Some alternatives
We make good designers and developers because we tend to be a tenacious bunch; we often don’t want to give up until we find the answer. When troubleshooting, there comes a time where we can’t remember if we’ve looked at a site yet, or tried a particular solution. There are some soft-skills that you need to develop as a troubleshooter.
First, document your work. Even if it’s a rough list on a sheet of paper. If you have to retrace your steps, it will be more efficient; if you’re getting confused about what you have and haven’t tried, that too will help you become more efficient.
Ultimately, however, you might just need a break. Sometimes a problem that eludes us is obvious the next day. So take a break, and walk away.
Looking for more traditional thoughts? Check out these resources: