Laptop Not Starting? Simple Solutions to Fix Laptops on Your Own

Summary: Explore the most common laptop problems and what you can do to fix them. Issues such as a frozen screen, no sound or a laptop not charging can have easy fixes. Try some simple laptop troubleshooting and repair solutions before calling a professional technician.

Laptop computers revolutionized how and where people can work remotely. With the rise in work-from-home offices, laptops and other mobile devices are more vital than ever to personal and business communications. Although laptops do not have the same storage and power as desktop computers, they make up for it by offering a very high degree of mobility. Due in part to their mobility, laptops are more vulnerable than desktop computers from wear and tear on connections, damage from dropping, temperature changes and more. All devices break down eventually, but there are several common ways to fix laptop issues that arise:

• Laptop Will Not Boot Up – Often when a laptop does not boot, the AC power supply or DC charging jack might be to blame for your laptop not charging or starting. Check to see if your battery is charging. Unfortunately, if the problem does not lie in the power supply or charger, you could have a failed motherboard which is a significant computer repair expense, and may not be worth investing in if the laptop is older.
• The Black or Blue Screen Nightmare – (Also known as the screen of death.) If you think your laptop has booted, yet your screen is dark, you still cannot work. Take these steps to analyze the dark screen issue:
  • Unplug the power supply
  • Remove the battery
  • Hold down the power button for about 60 seconds
  • Plug the laptop back in
  • Restart
  • Replace the battery
  • Restart
  • Check that your RAM chips are physically installed properly. Then, check your system to ensure the chips are functional. RAM is readily available, and the chips are relatively easy to replace. If you replace the RAM and your laptop keeps turning on and off, you probably have a failed motherboard.
• Frozen Screens on Laptops – Frozen screens are often caused by your laptop overheating. A defective or dirty fan often causes a hot device. Check the fan; if it is not functioning correctly, it is replaceable. (Make sure the laptop is used on a hard surface, bedding and cushions can cause the laptop to overheat.)
• Noisy Laptops – Defective or dirty fans also cause a noisy laptop. At least, you should hope that is the issue. If not, you could have a failing hard drive. If the fan appears to be functioning and you are still hearing strange sounds, we suggest backing up your files and seeking professional computer repairs without delay.
• Screen Keeps Dimming – If your laptop is fully functional but the screen is dimming, it could be from a failing backlight lamp or screen inverter. If you are uncomfortable replacing them yourself, seek the help of professional IT maintenance consultants.
• Distorted Screen Images – If you see distorted images on your laptop screen, try plugging it into an external monitor. If the picture is fine on that monitor, you might need to replace the screen or video cable. Again, the worst-case scenario is a failed motherboard.
• Keyboard Issue – Keyboards can wear out over time. Their keys might start sticking or completely stop functioning. However, before replacing your laptop’s keyboard, try removing each key cap and cleaning them. Also, clean and vacuum where the keys are seated. Leave the keys off overnight in case moisture is causing the problem. If you replace the key caps and the keyboard is still not functioning properly, you will probably have to replace it.
• Cannot Connect to WiFi – If your laptop cannot connect to WiFi, you are losing a significant component of mobile, remote access work. It can be very frustrating not being able to log onto a WiFi network. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can try before seeking assistance from an IT maintenance consultant:
  • Shut down and restart your laptop
  • Check that all modems and routers are still plugged in
    • Ensure all connectivity devices are powered up and display a good signal.
    • Unplug and replug router to reset, if needed
  • Try resetting your network
    • In Windows:
      • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Click on “Network Reset”
    • In Macs (Mac OS):
    • Go to System Preferences > TCP/IP Settings
    • Click “Renew DHCP Lease”
    • Select “WiFi”
      • Preferred networks
      • Then click OK
      • Restart
• No Sound on Laptop – Believe it or not, in most cases, when computers do not have sound, the user has either muted the sound or has turned the volume all the way down. Anyone can forget to change a setting. If you are sure your machine is unmuted and the volume is up, try using earbuds or external speakers you already know are working. If the sound is fine, you might have a hardware problem with your laptop’s internal speakers. Finally, ensure you have the most up-to-date drivers installed for your sound device.

Mobile device repairs and fixes for laptops, tablets and cell phones are more complex than ever. Sometimes you simply do not have the time to figure out why you have no sound on your laptop, or why your laptop is not starting. Before embarking on DIY repairs, be sure the repair is within your knowledge and skill set. If not, invest in IT experts for professional computer repairs. Many diagnostic and repair services can now be performed remotely. You can also schedule a technician to come to your office or home to complete mobile computer repairs. If your laptop cannot be repaired or is no longer worth repairing, your IT support technician can offer suggestions for a replacement laptop that will suit your current needs in terms of size, system compatibility, memory and processing speeds.