どうしたら・
Use a question word with a conditional verb and “good” to ask someone what action would be advisable. It commonly means “What, where, when, or how should I...?”
Ask for the missing piece of advice
The question word marks the information you need: an action, choice, destination, time, method, or person. The answer must be genuinely open, so this pattern is not simply a yes-or-no question about whether an action is acceptable.
A common general question
パソコンが急に動かなくなりました。どうしたらいいですか。
My computer suddenly stopped working. What should I do?
AnalyzeDifferent kinds of guidance
Place the question word where the missing information would normally appear in the sentence.
初級と中級のどちらを選べばいいですか。
Which should I choose, the beginner or intermediate level?
Analyze会場に着いたら、どの受付へ行けばいいですか。
When I arrive at the venue, which reception desk should I go to?
Analyze予約を変更したいときは、いつまでに連絡すればいいですか。
If I want to change my reservation, by when should I contact you?
Analyzeこのファイルはどうやって開いたらいいですか。
How should I open this file?
Analyze住所を変更する場合、誰に知らせればいいですか。
If I change my address, whom should I notify?
AnalyzeChoosing between the two conditionals
Both たらいいですか and ばいいですか are normal in advice-seeking questions. The especially common general forms are どうしたらいいですか and どうすればいいですか.
Asking for advice versus giving it
A question word plus いいですか asks the listener to supply advice. A statement ending in たらいい or ばいい instead gives advice.
More examples
この薬はいつ飲んだらいいですか。
When should I take this medicine?
Analyze空港からホテルまで、どう行けばいいですか。
How should I get from the airport to the hotel?
Analyze参加できない場合は、誰に連絡したらいいですか。
If I cannot attend, whom should I contact?
Analyze二つの案のうち、どちらを選んだらいいですか。
Which of the two plans should I choose?
Analyze申込書には何を書けばいいですか。
What should I write on the application form?
Analyze画面が固まったんだけど、どうすればいい？
The screen has frozen—what should I do?
AnalyzeThis plain form is natural with someone close.