French - Explaining a Problem

Il y a un problème avec ___.

There's a problem with ___.

Meaning: There's a problem with ___.

When to use: Use this neutral phrase to report that something is not working or has an issue (device, service, delivery, etc.).

Tip: Don't confuse 'un problème de' (problem of) vs 'un problème avec' — use 'avec' to indicate the item that has the problem.

___ ne marche pas correctement.

___ isn't working properly.

Meaning: ___ isn't working properly.

When to use: Say this when a device, app, or service functions but has errors or incorrect behavior.

Il y a eu un souci avec ___.

Something went wrong with ___.

Meaning: Something went wrong with ___.

When to use: Use this to describe an unexpected negative result — useful for services, deliveries, or processes.

Je n'arrive pas à faire marcher ___.

I can't get ___ to work.

Meaning: I can't get ___ to work.

When to use: Say this when you have tried and cannot make an object, app, or feature function.

Je n'ai pas reçu ___.

I didn't receive ___.

Meaning: I didn't receive ___.

When to use: Use this to explain that an expected item (email, message, package, document) never arrived.

C'est déjà arrivé.

This has happened before.

Meaning: This has happened before.

When to use: Say this when the issue is recurring and not the first time you've seen it.

Avant, ça marchait, mais maintenant ___.

It was fine before, but now ___.

Meaning: It was fine before, but now ___.

When to use: Use this to describe a recent change: something worked previously but now does not.

Il y a écrit ___.

It says ___.

Meaning: It says ___.

When to use: Report an on-screen or written error message exactly as it appears.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 'C'est écrit' — 'Il y a écrit' is common in spoken French for on-screen notes; both are understood but sound slightly different.

Tu pourrais regarder ça pour moi ?

Could you check it for me?

Meaning: Could you check it for me?

When to use: Use this polite request when asking a colleague or tech support (informal 'tu'). For formal use, switch to 'vous'.

Tip: Confusing 'tu' and 'vous' — use 'Vous pourriez regarder ça pour moi ?' with someone you should address formally.

Qu'est-ce que je dois faire maintenant ?

What should I do now?

Meaning: What should I do now?

When to use: Ask this when you want clear next steps after describing the problem.

Le problème a commencé quand ___.

The issue started when ___.

Meaning: The issue started when ___.

When to use: Use this to explain the moment or action that caused the problem (a change, update, or event).

J'ai essayé de ___, mais ça n'a rien changé.

I tried to ___, but it didn't help.

Meaning: I tried to ___, but it didn't help.

When to use: Report a solution you attempted (use an infinitive in the blank), and say it didn't fix the issue.

Ça n'arrête pas de ___.

It keeps ___.

Meaning: It keeps ___.

When to use: Describe a repeated or ongoing problem; place an infinitive in the blank (e.g., se déconnecter, redémarrer).