What is the first step in the troubleshooting process?

The first step in the troubleshooting process is to verify the problem. This stage is crucial because it involves confirming that an issue actually exists and understanding its nature and scope. By verifying the problem, a technician gathers essential information that can help pinpoint the root cause of the issue. This step prevents unnecessary assumptions and guides the technician to approach the problem systematically.

Identifying potential solutions comes after establishing the exact nature of the problem, as addressing the issue without a clear understanding could lead to ineffective or misguided attempts at resolution. Testing the solution is a subsequent step that involves implementing and assessing whether the proposed fix resolves the identified issue. Lastly, documenting findings is essential for future reference and helps improve the troubleshooting process, but it occurs at the end of the process, after the problem has been verified and addressed.