What is the first step of the troubleshooting process?

The first step in the troubleshooting process is to define the issue. This step is crucial because it involves understanding the problem at hand before moving forward with any potential solutions. By accurately identifying what the issue is, technicians can focus their efforts on relevant troubleshooting practices.

Defining the issue allows for a clear scope of the problem, which in turn helps in gathering necessary information and data about the symptoms being observed. This foundational understanding is essential as it guides the subsequent steps of the troubleshooting process, including identifying solutions or collecting logs. Properly defining the issue sets the stage for a successful resolution and minimizes the risk of overlooked details that could complicate or hinder troubleshooting efforts.

In contrast to this, identifying the solution or collecting logs may be premature without a clear understanding of the issue. Similarly, rebooting the endpoint could resolve some issues but does not address the underlying problem itself. Thus, defining the issue is the critical initial step that informs and directs the entire troubleshooting process.