German Phrase
Das ist wahrscheinlich ein Hardware-Problem.
Meaning
Literally, "That is probably a hardware problem." It is used to state a tentative diagnosis that the cause of a malfunction lies in the physical components of a device rather than in software or user error.
When to use
Use this sentence when you or a colleague are troubleshooting electronic devices, computers, or appliances and want to suggest that the fault is likely technical rather than procedural. It works in both informal chats and more formal support contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DasistwahrscheinlicheinHardware-Problem.
Das (demonstrative pronoun)
Used to point to something specific; here it refers to the situation just described.
ist (verb sein, 3rd person singular)
The present‑tense form of "sein" that links the subject with its description.
wahrscheinlich (adverb)
Expresses a high degree of probability; placed before the noun phrase it modifies.
ein (indefinite article, neuter)
Matches the neuter noun "Problem"; the article stays in the nominative case because "sein" does not govern a case.
Hardware-Problem (compound noun)
A loan‑word compound; the hyphen shows the English component "Hardware" is treated as a German noun.
🗨In Conversation
Mein Laptop startet nicht mehr, er macht nur noch ein Klick‑Geräusch.
My laptop won't start anymore; it just makes a clicking sound.
Das ist wahrscheinlich ein Hardware-Problem.
That's probably a hardware problem.
✕Common Mistakes
Das ist wahrscheinlich eine Hardware-Problem.
The article "ein" is correct because "Problem" is neuter; some learners mistakenly use "eine" which is feminine.
Das ist ein Hardware-Problem wahrscheinlich.
Placing "wahrscheinlich" after the noun would change the meaning; it must modify the whole clause, not just the noun.
Das ist wahrscheinlich ein Hardware Problem.
Avoid writing the compound without a hyphen or space; "Hardware Problem" looks like two separate nouns and is non‑standard.
↔Alternatives
Das könnte ein Hardware-Problem sein.
It could be a hardware problem.
Wahrscheinlich liegt das Problem an der Hardware.
The problem is probably in the hardware.
Es handelt sich vermutlich um ein Hardware-Problem.
It is most likely a hardware problem.
Cultural Tip
German tech‑support language often mixes English loanwords like "Hardware" with German grammar. The hyphen is standard (Hardware‑Problem) and signals that the whole compound is treated as a German noun. In formal writing you might also see "Hardware‑Problem" written without the hyphen, but the hyphenated form is preferred in everyday speech and most technical documentation.