What is the first step in troubleshooting after gathering information on a fault?

The initial step in troubleshooting after gathering information about a fault is conducting a visual inspection. This action allows you to assess the physical condition of the equipment or system directly. By looking for obvious signs of damage, wear, misalignment, or connectivity issues, you can quickly identify potential problems that may not have been reported in the information-gathering phase. Visual inspection serves as a practical way to confirm suspicions and often leads to immediate fixes, significantly speeding up the troubleshooting process.

Other methods, such as checking the operational manual, conducting a software reset, or consulting with a senior technician, are valuable steps that may follow, but they typically come after the initial visual inspection, which provides essential insight into the current state of the equipment.