Troubleshoot Laptop Problems Yourself

Summary: There are several common laptop problems that have simple fixes. Try these techniques to troubleshoot laptop problems on your own before calling for professional help.

Laptops helped make remote work a reality. What laptops sacrificed in power and storage compared to desktops, they more than made up for with mobility. Laptops are also subject to increased risk of damage during transport. No device lasts forever, and just as with desktop PCs, laptops can malfunction for various reasons. If you have an in-house IT technician or managed IT services at work, they can help. But if you work for a small or midsized business (SMB) lacking a service arrangement you may need to handle the problem on your own.

How Can I Fix My Laptop?

There are several fundamental issues and individual methods used to troubleshoot laptop problems. Here are a few of the more common problems:

• Laptop Black Screen – Your laptop seems to turn on and boot up, yet the screen remains dark. It does not matter if everything else is working. Without a screen, you cannot access and utilize your files. Try the following steps to analyze the laptop black screen problem:
  • Remove the battery and unplug the power supply
  • Hold down the power button for one minute
  • Plug your laptop back in and restart
  • Replace the battery and restart it a second time
  • Ensure your RAM chips are correctly installed and check your system to see if the chips are functional. If they are not, replace them
• Laptop Does Not Turn On – A laptop not powering up might be related to the AC power supply or your DC charging jack. First, check to see if your battery is charging. The big problem is that if it is not a power supply or charging issue, it could be that your motherboard has failed and must be replaced.
• Laptop Makes Unusual Sounds – The laptop’s cooling fan is often responsible for unusual rattling noises. If you check the fan and it seems fine, try unplugging it to see if you still hear the strange sound. Unfortunately, if the sound is not coming from the fan, you probably have a hard drive on its way out. It would be wise to back up all your files and contact an expert technician to replace the hard drive before it fails completely.
• Laptop Keeps Turning On and Off – If you power up your laptop and it randomly turns on and off again multiple times, you probably have bad RAM modules or a failed motherboard. If it is not a memory issue, replacing a motherboard is prohibitively expensive and beyond the average user’s expertise. Instead, hire a professional computer repair service to investigate the issue.
• Frozen Screens and Random Shutdowns – This might be another cooling fan issue. By feeling the bottom of your laptop, you can tell if the fan is cooling sufficiently. If the laptop is hot, your fan may be dirty or malfunctioning in some way. If cleaning does not work, you might need to replace the fan. Be sure to use the laptop on a firm surface since soft bedding and pillows can block air intake.
• Dimming Screen – If everything seems to be operating normally, but your screen is getting dim, you might have a backlight lamp failure or a failing screen inverter. If you can change these components, do so. If not, hire an IT expert for the repair.
• Weird Screen Images – If your screen displays distorted images, try plugging your laptop into an external monitor. If the picture on the monitor is okay, you might need to replace the laptop's screen, motherboard or video cable.
• Malfunctioning Keyboard – Over time, keyboards get dirty or wear out. Sometimes keys stick or do not work at all. Try removing all the keycaps and cleaning the caps and cap seats on the keyboard. If the keyboard still malfunctions, you might have to replace it.
  • My Laptop Won’t Connect to WiFi – Before panicking, try these steps:
    • Restart your laptop
    • Check connectivity devices (modems, network adapters, routers, etc.
    • Ensure everything is connected, turned on and has a good signal
    • Reset Your Network –
      • For Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Click Network Reset.
      • For Macs, go to System Preferences > TCP/IP Settings.
        • Click on “Renew DHCP Lease”
        • Select WiFi > Preferred Networks > Click OK
        • Using the Keychain Access Utility, remove your stored network passwords and restart your laptop.

Laptop Computer Repairs, Maintenance & Buying Advice

Hopefully one of these suggestions solved the problem and your laptop is functioning normally. At the very least, you can let your technician know what you have already tried, saving time on a diagnosis and laptop repair. Many computer repair companies are mobilized and can service your laptop at your office, home or worksite. Your technician can show you how to maintain your laptop, too. If your device cannot be repaired or repair costs would exceed the value, the technician can recommend a suitable replacement based on needs and budget.

IT maintenance is essential to a fast, secure and smoothly running computer system and network. Laptops and all devices connected to your business network must be maintained regularly to ensure continued productivity and network security. Unprotected devices connected to a business network pose a serious liability risk to business data security.

What if I Cannot Fix My Laptop?

With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems both in and out of the office is imperative for SMBs that do not have an in-house IT employee. An affordable managed IT support company specializing in SMBs can repair devices, train staff, update software, inspect and monitor hardware and provide basic cyber security for all your network-connected devices. Sometimes you simply do not have the time to figure out if you can fix a laptop, so it may benefit you to call a computer repair specialist at the first sign of trouble.