We Read the Worst User Manuals So You Don’t Have To

Most of us read user manuals when things are on fire (literally or emotionally). When we finally open them, what do we see?

• Pages of ALL CAPS warnings

• Diagrams with arrows pointing at the wrong area or missing image

• Directions that seem translated from English to Martian and back again

• Directions for every model except the one you are looking for

  
  

We’re not naming names (cough furniture assembly kits cough), but we’ve seen some things and lived to tell the tale of frustration.

So in the spirit of public service, we’ve dug into some of the worst user manuals so you don’t have to, show you what not to do—and how a technical writer (like one from Writer Resource) can save your product, your brand, and your team's time.

Exhibit A: The Spicy Blender Manual

Real excerpt:

"Warning: Do not blend the hands. Damage to fingers will result in injury."

Oh really? Thank you...

What Went Wrong:

• Unintentionally hilarious phrasing

• Awkward sentence structure that turns a serious safety warning into a meme

  
  

What to Do Instead:

• Be clear and professional: “Keep hands away from blades while in use. Serious injury may occur.”

• Use standard safety icons with short, direct phrasing

• Have a human review the tone.

Exhibit B: The Furniture Manual from the Multiverse

Real excerpt:

“Insert Panel D into Slot C while holding Board E in levitation with great care. Turn screw type F with tool provided but not shown.”

No tools shown? No labels on the boards? Levitation?

What Went Wrong:

• Missing or confusing visuals

• Incomplete or assumed instructions

• Vague references to parts that aren't identified

  
  

What to Do Instead:

• Label diagrams clearly and match them to written instructions

• Break down each step with visuals and numbered parts

• Test the instructions with someone who hasn’t already built it

Exhibit C: The Smartwatch Setup Guide (That Wasn't Very Smart)

Real excerpt:

“To connect the Bluetooth, go to settings and make it happen. You will know.”

Like a vision from the smartwatch gods?

What Went Wrong:

• Lack of detail

• Ambiguity that assumes too much user knowledge

• Instructions written with the confidence of someone who’s never met a user before

  
  

What to Do Instead:

• Spell it out. Don’t make users guess.

• Use screenshots or clearly written step-by-step actions

• Avoid mystery. This isn’t an escape room.

Exhibit D: The Eternal Warranty Void Warning

Real excerpt:

“Warranty shall be invalid if device exposed to sunlight, heat, cold, vibration, thoughts of doubt, or being looked at sideways.”

We get warranty limitations. But when everything voids it… does it exist?

What Went Wrong:

• Overuse of “CYA” (cover your assets) language

• Treating the user like a liability instead of a partner

  
  

What to Do Instead:

• Be reasonable and user-focused in warranty terms

• Make the conditions understandable and realistic

• And for the love of usability, keep it on one page or one paragraph if possible

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I Hear the Warnings, but... What Works in a User Manual?

Here’s what we recommend (and what our writers build for clients every day):

✅ Clear, simple language—no jargon unless you define it

✅ Visuals that help (with captions that make sense)

✅ Logical flow from unboxing to setup to troubleshooting

✅ A friendly but professional tone—bonus if it feels human

✅ Step-by-step formatting with plenty of white space and visual hierarchy (your readers are skimming, not studying)

Good Manuals Won't Make the User Feel Like the Problem

Bad user manuals can damage your brand, confuse your customers, and lead to support tickets that never needed to exist. Great manuals—written by real technical writers—create happy users, fewer returns, and fewer tweets that go viral for all the wrong reasons.

We read the worst manuals out there and know how to improve yours. Contact us for more details.