is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to protection from and removal of harmful software such as viruses and malware. She also owned her own computer repair shop, where she revived “dead” computers suffering from malware attacks.

Our Verdict

If the type of computer repair you’re most interested in has to do with removing viruses and malware from your PC when they appear, then this is the course for you. There’s a lot of helpful information about cleaning up your computer and using the right antivirus protection.

We love that Reid’s approach is to use free tools to manage viruses and malware. This means there are no extra costs on top of the price of the course, and it also makes cleaning one’s computer of harmful software much more accessible.

Pros

  • Course is under an hour long
  • Instructor recommends a number of free tools for PC security
  • Fair standard price, downright cheap when on sale

Cons

  • The course is hyperfocused on viruses and malware and does not troubleshoot any other PC problems


5. CompTIA A+ Cert Prep Courses by Mike Meyers

  • Approx 15 hr 29 min Free Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Perfect for anyone interested in becoming an IT professional
  • Provides 15 hours of instruction from an industry authority for free
  • Instructor: Mike Meyers

Why we like it

This series of courses is taught by a leading authority in the industry and is incredibly in-depth. It’s great for those who want to earn CompTIA A+ certification as well as those who want to be well-learned about computers. Best of all, it’s free.

What You’ll Learn

Mike Meyers has an entire series of courses available on Linkedin Learning for those that are interested in CompTIA certification. We’re looking at the CompTIA A+ courses for our review because they cover a bit of everything in regards to computer repair.

There are eight courses in this series, most of which are between one and two hours long. Though Meyers’ series is meant to prepare prospective IT professionals for the CompTIA A+ certification exam, it has loads of helpful knowledge that anyone can take advantage of, all for free.

You’ll learn about both hardware and software, from how to build a computer to troubleshooting software issues to security. This is an incredibly in-depth course that will leave you with extensive knowledge about PC hardware, software, viruses, malware, and more. Though the course does provide some info about hardware, most of the information about troubleshooting and repair has to do with software.

Although you’ll learn a ton in this course, most of it applies to PCs using Windows operating systems, but there is some brief information about other operating systems. Meyers also has CompTIA courses about Linux available on LinkedIn Learning, and most of what is learned about Linux can be applied to macOS.

About the Instructor

When it comes to CompTIA, Mike Meyers is considered the industry’s leading authority on the matter. He is a CompTIA expert, and his company, Total Seminars, LLC, is partnered with CompTIA.

Mike is so well-known in the field that he has even been hired to teach U.S. senators, Supreme Court justices, and members of the United Nations. Despite this, he still creates courses that are accessible to everyone. His teaching style is humorous, engaging, and easy to understand.

Our Verdict

This is a fantastic course, but it may not be for everyone. It is perfect for those interested in becoming IT professionals and also helpful to anyone who wants in-depth knowledge about computers so they can do repairs on their own. Though a beginner could take this course, it’s also great for anyone who is already computer savvy but wants to deepen their knowledge base.

This series is over 15 hours long and may be overkill for someone who is just looking to learn the basics of how to change out PC parts or speed up their computer. Of course, there is value in skipping around and watching only the lessons that pertain to one’s needs.

At the end of the day, it’s a free series of courses offered by a well-known authority in the industry. There’s nothing to lose by checking it out or giving it a try and seeing if it meets your needs.

Pros

  • Instructor is a leading authority in the industry
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Free
  • Provides extensive information on a number of topics, including how to troubleshoot various issues

Cons

  • May be overwhelming for those not interested in CompTIA
  • Limited information on hardware compared to other topics discussed


6. Computer Repair & Help Desk for Beginners

  • 2 hr 6 min $59.99 Our rating  
  • Course Highlights
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Easy to understand thanks to helpful graphics
  • Great for those who are complete newbies to PCs
  • Instructor: Clea McLemore

Why we like it

If simply turning a computer on feels frustrating and confusing, then this is the course for you. It’ll teach you how to navigate a Windows 10 PC and also offers some information on speeding up a slow computer.

What You’ll Learn

This course provides the basics of the basics. It teaches you how to navigate Windows to find your files more quickly as well as how to back them up. You’ll download multiple browsers and become more familiar with various search engines. The course will also teach you how to speed up your PC using general maintenance tools.

By the end of this course, you’ll gain a better understanding of computer hardware and how it functions, as well. As you may notice, this course focuses on systems using Microsoft Windows, so the information within it will apply to any laptop or desktop PC running Windows 10.

About the Instructor

Clea McLemore has an M.S. in Instructional Technology as well as a B.S. in Information Technology Services. She owns her own IT Consulting firm. While studying for her bachelor’s, she worked in the help desk sector for businesses such as Hilton, Gateway, Dell, and Microsoft. McLemore has been working in IT for over 14 years.

Our Verdict

Even though this course has “computer repair” in the title, it isn’t really about repairing computers. Instead, it provides all of the basic knowledge you’d need to have about computers in order to take things to the next level and learn about repair (though it does offer a small bit of information that could be considered repair, such as speeding up a slow computer).

If you know absolutely nothing about computers and often find them confusing, then this would be a great starting point for you. That said, the standard price of this course is a bit expensive. Though the course does have plenty of helpful graphics, it seems overpriced considering just how basic the information is.

Luckily, Udemy often has sales, so it shouldn’t be hard to find this course at a discounted price. Once discounted, it is definitely worth it for computer newbies.

Pros

  • Easy to follow and understand
  • Teaches about both hardware and software
  • Provides information on how to speed up slow computers

Cons

  • For Windows 10 users only
  • Expensive despite providing very basic information
  • Information is more about how to use a PC than how to fix it


FAQs About Computer Repair Courses

Many people take computer repair courses in order to work toward a career in a related field. Here, we are answering some of the most frequently asked questions related to learning computer repair.

If you just want to be able to fix problems with your PCs at home, then you can learn computer repair by taking short online classes. If you’re interested in a career in computer repair, you may want to consider getting a degree. You could also check out CompTIA certification as there are many online resources available, and you wouldn’t necessarily have to go to school for this.

No, you do not need a degree to have a career in computer repair, thought having one will make you more employable. If getting a degree isn’t the right path for you, certifications like CompTIA or Microsoft certifications are recommended. Earning certifications lets both employers and clients know that you are knowledgeable about computer repair.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a computer support specialist is $55,510 per year. The median hourly pay is $26.69.

If you’re looking to have a career in IT, you can get an associate degree in about two years. CompTIA A+ certification can also help you land entry-level IT jobs and only takes about 10-12 weeks of study on average. For those uninterested in IT careers, online classes provide basic knowledge often in two hours or less.



What Is Computer Repair?

close up of blue circuitry of motherboard

We’re sure you came into this article with a good idea of what you were looking for. You might have wanted to learn what to do when a computer crashes and won’t boot up properly. Maybe you wanted to learn how to remove viruses and malware. Perhaps you’re wondering how to get a slow computer to run like new again. Or maybe you wanted to understand PC hardware and learn how to replace it.

These are all facets of computer repair. The phrase, in itself, refers to anything that can be considered maintenance. This means there’s a lot more to computer repair than just what is listed in the previous paragraph. What we listed are some of the most common issues people face but are sometimes considered basic problems in computer repair.

Computer repair is a vast category. Here are some of the other subjects that fall under the category of computer repair that you might not have previously considered.

  • Operating systems — understanding them and performing maintenance on them
  • 32-bit and 64-bit processing
  • Electricity and power protection
  • Encryption
  • PC parts — parts must be chosen wisely; it’s possible for a part to be compatible but still cause problems like bottlenecks
  • Users, groups, and permissions
  • Command line interface (CLI)
  • Scripts
  • Networking — connection, encryption, Firewall

Having a deeper understanding of what computer repair encompasses can better help you identify the perfect class for you. If you’re only looking to learn about virus cleanup and protection, then the “Clean Your Computer & Make It Run Fast” course would be perfect for you.

On the other hand, if you want to learn about every possible computer repair subject, including those in our bullet-pointed section, you should check out the free CompTIA A+ course. If you don’t want to get certified, you can always skip around in the lectures and watch only the parts that cover the subjects you want to know more about.

Now that you have a better understanding of the vast array of subjects under the computer repair umbrella let’s talk about some FAQs!

Learning Computer Repair Is Time Well Spent

Many people think that fixing a computer is over their heads. It seems confusing and complicated and like you could do more damage than good if you tried. However, the truth is that anyone can learn computer repair.

Though some aspects of computers certainly are complicated, a lot of the common issues people face, like start-up problems, viruses, and slow speeds, are things that can be fixed at home with a little bit of know-how.

Taking a course in computer repair is a great idea because you’ll be able to diagnose and fix many problems on your own. This will save you a fair bit of money, considering some repair places will charge you $100 just to do something as simple as wiping your hard drive.

Taking a computer repair course will give you a better understanding of what is wrong with your PC, even if you find you can’t fix it yourself. When you do take it to the shop, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not the technician has properly diagnosed the problem and if they’re offering a good solution and a fair price to fix it.

Computers and their software may change as the decades pass, but they certainly aren’t going anywhere. Whether you just want to fix your own devices at home or you want to become an IT professional, taking a computer repair course is a valuable use of your time and money.