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How you look after your work tools can tell everyone a lot about you as a person, your character, and your values. In the Digital Age, that usually means your personal computer, laptop, or smartphone. The reality is that most people simply don’t take good enough care of their devices. And who’s left to pick up the pieces? Tech support workers!

Our team here at Bored Panda has collected the best posts of all time, as shared on the massively popular ‘Tech Support Gore’ subreddit. The online group is a niche for tech support workers to share the worst things they’ve ever seen on the job, and some of their experiences are truly mind-boggling. Scroll down to see what horrors they’ve had to face!

#1

Ticket Said "Camera Flickers To Fuzzy Brown Image Often"

Ticket Said "Camera Flickers To Fuzzy Brown Image Often"

reddit.com Report

#2

4 Hrs Later

4 Hrs Later

techsupportgore Report

#3

Ancient Temple Of Asus

Ancient Temple Of Asus

3 years ago Report

"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,” one of the subreddit’s moderators told one of our colleagues at Bored Panda previously.

“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.”

#4

Told A User To Shutdown Their Virus Infected Computer And Ship It Back And To Label It As Infected. They Did Good

Told A User To Shutdown Their Virus Infected Computer And Ship It Back And To Label It As Infected. They Did Good

reddit.com Report

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#5

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

#6

Quality Repost Here. (I Assume This Has Been Posted Before)

Quality Repost Here. (I Assume This Has Been Posted Before)

imgur.com Report

The r/techsupportgore subreddit was first created a whopping 12 years ago, way back in 2012.

Over more than a decade, the community has grown to 622k members from all around the globe. It’s mainly composed of tech and IT workers, as well as anyone with a penchant for tech-related comedy and horrors.

#7

The Computer Keeps Overheating

The Computer Keeps Overheating

-Dastardly- Report

#8

First Day On Job; Set Up Those 4 Wireless Speakers For You

First Day On Job; Set Up Those 4 Wireless Speakers For You

reddit.com Report

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#9

I Can't Even

I Can't Even

reddit.com Report

Some of us might not care how computers work as long as they do, but we enjoy poking fun at someone who doesn’t take care of their device. But the more familiar you are with IT and its culture, the more painful looking at some of these photos is bound to be.

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If you’re any kind of creative or craftsperson, it hurts watching someone disrespect your work tools, whether they’re computers, paintbrushes, or musical instruments.

#10

“The Printer Isn’t Working”

“The Printer Isn’t Working”

reddit.com Report

#11

Look How They Murdered My Boy

Look How They Murdered My Boy

flamewingdragon Report

#12

Mouse

Mouse

reddit.com Report

The team managing the entire community behind the scenes describes the sub as a place that will make you “cringe to the brink of passing out after a few minutes.” According to the moderators, something to keep in mind is that the online group isn’t meant to help people sort out their tech support issues.

The moderators urge you to try reaching out to the r/techsupport subreddit (a separate community) if you need some actual help with your tech. Meanwhile, if you plan on posting on r/techsupportgore, make sure that you don’t post pics of cracked screens or computers coated in dust. Both of these situations are so common that they’re usually not worth sharing. Well, unless things look really atrocious!

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#13

"My PC Shut Off Suddenly And Won't Turn Back On"

"My PC Shut Off Suddenly And Won't Turn Back On"

reddit.com Report

#14

So Mac Doesnt Support Windows But Atleast It Supports Doors

So Mac Doesnt Support Windows But Atleast It Supports Doors

BateauSai Report

#15

Hospital Server Room

Hospital Server Room

reddit.com Report

The subreddit isn’t just home to photos, though. Videos are welcome, too. However, the moderators urge all of the community members to focus on short-format clips. That means that the videos should not be longer than 30 seconds. According to the mods, “This is plenty of time to show what needs to be shown.”

#16

Customer Describes A “Slight” Burning Smell

Customer Describes A “Slight” Burning Smell

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pink kitty
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they were sick of all the emails that kept coming through so put it into the oven next to the phone

Boredest Panda
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they're nose blind. Maybe their used to burning tech. I mean, if you're gonna treat your tech like that, you're probably irresponsivle enough to do it multipe times.

Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Entirely possible it had a slight burning smell when the customer sent it/dropped it off. Then the spicy pillow did the thing. Or customer was absurd, both are just as likely.

Highball
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? Was it his neighbor's computer? Then again, I'd like to take a blow torch, or maybe an axe to mine. It wouldn't work any worse.

Riley Quinn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a poor sense of smell, but even I wouldn't classify this as a "slight" burning smell.

Anonymous
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

who attacked this computer, it looks like someone tore off peices of it

Danish Susanne
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must have had Covid recently to describe it as slightly burning smell.

laura lee
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Battery overheated while not in use it seems. Left plugged in?

Comedy Clumbers
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But... isn't the battery on the back on this model? It burned but the battery stayed out of it‽ Did they set it on a grill or something?

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#17

"My Fan Was Making Too Much Noise!"

"My Fan Was Making Too Much Noise!"

reddit.com Report

#18

I Should Tell Them It's Not A Touch Screen

I Should Tell Them It's Not A Touch Screen

reddit.com Report

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Tech support, at its core, means solving all kinds of problems related to tech products or services. These workers essentially fix, manage, and maintain various IT systems. It’s an essential job, especially when computers and IT systems are so ubiquitous.

Most often, this support is provided to customers via phone or chat. However, there are times when the customer meets the support staff in person. Say, when they bring in their laptop or phone for fixing. Or if they have issues with their hardware or software at the office.

#19

Is This The Worst Spaghetti Cabling Ever?

Is This The Worst Spaghetti Cabling Ever?

starsky Report

#20

Forbidden Caprisun

Forbidden Caprisun

Robert694n Report

#21

One Of My Co-Workers Was Eager To Unpack Her New Mouse

One Of My Co-Workers Was Eager To Unpack Her New Mouse

reddit.com Report

Tech support workers earn an average of $21.55 per hour in the United States. That amounts to roughly $56,572 per year, according to Indeed. Of course, this is just the average. Some companies, for instance, ‘Oracle,’ pay their tech support employees around $83,614 per year, while the average wage at ‘Novogene Corporation’ clocks in at $69,020.

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#22

This Key After 10 Years Of Entering Orders At My Grandmothers Shop

This Key After 10 Years Of Entering Orders At My Grandmothers Shop

techsupportgore Report

#23

Apparently Someone Got Tired Of It Ringing, So The Put It In The Oven

Apparently Someone Got Tired Of It Ringing, So The Put It In The Oven

techsupportgore Report

#24

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!

reddit.com Report

The most highly paid tech support employees in the US live in Houston, Texas (they earn an average of $62,425 per year), Boston, Massachusetts ($61,937 per year), and Nashville, Tennessee ($61,230 per year).

Workers based in Orlando, Florida, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada, earn slightly less than the US average. Meanwhile, tech support staff also get paid far less, on average, if they’re based in Austin, Texas ($54,045 per year), compared to Houston.

#25

German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

techsupportgore Report

#26

When They Get Creative With The Only Working Audio Output They Have

When They Get Creative With The Only Working Audio Output They Have

reddit.com Report

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#27

I Found This While Scrolling Through My Camera Roll From 2018, Enjoy

I Found This While Scrolling Through My Camera Roll From 2018, Enjoy

Ascaban Report

What is the worst thing that’s ever happened to your computer, phone, or other device, Pandas? Have you ever worked in tech support or asked for help from someone in that line of work? Have you ever had to deal with clients who took awful care of their devices? What’s the best and worst experience you’ve had with support staff?

We’d like to hear what you have to say. Swing on by the comments if you have a moment.

#28

I Said "Put It In Rice." Not "Put Rice In It"

I Said "Put It In Rice." Not "Put Rice In It"

techsupportgore Report

#29

“My Space Heater Stopped Working”

“My Space Heater Stopped Working”

reddit.com Report

#30

Just Set It On Fire

Just Set It On Fire

techsupportgore Report

#31

Printer From Hell

Printer From Hell

UsablePizza Report

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#32

Customer States "Our Intercom At The Gate Doesn't Work" Meanwhile In The Connections Box

Customer States "Our Intercom At The Gate Doesn't Work" Meanwhile In The Connections Box

trdsc7797 Report

#33

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

smarthawk Report

#34

“There’s Something Wrong With The Printer In The Lab...”

“There’s Something Wrong With The Printer In The Lab...”

techsupportgore Report

#35

Slpt: Laptop Charger Panini Press

Slpt: Laptop Charger Panini Press

voiping Report

#36

Improvised Way To Supply Power

Improvised Way To Supply Power

reddit.com Report

#37

Pretty

Pretty

Son0fSun Report

#38

This Must Be The Work Of A Madman

This Must Be The Work Of A Madman

reddit.com Report

#39

Dont Use Lemonade To Clean Your Mouse. I Thought The Acidity Would Clean Off The Buildup Of Crumbs And Cheeto Grease But It Just Attracted These Ants. I Left Home For 2 Days, Just To See This On My Desk

Dont Use Lemonade To Clean Your Mouse. I Thought The Acidity Would Clean Off The Buildup Of Crumbs And Cheeto Grease But It Just Attracted These Ants. I Left Home For 2 Days, Just To See This On My Desk

reddit.com Report

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#40

Ps5 In For Hdmi Replacement. Kid Said “I Pushed The Cable In A Little Too Hard”

Ps5 In For Hdmi Replacement. Kid Said “I Pushed The Cable In A Little Too Hard”

cdq1985 Report

#41

Wondering The Story Behind This

Wondering The Story Behind This

FinishedToxicity Report

#42

I Think My Psu Has Some Kind Of Error

I Think My Psu Has Some Kind Of Error

the123king-reddit Report

#43

Broken Clip? No Problem!

Broken Clip? No Problem!

techsupportgore Report

#44

"You Can Fix Your Sisters Phone Right? It Gets Hot Sometimes And Turns Itself Off A Lot". "What's That Smell?" Battery Acid. Literally Battery Acid

"You Can Fix Your Sisters Phone Right? It Gets Hot Sometimes And Turns Itself Off A Lot". "What's That Smell?" Battery Acid. Literally Battery Acid

techsupportgore Report

#45

User Calls About Disc Being Stuck In Another Computer, Mentions Off Hand About This Laptop. They Had Been Using And Charging It Like This For Weeks

User Calls About Disc Being Stuck In Another Computer, Mentions Off Hand About This Laptop. They Had Been Using And Charging It Like This For Weeks

techsupportgore Report

#46

Go Check The Switch Closet. We Think Something Might Have Gotten Unplugged Somewhere

Go Check The Switch Closet. We Think Something Might Have Gotten Unplugged Somewhere

reddit.com Report

#47

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

techsupportgore Report

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#48

The Nastiest Mouse I Have Ever Seen In The Field. Make No Mistake, That Is Not Dust. That Is...uh...hand-Grease

The Nastiest Mouse I Have Ever Seen In The Field. Make No Mistake, That Is Not Dust. That Is...uh...hand-Grease

techsupportgore Report

#49

No Charger? No Problem!

No Charger? No Problem!

Sanctimonious1 Report

#50

“Can You Recover The Data?”

“Can You Recover The Data?”

Spore-Gasm Report

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.