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Not everyone was born Steve Jobs. In a world ruled by technology and social media, many people find themselves struggling to keep up with increasingly elaborate electronics. The elderly are taking tips from their “tech-savvy kids,” and our moms are figuring out how to upload Instagram stories, which is both a bless… I mean, a curse, really.

But hey, who am I to judge when there are still some people who are so clueless about seemingly basic tech things like chargers, ad blockers, and electric kettles? Bored Panda has compiled a painfully cringy list of some of the most absurd fails in the land of electronics that will make tech ed classics great again.

After you're done reading this post, be sure to check out our previous lists with the worst software fails, older people struggling with technology, and tech support people sharing the nightmare fails they've encountered.

#1

“The Printer Isn’t Working”

“The Printer Isn’t Working”

MirrorlikeTent Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technician: Problem in paper transport from paper tray due to loading paper in a non-standard way. Repair costs: $250.

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#2

This Is How My Auntie Blocks Ads From Her Computer Screen

This Is How My Auntie Blocks Ads From Her Computer Screen

itswallsss Report

#3

Oh, Dear, Dad Tried To Print A Video

Oh, Dear, Dad Tried To Print A Video

Tom_Sawyerer Report

With so many people still struggling with technology and electronics that have all become part of our daily lives in recent decades, we can’t help but wonder what went wrong. Should we blame technology education classes nobody looked at seriously? Or is it really a lack of patience when it comes to learning new things? Maybe society itself has left out the older generation, which has become separated due to its failure to employ new technological modes of communication and life?

Experts have many reasons for the phenomenon, but most agree that by creating innovation and pushing tech to its very potential, we have created new problems on the way. For example, Larry Masinter, an internet pioneer, said: “Technology and social innovation intended to overcome the negatives of the digital age will likely cause additional negative consequences. Examples include: the decentralized web, end-to-end encryption, AI and machine learning, social media.”

Meanwhile, Peter Lunenfeld, a professor of design, media arts, and digital humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles, predicts that solutions to these newly emerged problems will create new issues, and we may end up in a vicious loop. “We will use technology to solve the problems the use of technology creates, but the new fixes will bring new issues,” he stated.

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#4

End User Had A Heater Next To The PC Which Was Randomly Shutting Off And She Thought She Had Smelled Burning A Couple Of Times. It Is Literally Screaming

End User Had A Heater Next To The PC Which Was Randomly Shutting Off And She Thought She Had Smelled Burning A Couple Of Times. It Is Literally Screaming

Dragon_Khan Report

#5

My Girlfriend's Grandma Thought The iPad Was A Cutting Board

My Girlfriend's Grandma Thought The iPad Was A Cutting Board

IonnaTrailer Report

#6

Technologically Superior

Technologically Superior

minidude22 Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy s**t balls, I decided to count how many tabs I have open and I am up to 94. How the hell did I manage that lol.

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According to the chief technology officer of RAD Data Communications, Yaakov J. Stein, the problem lays in our total dependence on the tech world. “The problem is that we are becoming more and more dependent on machines and hence more susceptible to bugs and system failures.”

There are other things inherently flawed in technological advancements, and it has to do with concerning amounts of their exploitation for the wrong purposes. According to a Pew Research report, “Numerous experts described misinformation and fake news as a serious issue in digital spaces. They expressed concern over how users will sort through fact and fiction in the coming decade.”

Yet, many experts believe that it's simply too late to take a step back in the tech world. Our lives have changed beyond recognition thanks to the internet and technology, in many ways for the better. It has made our time more efficient, our jobs more productive, our lives somewhat easier and more intuitive. And in accepting its good features, we may well have to accept its flaws.

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#7

Some Karen Raged Into The Apple Store And Asked For A Refund For Her iPhone 5. I Didn’t Listen To The Convo But When I Walked Past I Heard The Manager Asked Her If She Charged It, She Said No

Some Karen Raged Into The Apple Store And Asked For A Refund For Her iPhone 5. I Didn’t Listen To The Convo But When I Walked Past I Heard The Manager Asked Her If She Charged It, She Said No

LiterallyEkam Report

#8

Asked My Dad Why He Was Reading Through The Camera App On His Phone. He Said He Wanted To See What It Would Be Like If I Had A Kindle

Asked My Dad Why He Was Reading Through The Camera App On His Phone. He Said He Wanted To See What It Would Be Like If I Had A Kindle

borrow_a_feeling Report

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Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HAHAHA... that's very clever though. I think he's just checking if he would be able to read using a device instead of an actual book before buying the thing.

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#9

My Dad Says, “Google Is Doing This Stupid Thing Where The Blur The Top Left Part Of The Results. Facebook Is Doing It Too Actually.” He Melted The Top Left Corner Of His Screen

My Dad Says, “Google Is Doing This Stupid Thing Where The Blur The Top Left Part Of The Results. Facebook Is Doing It Too Actually.” He Melted The Top Left Corner Of His Screen

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#10

Student Uses Light On Phone To Charge Portable Solar Battery So That He Can Charge His Phone

Student Uses Light On Phone To Charge Portable Solar Battery So That He Can Charge His Phone

IKnowICantSpel Report

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... when there is a USB port literally right there on the side of the laptop!

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#11

I Decided To Upgrade To An Electric Kettle This Week, A Detail I Remembered As It Burst Into Flames On The Gas Stove

I Decided To Upgrade To An Electric Kettle This Week, A Detail I Remembered As It Burst Into Flames On The Gas Stove

notsewfast_ Report

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Jonathan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always find it so bizarre that so many Americans use stove top kettles when electric kettles are much more convenient. I'm British and can't imagine using anything other than an electric kettle! Coffee, tea, hot chocolate in an instant.

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#12

Should I Tell My Mom She's Supposed To Take The iPad Out Of The Box?

Should I Tell My Mom She's Supposed To Take The iPad Out Of The Box?

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#13

I Set Up A Lock Screen App That Takes A Photo If You Put The Password In Wrong Trying To Catch My Daughter On My Phone. I've Only Caught Myself So Far Mostly First Thing In The Morning

I Set Up A Lock Screen App That Takes A Photo If You Put The Password In Wrong Trying To Catch My Daughter On My Phone. I've Only Caught Myself So Far Mostly First Thing In The Morning

jrminoh Report

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N G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, radical thought, maybe your daughter isn't using your phone? (Or she knows your password better than you do - better get her to unlock it in the mornings!)

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#14

I Couldn’t Find My Phone But It Was Connected To The Bluetooth So I Figured It Was Somewhere In... Or Out Of The Car

I Couldn’t Find My Phone But It Was Connected To The Bluetooth So I Figured It Was Somewhere In... Or Out Of The Car

schelie Report

#15

iPhone X That Came Into The Shop Today. Customer Said “I’ve Never Dropped It In Water”

iPhone X That Came Into The Shop Today. Customer Said “I’ve Never Dropped It In Water”

Lt_Pineapples_ Report

#16

My Dad's Way Of Transferring Pictures

My Dad's Way Of Transferring Pictures

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#17

Saw My Mom's Phone, And Investigated. She Used The Screen Protector's Throwaway Film Instead Of The Actual Screen Protector

Saw My Mom's Phone, And Investigated. She Used The Screen Protector's Throwaway Film Instead Of The Actual Screen Protector

The_PwnShop Report

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Ivo H
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of people do this. One of my friends used the original throw-away foil despite it was covered in slogans like 'even longer battery life!' or 'more powerful than ever before' etc.

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#18

I Need Somewhere To Set This Candle. Oh Here’s A Good Spot

I Need Somewhere To Set This Candle. Oh Here’s A Good Spot

kjb0419 Report

#19

My Mother-In-Law Keeps Complaining That Her Kindle Wouldn’t Charge

My Mother-In-Law Keeps Complaining That Her Kindle Wouldn’t Charge

gumball_Jones Report

#20

Dad Accidentally Turned Off Keyboard Backlighting And Couldn’t See The Keys

Dad Accidentally Turned Off Keyboard Backlighting And Couldn’t See The Keys

silaxs Report

#21

My Professor Got Bored In Class So She Went On Facebook. She Really Didn't Seem To Notice Her Laptop Was Still Connected To The Projector

My Professor Got Bored In Class So She Went On Facebook. She Really Didn't Seem To Notice Her Laptop Was Still Connected To The Projector

dstryker120 Report

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Zlaxcat Youtube
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I was doing online school my teacher said us to get on with the work, but forgot to stop presenting her screen and started typing to some people over Messenger.

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#22

Nothing Like Pulling Out A Warm Pillow Out Of The Dryer Right Before Bedtime

Nothing Like Pulling Out A Warm Pillow Out Of The Dryer Right Before Bedtime

BlackDeathZombieSwede Report

#23

Don't Ask Me

Don't Ask Me

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Mohsie Supposie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like my marshmallows without any creases! Flat marshmallows is the way to go!

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#24

Customer Brought In This iMac For Not Powering On. This Is How He Apparently Uses It

Customer Brought In This iMac For Not Powering On. This Is How He Apparently Uses It

For further context: I'm 99% sure the customer has been running his iMac with the shipping plastic in place since 2015, including on the bottom covering the vents, as there's airflow patterns of dust and certain areas where the plastic has melted/deformed; note the scotch tape ON the plastic covering the camera.
EDIT: Just called the customer and asked/confirmed the plastic has been in place; "I guess that's why I hear the fans ramp up!" And he wants to keep the plastic in place, lol. But I got him to agree to at least let me clip the bottom portion so it no longer wraps around the vents.

raptordrew Report

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Sawdust
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One can imagine how comfortable this guy's living room furniture is.

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#25

Wondered Why One Of My Earbuds Wasn't Going In The Charging Case

Wondered Why One Of My Earbuds Wasn't Going In The Charging Case

mrspea84 Report

#26

My Sister Was Putting On Her Make Up In Front Of A Window And The Mirror She Was Using Burnt A Hole In Her Screen

My Sister Was Putting On Her Make Up In Front Of A Window And The Mirror She Was Using Burnt A Hole In Her Screen

Hucufurus Report

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok that could be an honest mistake, but I'm sure she still felt really silly!

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#27

Ripped Off What I Thought Was Protective Plastic From A New Monitor. It Was The Polarizing Film

Ripped Off What I Thought Was Protective Plastic From A New Monitor. It Was The Polarizing Film

reddit.com Report

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Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Products like these should come with a warning stuck on the screen. This can happen to anyone as evidenced by MKBHD and other tech youtubers pealing off what they thought was a protective film on a Samsung fold device... killed the device

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#28

I Was Really Pleased To Find That My Left-Behind Charger Had Arrived In The Mail. Because I Am My Own Worst Enemy, I Hastily Opened The Package With Scissors

I Was Really Pleased To Find That My Left-Behind Charger Had Arrived In The Mail. Because I Am My Own Worst Enemy, I Hastily Opened The Package With Scissors

toolsoftheincomptnt Report

#29

My Dad Photocopied His Phone To Use A Money Off Voucher

My Dad Photocopied His Phone To Use A Money Off Voucher

O_mo_chreach Report

#30

Candle Was Super Fragrant Last Night. Now I Know Why

Candle Was Super Fragrant Last Night. Now I Know Why

TomSF Report

#31

Customer Came In With His iPhone, His Glass Cracked, He Thought He Could Peel Off The Glass So He Wouldn't Notice The Crack Anymore

Customer Came In With His iPhone, His Glass Cracked, He Thought He Could Peel Off The Glass So He Wouldn't Notice The Crack Anymore

Ferbel Report

#32

Found Out My Toaster Can Work As A Timer, Even When Not Plugged In. Now I Have To Wait Another 20 Minutes To Find Out How Good These Fish Sticks Are

Found Out My Toaster Can Work As A Timer, Even When Not Plugged In. Now I Have To Wait Another 20 Minutes To Find Out How Good These Fish Sticks Are

zxvegasxz Report

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Manual timers tend to be spring loaded, not electrical. Just like a wind-up clock.

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#33

"But I Like It This Way, It's Convenient" - My Tech Savvy Aunt

"But I Like It This Way, It's Convenient" - My Tech Savvy Aunt

Lordalphax Report

#34

Thermostat Had Hardly Worked All Winter, A Friend Suggested I Open It And Look For A Switch

Thermostat Had Hardly Worked All Winter, A Friend Suggested I Open It And Look For A Switch

bath-tub Report

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This really is a slip only, not a lack of understanding as in most other pictures here. Very annoying, though.

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#36

Obviously Scatterbrained Today, I Put A Laundry Detergent Pod In The Dishwasher

Obviously Scatterbrained Today, I Put A Laundry Detergent Pod In The Dishwasher

uglypatty Report

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Mohsie Supposie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can make up for it by putting a dishwasher tab in the laundry. Job done!

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#37

Brother Couldn’t Figure Out Why His Wi-Fi Signal Was Terrible

Brother Couldn’t Figure Out Why His Wi-Fi Signal Was Terrible

Nostrom01 Report

#38

Just Found Out Why My Mom's Laptop Wasn’t Charging

Just Found Out Why My Mom's Laptop Wasn’t Charging

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#39

Broken Clip? No Problem

Broken Clip? No Problem

SmoothToast Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And next they'll complain that their network connection is so effing slow.

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#40

If You Spill Acetone On Your Table, Make Sure You Clean It All Up

If You Spill Acetone On Your Table, Make Sure You Clean It All Up

DivineBanana Report

#41

"It's Hard To Hear People Unless I'm On Speakerphone"

"It's Hard To Hear People Unless I'm On Speakerphone"

sdyar Report

#42

My Mom Using A Magnifying Glass To See My Phone Better. Love Her To Death But She's Not The Best With Technology

My Mom Using A Magnifying Glass To See My Phone Better. Love Her To Death But She's Not The Best With Technology

always_heer Report

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로희
Community Member
3 years ago

I think this looks adorable. Puts a smile on my face.

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#43

Girlfriend Turned The New Iron On Without Checking The Bottom. She Turned It Into A Boiling Plastic Spreader

Girlfriend Turned The New Iron On Without Checking The Bottom. She Turned It Into A Boiling Plastic Spreader

reddit.com Report

#44

Spent 10 Minutes Looking For The Drip Tray For The Forman Grill, After I Turned It On

Spent 10 Minutes Looking For The Drip Tray For The Forman Grill, After I Turned It On

Kimritto Report

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#45

I Can’t Figure Out How To Get On To Netflix

I Can’t Figure Out How To Get On To Netflix

Nancy_Groves Report

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Henry Cheves
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey I have that remote! You can also press the button between Netflix and Amazon to show you your entire array of apps.

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#46

My Sister Unplugged My 3D Printer With Only A Few Layers Left On This 20 Hour Print

My Sister Unplugged My 3D Printer With Only A Few Layers Left On This 20 Hour Print

Half_Smashed_Face Report

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bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You didn't have a sign "Do not disconnect this plug"? ( Wouldn't have changed a thing though...)

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#47

My Wife Washed My USB Drive Because It Was "Sticky"

My Wife Washed My USB Drive Because It Was "Sticky"

notw86 Report

#48

My Mom Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot So She Improvised With The Scanner

My Mom Didn't Know How To Take A Screenshot So She Improvised With The Scanner

mcgray Report

#49

My Dad Didn’t Realize You Could Screen Record Videos

My Dad Didn’t Realize You Could Screen Record Videos

scoliosisissad Report

#50

iPhone 12 Pro Cracked In Under 6 Hours Of Owning

iPhone 12 Pro Cracked In Under 6 Hours Of Owning

suprenaut Report

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Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are designed to crack! How else would they get you to buy over-priced accessories and a new phone after 6 months or one year?

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Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.