Local Tech Help Resources in the US and Canada, Free

This hub collects local tech help resources for the United States and Canada: the official places to report a tech-support scam, the government maps that show which internet providers serve your address, electronics recycling programs, and free learning options such as public library computer classes.

Free Tech Support is a website of written guides. We have no offices, no technicians and no phone line in any city, and we never call anyone. The pages below simply point you to public services and to the step-by-step guides on this site.

United States

Report tech-support scams and other fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Spanish: ReporteFraude.ftc.gov), and internet crime to the FBI at ic3.gov. To see which providers serve your street address, use the FCC National Broadband Map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov. The EPA explains options for electronics donation and recycling.

Overview page: United States. States:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Canada

Report fraud and scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police. The Government of Canada’s High-speed Internet for all Canadians site includes the national availability map. Recycle My Electronics lists drop-off points in participating provinces, and Get Cyber Safe has plain-language security advice.

Overview page: Canada. Provinces and territories:

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon.

Fix it yourself first

Most everyday problems do not need a technician. Start with Wi-Fi connected but no internet, printer says offline, a slow laptop or pop-ups and redirects, or browse all guides. Before giving away or recycling a phone, back it up and wipe it.

Many public libraries offer free computer classes or one-to-one help sessions; check your library’s website. In the US, DigitalLearn.org from the Public Library Association has free self-paced lessons.