A user is having trouble accessing an application. Which of the following should a help desk analyst do first?

The first step in troubleshooting any access issue is to narrow down the scope of the problem. Determining if it's a network issue (e.g., cannot reach the server) or an application-specific access issue (e.g., authentication, permissions) guides subsequent, more specific troubleshooting steps.

Checking user permissions is a valid troubleshooting step for access issues, but it comes after determining if the problem is even related to access, as opposed to a network connectivity issue.

Resetting credentials should only be done if authentication is confirmed to be the problem, and is too aggressive for an initial step.

Documenting the solution and notifying the user are final steps in the troubleshooting process, occurring after the problem has been resolved.