How Reading Turned Me Into a Tech Support Wizard (and Saved a Photocopier’s Life)
Every office has its unsung heroes: those who can make the coffee machine work, those who always seem to know where the spare pens are, and those who—armed with nothing but keen observation skills and a dab of common sense—can banish even the most stubborn of paper jams. Today, let’s step into the shoes of one such tech support wizard, whose only real magic trick was… being able to read.
It all started with a routine repair job, but ended with a stunned onlooker convinced he’d just witnessed sorcery. Spoiler: the only wand involved was a finger pointed at a label.
When Reading Is Your Secret Superpower
Picture this: You’ve just finished a standard repair job. Nothing to write home about, nothing to make a TikTok about. All that’s left is to complete the paperwork so your boss can get paid. The office is small, the chairs are few, and so you find yourself standing next to the local “old mate” who’s locked in mortal combat with a photocopier.
Now, anyone who’s worked in an office knows that the humble multifunction printer is, in fact, a portal to another dimension—one where logic, reason, and printed instructions go to die. But today, the machine has decided to be merciful: it’s displaying an error message with both words and a helpful animation. “Open door A, clear paper jam,” it says, complete with a diagram that would make IKEA proud.
Old mate, however, is not convinced. He mutters. He prods. He apologizes for the delay, claiming the machine is “having problems.” You, meanwhile, are idly scrolling on your phone, probably resisting the urge to ask if he’s tried turning it off and on again.
But then your eyes catch something: a label reading “Door A” and a latch handle right next to it. The message and the animation are basically screaming, “OPEN THIS!” You point it out, perhaps a little too gently, and—like a stage magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat—door A swings open. Behind it? The mythical jammed paper, crumpled and waiting to be freed.
Once the paper is liberated and the door closed, the copier churns back to life, spitting out pages as if nothing ever happened. The day is saved, and you’re hailed as a wizard. Old mate is in awe, proclaiming, “I can’t understand these super-dooper complicated contraptions!”
The Real Magic: Common Sense (and Maybe Reading Labels)
Let’s be honest: most technology horror stories aren’t about software bugs or hardware failures. They’re about humans versus instructions. And in this modern world, where machines are practically begging us to listen (or at least glance at their screens), the humble skill of reading has become a superpower.
Why is it that so many of us freeze up in the face of a blinking light or an error message? Maybe it’s because we expect things to just work, and when they don’t, panic sets in. Or maybe the trauma of wrestling with printers in our school days has left us all with a mild case of copier PTSD.
But here’s the thing: companies have tried to make it as easy as possible. Animations, diagrams, even color-coded handles—these aren’t just for show. They’re there because someone, somewhere, knows that the average user would rather try random button combinations than (gasp!) read the instructions.
From Tech Support to “Tech Wizard”
The best part of this story isn’t just the copier coming back to life. It’s the reaction: utter amazement at someone who can read a label, interpret an animation, and act accordingly. It’s as if you’ve uttered an incantation in a forgotten language. But the real magic is patience, observation, and the willingness to try the obvious before summoning a tech exorcist.
So next time you find yourself facing a cryptic error message, take a breath. Read the words. Watch the animation. Maybe—just maybe—you’ll become the next office wizard. Or at least, you’ll save yourself from an embarrassing call to IT support.
The Takeaway: Read First, Panic Later
This hilarious tale from r/TalesFromTechSupport isn’t just a funny office anecdote—it’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most powerful tool in tech support isn’t a fancy toolkit or years of experience. It’s just paying attention to what the machine is telling you.
Have you ever “wizarded” your way out of a jam (paper or otherwise)? Share your stories below! And remember: when in doubt, read the instructions. Your inner tech wizard—and your office mates—will thank you.
Original Reddit Post: Being able to read makes me a tech support wizard!