What is the first step in troubleshooting a malfunctioning appliance?

The first step in troubleshooting a malfunctioning appliance is to check the power supply. This is crucial because many appliance issues stem from power-related problems such as blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, or unplugged devices. Ensuring that the appliance is receiving power can eliminate the most common issues and guide you toward the next steps in troubleshooting.

Starting with the power supply helps narrow down the problem quickly before moving on to more complex or time-consuming diagnostics. If the appliance is not powered on, no amount of diagnosing other components will be effective, making this step critical in the troubleshooting process.

By first confirming that power is available, technicians can then proceed with examining other components or consulting manuals, ensuring a more systematic approach to resolving the issue.