15 Common IT Issues Singapore Businesses Face (And How to Resolve Them)

In the fast-paced Singapore business environment, technical glitches can bring productivity to a standstill. Whether you are a small SME or a large institution, understanding these common hurdles is the first step toward a seamless digital workflow.

At MLSI, we've documented the most frequent challenges our clients face and the proven solutions we use to keep their operations running smoothly.

Hardware & Peripheral Challenges

1. Laptop Camera Failures
We often see reports of laptop cameras suddenly stopping. While we check software and device managers first, hardware tests sometimes reveal the camera is simply not detected.

The Fix: If the device is out of warranty, we generally recommend a replacement rather than a repair. Hardware failure often spreads to other components over time; unless it is a high-performance machine, investing in a new unit is the more cost-effective choice.

2. Startup & Bootloader Problems
A machine that won't start is a critical priority. While remote workarounds are attempted first, some issues require an engineer to be deployed onsite.

The Fix: In many cases, the culprit is a bootloader issue. Our engineers perform a bootloader repair to restore the machine to full functionality.

3. Faulty Secondary Monitors
Dual-monitor setups are standard in Singapore offices, but they are prone to hardware failure.

The Fix: If an onsite inspection confirms a hardware fault, we provide a spare monitor immediately to minimize downtime while the faulty unit is decommissioned.

4. Specialized Equipment: Classroom Visualizers & Sound
For the schools we maintain, specific classroom tech like visualizers or audio systems often fail.

The Fix: For visualizers, we reinstall drivers and secure all physical connectors. For audio issues, we often find detached wiring that needs to be patched and re-tested.

Software & Application Troubleshooting

5. Adobe Reader Launch Issues
Users often find that Adobe Reader refuses to open when needed.

The Fix: We resolve this by remotely ending all active Adobe processes and relaunching the application.

6. Microsoft Teams Login Failures
A common frustration is the Microsoft 365 login page failing to load within Teams.

The Fix: This is a known issue that we resolve by performing a specific registry tweak, allowing the user to log in immediately.

7. File Explorer Interface Glitches
Sometimes, simple interface elements—like the status bar—go missing, causing confusion for the user.

The Fix: We remote in to re-enable the status bar settings for the user.

8. Language Display Errors
In multi-language environments, issues like Chinese text not displaying correctly (specifically in WH7) can occur.

The Fix: If font installations and software updates fail, a full reformat to the latest Windows Update version is often the only way to ensure the software displays text correctly.

Connectivity & Security Management

9. SharePoint Access & Permissions
"Access Denied" is a frequent report for SharePoint users.

The Fix: We verify the permission list and coordinate directly with the person-in-charge or the user's supervisor to ensure the correct rights are assigned.

10. Firewall Whitelisting
Productivity can be halted when a necessary work website is blacklisted by the company firewall.

The Fix: After obtaining the necessary internal permissions, we whitelist the URL to allow the user to proceed with their work.

11. VPN Conflicts with Professional Software
Specific platforms, such as CME Direct, may fail to log in due to hidden conflicts.

The Fix: By analyzing CME logs and escalating to vendors, we've found that active VPN connections can block these logins. Disabling the VPN typically resolves the fault.

12. Email "Bounce Back" Errors
Users often receive "undeliverable" notifications for their emails.

The Fix: Most often, this is caused by a simple typo in the recipient's address. We investigate the bounce-back reason and advise the user accordingly.

Infrastructure & Data Integrity

13. Low Disk Space Management
System performance drops significantly when disk space is low.

The Fix: We help users clear unnecessary personal files and move critical work data onto OneDrive. This not only frees up space but prevents data loss.

14. NAS Backup Certificate Errors
Backups are the backbone of recovery, but error logs can indicate a failure in secondary backups.

The Fix: These are often caused by certificate errors. We re-establish the connection and monitor the backup logs for a full week to ensure the system remains stable.

Need Reliable IT Support in Singapore?

Don't let tech issues slow your business down. From remote troubleshooting to onsite engineering, MLSI provides comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs.

Explore our IT Support Services in Singapore and see how we can keep your business connected.