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There’s something about humans and technology that makes them a perfect combo for a disaster waiting to happen. And even though we live in 2020, where tech has become a quintessential part of our daily lives, it doesn’t mean it’s as easy as pie. Don’t believe me?

Ask the tech support workers who have been witness to such monstrosities, it makes you wonder what on earth their clients were thinking. A client upgrading his phone and keeping his old screen protector ‘cause why not? Check. A mouse covered in hand grease up to the point that it’s just a lump of sheer nastiness? Check. Rice inside the iPhone? Sure. Cables tangled so badly, they resemble a wasp nest? Of course.

Thanks (do we really wanna thank them for dis?) to the Reddit community that goes by the all-telling name r/techsupportgore, we now have pure nightmare material for tech support workers or any other person who is no stranger to common sense. Psst! More painfully funny and cringe-worthy tech and gadget disasters waiting in part 1.

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    #2

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

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

    techsupportgore Report

    #3

    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

    The r/techsupportgore subreddit was created on February 29, 8 years ago, and has since grown into a solid community of 467k members. According to the group’s description, it will make you “cringe to the brink of passing out after a few minutes looking at this subreddit.”

    Some time ago, Bored Panda contacted Coffeechipmunk, the moderator of the r/techsupportgore subreddit, who said that the most popular posts in the community are usually the ones that show a device a moment away from exploding.

    “It’s both dangerous and cool,” explained the mod. “They probably get so big because people post the pics and you think, 'Wow, that's just a bomb at that point.'"Whoever is wondering why the subreddit got so popular, it all comes down to the fact that “Honestly... it's very fun," Coffeechipmunk said.

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    #4

    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

    #5

    Just Set It On Fire

    Just Set It On Fire

    techsupportgore Report

    “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?”

    Essentially, it attracts a bunch of people that enjoy tech and the very worst of it. Also, it’s especially relevant to the current generations Y and Z who basically grew up with tech around them. For these kids and young adults, seeing the picture of someone trying to charge their new laptop without taking it out of the box is essentially priceless.

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    #7

    One Of My Clients Upgraded His Phone But Kept His Old Screen “Protector”

    One Of My Clients Upgraded His Phone But Kept His Old Screen “Protector”

    techsupportgore Report

    #8

    German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

    German T-Mobile Found 3 Snakes Inside Their Network Unit

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Ah, the irony. The German word for snake is also a term for someone who‘s deceitful. Seeing as our lovely Deutsche Telekom dastardly 'renewed' the contract I had with them (thus making me pay for my phone/internet TWICE for 1,5 years), I vote for this to become their official representation photo.

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    #9

    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

    #10

    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

    #11

    Shipping Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Computers With No Packaging Material

    Shipping Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Computers With No Packaging Material

    techsupportgore Report

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    Philly Bob Squires
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazon did this to me... I ordered 3 6 TB hard drives and they shipped them in a bubble mailer that looked like a truck ran over it. All of the HD boxes were crushed. The drives weren't damaged but I sent them back anyway along with a really stern phone call. They replaced them (actually sent me 4 instead of 3.) Ordered some lavender soap bars for the wife and they packed them in paper and bubble wrap and in an oversized box that was so secure you could have shipped nitroglycerin in. Go figure.

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

    When you package stuff at Amazon, you get told by the computer which size package to use. The algorithm sometimes makes weird decision, but doing it different that it tells you, will get you in trouble.

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

    Our college once received a donation of computers and paperwork from IBM. We received several medium sized boxes, approximately 16 x 16 inches, one of which held a single sheet of paper.

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

    I do tech gear collections and deliveries at times for my job... I am expected to bubble-wrap each piece (PC, laptop, monitor etc.) separately (keyboards and mice are a different matter). Customer returning kit: throw it all into a box, tangled into one big knot without any packaging...

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

    Best Buy did the same thing to me with noise canceling headphones

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

    I just ordered a 20lb jug of cat litter and some cookies from Walmart. They came in the same box. Needless to say, the cookies had turned to dust.

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

    noooooooooooooooooooo, If they all got broken then.......... well that would be sad

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    #12

    Do You Think It Got Too Hot?

    Do You Think It Got Too Hot?

    techsupportgore Report

    #13

    "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

    #14

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

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

    techsupportgore Report

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    #15

    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

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

    Oh crap, that's about to have the battery ignite. Mine expanded about 1/8th of that and I panicked, took the battery out and shut it in a steel box, before I could sleep soundly.

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    #16

    Brother Wanted A Wireless Mouse, Kid Wanted To Help

    Brother Wanted A Wireless Mouse, Kid Wanted To Help

    techsupportgore Report

    #17

    After Two Days Of Troubleshooting, The Solution Was To Simply Flip It Upside Down. Of Course

    After Two Days Of Troubleshooting, The Solution Was To Simply Flip It Upside Down. Of Course

    techsupportgore Report

    #18

    "My PC Won't Turn On"

    "My PC Won't Turn On"

    techsupportgore Report

    #20

    Someone At Work Secured This Power-Board

    Someone At Work Secured This Power-Board

    techsupportgore Report

    #21

    People That Use PC Cables To Rest Their Feet

    People That Use PC Cables To Rest Their Feet

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Offices should supply foot rests or smaller desks for short people. Looks like she would struggle get her heels on the ground.

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    #24

    Came To A Restaurant With My Dad To Fix Their Internet Issues

    Came To A Restaurant With My Dad To Fix Their Internet Issues

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Please tip health inspection... The people that are responsible for this grossness are also responsible for a clean kitched o_0

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    #25

    "I Forgot That I Left My Laptop On The Top Of My Truck. It Flew Off When I Was On The Highway. Can You Fix It?"

    "I Forgot That I Left My Laptop On The Top Of My Truck. It Flew Off When I Was On The Highway. Can You Fix It?"

    techsupportgore Report

    #26

    Spaghetti Baguette. "I Was On A School Trip. 6 Electric Sockets For 70 People"

    Spaghetti Baguette. "I Was On A School Trip. 6 Electric Sockets For 70 People"

    techsupportgore Report

    #27

    Drilled Right Into The Battery

    Drilled Right Into The Battery

    techsupportgore Report

    #29

    “My Tablet Is Not Charging” - Is This A Battery Or A Pillow?

    “My Tablet Is Not Charging” - Is This A Battery Or A Pillow?

    techsupportgore Report

    #30

    Customer Tried To Change The Mainboard

    Customer Tried To Change The Mainboard

    techsupportgore Report

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    #32

    My Girlfriend's Xbox 360 Hard Drive Was Rattling... Can I Recover The Data?

    My Girlfriend's Xbox 360 Hard Drive Was Rattling... Can I Recover The Data?

    techsupportgore Report

    #34

    Dispatched About A Computer That Wouldn't Boot, It Was Epoxied To The Desk. They Had To Cut It Out For Us

    Dispatched About A Computer That Wouldn't Boot, It Was Epoxied To The Desk. They Had To Cut It Out For Us

    techsupportgore Report

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

    It certainly looks cool, even though it's totally impractical.

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    #35

    Hey Boss, The UPS Had Some Crazy European Connector, But I Fixed It!

    Hey Boss, The UPS Had Some Crazy European Connector, But I Fixed It!

    techsupportgore Report

    #36

    He Paid Extra For The Expert Installation

    He Paid Extra For The Expert Installation

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Not too technical savy but it looks like a liquid cooling system that's been badly setup. Hence the whole "paid extra for the EXPERT installation" bit

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    #37

    Teacher Was "Multitasking" And Set Laptop On Hot Stove... It Still Works Other Than A Few Lines On The Screen

    Teacher Was "Multitasking" And Set Laptop On Hot Stove... It Still Works Other Than A Few Lines On The Screen

    techsupportgore Report

    #38

    Customer Attempted Their Own Hdmi Repair With A Blowtorch

    Customer Attempted Their Own Hdmi Repair With A Blowtorch

    techsupportgore Report

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    #39

    I Tried To Use My Old Case As A Chair

    I Tried To Use My Old Case As A Chair

    techsupportgore Report

    #40

    "I Straightened Bent Pins With Tweezer, But It Won't Work Afterwards"

    "I Straightened Bent Pins With Tweezer, But It Won't Work Afterwards"

    techsupportgore Report

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    #41

    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

    techsupportgore Report

    #43

    Painters: It’ll Be Fine

    Painters: It’ll Be Fine

    techsupportgore Report

    #44

    Yikes... Flooded Bitcoin Mining Farm

    Yikes... Flooded Bitcoin Mining Farm

    techsupportgore Report

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

    I felt a great disturbance in the PCMR Force, as if millions of geeks suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

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    #50

    Customer Came In Because Their Phone Said No Sim. I Wonder Why... (Old Sim On Bottom, New Sim On Top For Comparison)

    Customer Came In Because Their Phone Said No Sim. I Wonder Why... (Old Sim On Bottom, New Sim On Top For Comparison)

    techsupportgore Report

    #51

    Dear Clients: When I Tell You Good Thermal Paste .. It Is Not Tooth Paste :( This Is The 3rd This Month That The Apu Has Close Up Tooth Paste

    Dear Clients: When I Tell You Good Thermal Paste .. It Is Not Tooth Paste :( This Is The 3rd This Month That The Apu Has Close Up Tooth Paste

    techsupportgore Report

    #52

    Talk About A Security Risk. I Stopped At A Gas Station, And Their Sole, Family Bathroom Hosted The Rack For The Whole Station

    Talk About A Security Risk. I Stopped At A Gas Station, And Their Sole, Family Bathroom Hosted The Rack For The Whole Station

    techsupportgore Report

    #53

    My Husband's Delicious Cable Management And He Works In It

    My Husband's Delicious Cable Management And He Works In It

    techsupportgore Report

    #54

    New Servers Have Red Cables. Can’t Miss It

    New Servers Have Red Cables. Can’t Miss It

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Spaghetti city..you couldn’t pay me enough to work with that going on!

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    #56

    Xbox Optical Drive Stopped Working. I Have Twin Toddlers

    Xbox Optical Drive Stopped Working. I Have Twin Toddlers

    techsupportgore Report

    #58

    Melted Monitor. “But I Have To Have A Lamp At My Desk. I Just Push It Behind My Monitor Because It’s Too Bright”

    Melted Monitor. “But I Have To Have A Lamp At My Desk. I Just Push It Behind My Monitor Because It’s Too Bright”

    techsupportgore Report

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

    I had the "lamp problem" with a keyboard, when using a 100W bulb instead of a LED one... Better learn the song "Mary had a little lamp"!

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    #59

    Powered By Static Electricity Through The Carpet While Pacing Around In Socks Waiting For Installs

    Powered By Static Electricity Through The Carpet While Pacing Around In Socks Waiting For Installs

    techsupportgore Report

    #60

    I Found Out Why Internet Has Been Spotty (Yes, I Have A Rabbit)

    I Found Out Why Internet Has Been Spotty (Yes, I Have A Rabbit)

    techsupportgore Report

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    09Robdog07
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Will kinda make a teeny little fire that will probably burn the house down

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    #61

    My Laptop Won't Close And My WiFi Isn't Working

    My Laptop Won't Close And My WiFi Isn't Working

    techsupportgore Report

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

    I'm shocked by the number of people that screw things into laptops. It is bizarre.

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    #62

    I Remember, Why I Had So Many Bad Memory's About 2000' Era Pcs

    I Remember, Why I Had So Many Bad Memory's About 2000' Era Pcs

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

    *Memories. An apostrophe does not make a word plural. Sorry, this just irritates me.

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    #63

    "Geez I Lost My Charger, Welp I Guess It's Time To Take The Danger Wire Out Of The Drawer"

    "Geez I Lost My Charger, Welp I Guess It's Time To Take The Danger Wire Out Of The Drawer"

    techsupportgore Report

    #65

    Found Out Why My Monitor Stoped Working

    Found Out Why My Monitor Stoped Working

    techsupportgore Report

    #66

    You Guys Probably Get This All The Time But Here Is Mine

    You Guys Probably Get This All The Time But Here Is Mine

    techsupportgore Report

    #67

    Some Genius Who Closed Last Night, Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To Put Notebook Paper In Our Printer

    Some Genius Who Closed Last Night, Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To Put Notebook Paper In Our Printer

    techsupportgore Report

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

    Ha, I did that in school. The trick is figuring out the line spacing and margins to get it to line up right.

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    #68

    Our Server Room At Work Is A Closed Metal Cabinet With No Ventilation. If This Picture Had Sound Those Fans Would Be Deafening

    Our Server Room At Work Is A Closed Metal Cabinet With No Ventilation. If This Picture Had Sound Those Fans Would Be Deafening

    techsupportgore Report

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    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so amused by the US Robotics fax modem next to the electrical tape :D

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    #69

    As Soon As The Expanded Battery Was Replaced, The Hard Drive Started Working Again! It’s A Ipod Classic 1st Generation (10gb Model)

    As Soon As The Expanded Battery Was Replaced, The Hard Drive Started Working Again! It’s A Ipod Classic 1st Generation (10gb Model)

    techsupportgore Report

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

    A 10 gb iPod Classic 1st gen?? How much are those worth nowadays? I remember them going for a TON when I was trying to replace my very sad Nano a while ago. How much did it cost to replace the battery??

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    #72

    Ticket Saying Label Printer Has Stopped Printing

    Ticket Saying Label Printer Has Stopped Printing

    techsupportgore Report

    #74

    F You Are A Smoker, Do Not Buy A White Case

    F You Are A Smoker, Do Not Buy A White Case

    techsupportgore Report

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    #79

    A Computer Tower Needing An External Power Supply. There Is Nothing Behind The Power Supply "Cutout". Basically A Laptop Motherboard In A Case. Also, The Card Slots Aren't Removable

    A Computer Tower Needing An External Power Supply. There Is Nothing Behind The Power Supply "Cutout". Basically A Laptop Motherboard In A Case. Also, The Card Slots Aren't Removable

    techsupportgore Report

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    Rodrigo “centoventicinque” Boschi
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hp crap, i've one as pi-hole in my house, is good because is silent and requires a really low power, god as pi-hole and nas as i use it , otherwise it's a terrible desktop pc ( has a dual core fanless amd cpu )

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    #80

    Customer Said They Opened It To Unplug Battery? This Image Is Cursed

    Customer Said They Opened It To Unplug Battery? This Image Is Cursed

    techsupportgore Report