Home Troubleshooting Assistant
A guided, rule-based tool. Pick a system and symptom, answer a few questions, and get a short list of possible causes with safe next checks — plus a clear signal when a problem needs a professional.
- 1. System
- 2. Safety
- 3. Symptom
- 4. Questions
- 5. Result
How this assistant works
The assistant follows fixed rules written by our editorial team — it is not AI and does not learn from your answers. It maps your selections to a list of possible causes and the safe checks a homeowner can reasonably perform. It deliberately avoids hazardous repair steps.
What it will never do
- Tell you a diagnosis is confirmed.
- Give you a probability or certainty score.
- Walk you through gas, refrigerant, high-voltage, or pressurized-system repairs.
If you indicate a gas smell, a carbon monoxide alarm, smoke or fire, or water around energized equipment, the assistant stops and shows safety guidance instead of continuing.