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While more and more people are becoming tech-savvy and can solve simpler issues on their own, the technology world still remains a mystery for many. Just think about the times your darling computer made weird noises, voiced all kinds of complaints, or, heaven forbid, showed the giant blue error you definitely did not want to see. Then, there’s only one place to turn — tech support heroes.

However, if you think all IT specialists do is tell you to hit the restart button or help you with that "major" issue with the printer that’s not even plugged in yet, there’s a whole subreddit that might prove otherwise. Enter Tech Support Gore, a community full of the worst cases professionals ever stumbled on while on the job and clueless people they had to deal with along the way.

Laptops drying in the oven, mold growing on headphones, and impractical shortcuts customers take without a care in the world are just a few of the monstrosities that employees had to witness. So get ready to scroll through some of the most nightmarish pictures Bored Panda has collected from the group. And if you’re in the mood for some more gadget madness, take a look at our previous compilations right here, here, and here.

#1

Network Rack At A Public Institution - Before And After

Network Rack At A Public Institution - Before And After

zmeul Report

#2

User Spilt Coffee On His Laptop - So He Put It In The Oven To Dry It Out...

User Spilt Coffee On His Laptop - So He Put It In The Oven To Dry It Out...

IAteYourDogLoser Report

The Tech Support Gore subreddit has been around for quite some time. Recently, this online group celebrated its 10th birthday with all its 532K technology-loving community members. "You will cringe to the brink of passing out after a few minutes looking at this subreddit," the moderators wrote in the description and the content users post there serves as proof.

Nearly every post consists of the nastiest and most baffling incidents people somehow managed to accomplish. After all, we have the manuals, the internet, and, most importantly, our common sense for a reason, so it's easy to say they have a talent to fail this badly.

But let's face it, even if we consider ourselves to be really tech-savvy and proudly declare to know how to properly care for our gadgets, accidents still happen. Whether it’s thinking that fixing up your computer would be a cakewalk or that you suddenly came up with a brilliant new way to rescue your soaking wet device, nearly everyone could end up being shamed on this subreddit.

#4

Panel Fed From B Phase

Panel Fed From B Phase

coyote_den Report

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#5

One Of My Users Asked If I Had A New Power Strip They Could Use. I Said What's Wrong With The Old One

One Of My Users Asked If I Had A New Power Strip They Could Use. I Said What's Wrong With The Old One

HackerBill Report

However, many pictures from this list prove how incompatible with technology some people are. But if the first thought that crossed your mind was that the older generations are probably responsible for such nightmarish slip-ups, recent research seems to indicate they’re not as technologically illiterate as many might believe.

According to Pew Research Center, while there are still notable differences between American adults under 30 and those 65 and older, tech use by those in the oldest age group has grown significantly compared to a decade ago. So as it turns out, the gap between the oldest and youngest adults has shrunk.

Researchers conducted a survey in 2021 by questioning over 1.5K adults by cellphone and landline phone. The results showed that 96 percent of those ages 18 to 29 own a smartphone compared with 61 percent of those 65 and older. So while it’s still a 35 percent difference, the gap has decreased from 53 points in 2012.

#8

Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions

Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions

joh0115 Report

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Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be really angry if an alleged repair guy did this to my computer. I'd be expecting a new laptop from him. Oh, and by the way, that computer repair shop needs a new repair guy.

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#9

All Our Datacenter Equipment Started Firing Off Temperature Alerts. Unrelated, Our Cleaning Staff Was Doing A Deep Cleaning Of Our Datacenter After A Flood

All Our Datacenter Equipment Started Firing Off Temperature Alerts. Unrelated, Our Cleaning Staff Was Doing A Deep Cleaning Of Our Datacenter After A Flood

stone500 Report

Smartphones aren’t the only piece of tech that old people are quickly starting to embrace. However, the situation with tablet computers is somewhat different. Those aged 30 to 49 were the most likely people to own one, and the ones aged 65 and older were the least likely to have a tablet.

When it comes to our beloved internet use, virtually all younger adults (99 percent!) now say they use the internet. Compared with the older generation, only 75 percent of participants reported being internet users. However, things were quite different in 2000. Then, the gap between the oldest and youngest groups of adults was 56 percentage points, and right now it has decreased to 24 points. So while not everyone was born into electronics, more and more people are leaning toward it. After all, it makes life better and generally more convenient.

#10

Customer States They Saw "A Couple Of Ants" Entering The Rear Vents Of Their iMac...

Customer States They Saw "A Couple Of Ants" Entering The Rear Vents Of Their iMac...

Sydnxt Report

#12

Laptop Keyboard Is Not Working. Well There's Your Problem, Your Keyboard Is Creating New Antibiotics

Laptop Keyboard Is Not Working. Well There's Your Problem, Your Keyboard Is Creating New Antibiotics

drempire Report

#13

Disk Fragmentation At 15%...

Disk Fragmentation At 15%...

bubonis Report

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dundun avatar
DUN DUN
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone mistook it for cheese and shredded it. The only logical explanation.

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Bored Panda previously reached out to one of the moderators of the Tech Support Gore subreddit, Coffeechipmunk, who revealed that the most popular posts are those that depict situations just moments away from exploding. "[It's] very dangerous, but very cool looking. They probably get so big because people post the pics and you think, 'Wow, that's just a bomb at that point.'"

"A lot of the content on the subreddit does rather well, except for people coming for actual tech support, they get redirected to the right subreddit. For actual tech support gore, though, it seems like broken screens and slightly messy wires are the current posts that don't hit too hard," the moderator added.

#16

My Gfs iPhone Charger Cable Which She Won’t Replace Because “It Works”

My Gfs iPhone Charger Cable Which She Won’t Replace Because “It Works”

SR_RSMITH Report

#17

If It Looks Stupid But It Works, Then It's Not Stupid

If It Looks Stupid But It Works, Then It's Not Stupid

Andri753 Report

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glenellyn2 avatar
Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wait until some heat melts that fork all over the computer's guts. 😬 It won't be pretty.

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According to Coffeechipmunk, one reason their online group got so popular is simply that "it’s very fun". "In a time where most of the internet can be incredibly serious and most times saddening or angering, r/techsupportgore is fun because you go on it and you can laugh (and/or cringe) at the crazy posts. Where else can you see a post like, "Wow, these cables really are messy" to, "A lizard fried my motherboard" back to back? I love our growing community. They're a bunch of people that just enjoy tech and to some extent, the worst of it."

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#18

Tablet Battery

Tablet Battery

luisbaker_ Report

#19

Trying To Take The Elevator At 5am Then I See This. (No Out Of Order Sign)

Trying To Take The Elevator At 5am Then I See This. (No Out Of Order Sign)

TheNaziHelicopter Report

#20

Only On Ebay. Graphics Cards Displayed On Outdoor, Damp, Gravel

Only On Ebay. Graphics Cards Displayed On Outdoor, Damp, Gravel

intercake Report

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UDERSERVELOVE!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me:* Continuously smacking face on table* My friend: Are you okay Me:* shows photo * My friend:* joins me *

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#21

I Am Literally Scared Taking Apart Cr*p Like This. Used A 45 Lb Kettle Bell To Keep The Panel Down Enough To Remove The Screws

I Am Literally Scared Taking Apart Cr*p Like This. Used A 45 Lb Kettle Bell To Keep The Panel Down Enough To Remove The Screws

FraggedYourMom Report

The mod explained that the term "Tech Support Gore" refers to "stuff in the tech support or IT field that's a computer comparable version of gore," and added, "Instead of a heart ripped out, it's CPU pins. Slightly less awful." Coffeechipmunk also revealed that the most horrible cases they’ve seen on the community while moderating were "anything with bugs in it. That's the worst.” Well, we couldn’t agree more. As you probably already noticed from this list, they’re truly awful.

#22

Just Posting This...

Just Posting This...

TrixeTec Report

#24

Yes That's On The Inside Of The Glass

Yes That's On The Inside Of The Glass

juliaphoenix Report

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#26

That's Always A Fun One To Clean, Isn't It

That's Always A Fun One To Clean, Isn't It

tank_the_boss Report

#27

My Buddy Couldn't Get Into His Harddrive Through The Os, So He Decided To Brute Force It

My Buddy Couldn't Get Into His Harddrive Through The Os, So He Decided To Brute Force It

kalez238 Report

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listy avatar
GenericPanda09
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're take stuff apart out of curiosity, get the proper tools for the job. (To be clear, this should not be done with functioning hard drives as they are hermetically sealed for a good reason - but with an old bust one it's worth opening one up just so you can learn and understand how they work like the drive arm and platters... and the very tight tolerances between them)

meghanhibicke avatar
Evil Little Thing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. A screwdriver would have taken that casing off in a minute. Also just a technicality- hard drives aren't hermetically sealed. They are put in metal cases to prevent damage from debris, not airtight.

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason harddrives are sealed is because they are usually filled with inert gases and react very badly to getting dust inside them. If you think you have to open a HDD, it is likely dead beyond anything you are able to recover yourself.

sawdust99 avatar
Sawdust
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to securely shred the HD platters, you gotta get 'em out first...

bobbruce avatar
charlesbosse avatar
Phyzzi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have salvaged enough HDD magnets to say with some authority that this is still far from the optimal way to do that.

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Craig Reynolds
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be sure to run that disk platter through your paper shredder like the moron in #9 above.

jamalconaba avatar
Jelo Alconaba
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we do this to really broken hard drive for educational purpose. I was a computer tech. to demonstrate what the inside of an hdd looks like and how it works. But we don't destroy the whole drive.

gzoontjens avatar
GPZ
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does this friend need to take his shoes and socks off to count to 20?

oceanblue513 avatar
Znaya
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brute force and ignorance, that's what my ex-husband use to say was the way to fix anything 😀

kenhorkavy avatar
Ken Horkavy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it's gone. Everything you invested in that drive is gone

raylangivens avatar
Raylan Givens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Porn? On *MY* hard drive? Nope....and you can't prove otherwise.

eleonorketchersid avatar
Eleonor Ketchersid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well that a different way to get i a hard-drive but hope he have a new one or money for one

gladyshayessoutherland avatar
charlesbosse avatar
Phyzzi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Noooo, construction does not want these people. Also, pretty sure no one who actually fixes computers would do this.

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Ethan Jimenez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm no expert, but I don't think that's what you're supposed to do

dlhrston avatar
David Henry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just HEAR the cursing that went into this. "I swear to f*****g GOD I'll sardine can your Mr. Roboto ass, hard drive!!!"

amydoyle avatar
Amy Doyle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think your buddy needs to go back to school for some classes in common sense 😂

ussafs3 avatar
Ernie Tabuena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the guy I knew who used a knife to pry a stuck CD out of a car stereo. Spoiler Alert: CD player no longer worked.

emmettobrian avatar
Emmett O'Brian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PEBCAC. I have to teach new IT techs this acronym all the time. Problem exists between computer and chair.

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#28

Found This Mummified Dualshock4 At Work, Anyone Knows Which God Of Egypt Used To Play With This?

Found This Mummified Dualshock4 At Work, Anyone Knows Which God Of Egypt Used To Play With This?

Svetimsalis Report

#29

The Joys Of Being It Support At A Construction Company(This iPad Was In A Protective Case)

The Joys Of Being It Support At A Construction Company(This iPad Was In A Protective Case)

EnderHawkeye Report

#30

Client: "It Was Working Perfectly Fine Yesterday, Probably A Windows Bug"

Client: "It Was Working Perfectly Fine Yesterday, Probably A Windows Bug"

Eviljim12345 Report

#31

Placed A Headset I Wasn't Using Into A Drawer For A Few Months. I Guess The Cup Material Kept Absorbing The Moisture Out Of The Air

Placed A Headset I Wasn't Using Into A Drawer For A Few Months. I Guess The Cup Material Kept Absorbing The Moisture Out Of The Air

SwGustav Report

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#35

Customer Claims Nobody Ever Worked On His 2012 Imac, That This Is How It Came When He Bought It From Apple

Customer Claims Nobody Ever Worked On His 2012 Imac, That This Is How It Came When He Bought It From Apple

bubonis Report

#36

Was Looking For Old PC Parts And Found This

Was Looking For Old PC Parts And Found This

my-sims-are-slobs Report

#39

Windows Be Like " Should Have Gone For The Head" Reported As "It Was Making A Burning Smell So I Threw It Out The Window" Joys With Working From Home And Providing It Support

Windows Be Like " Should Have Gone For The Head" Reported As "It Was Making A Burning Smell So I Threw It Out The Window" Joys With Working From Home And Providing It Support

BlueishMeteor Report

#40

This Folks Is Why You Don't Leave Batteries In Electronic Equipment

This Folks Is Why You Don't Leave Batteries In Electronic Equipment

frogmicky Report

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Tom Hanlin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go on. What kind of "electronic equipment" uses six AA cells? What the heck was that?

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#41

Customer Tried To Fix A Connector For A High Power Studio Flash By Soldering The Wires Himself

Customer Tried To Fix A Connector For A High Power Studio Flash By Soldering The Wires Himself

PRiMEFiL Report

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Teh Weh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg... a studio flash has enough stored power to easily kill you twice over. This is absolutely terrifying.

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#42

Mild Gore/Spicy Pillowness From Yet Another 7490. Thank You Dell!

Mild Gore/Spicy Pillowness From Yet Another 7490. Thank You Dell!

Rariity Report

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#45

May I Present, My Gtx580

May I Present, My Gtx580

pPandR Report

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.