There are many reasons your laptop can need repairs. All of these cause frustration, especially when you need your laptop for work. They also mean that different things are needed depending on the brand, year/model, and operating system of your laptop. Here are some of the most common reasons people reach out for repairs.

There are battery issues

You will likely need a new battery if yours won’t hold a charge, won’t charge all the way, won’t take a charge at all, or there are signs of swelling and bulging usually in the trackpad area. The average lifespan of a laptop battery is between two and four years. Keep in mind that how you use the laptop will affect this number. Also, there may be another issue causing the low battery. Tip: Your operating system may have the capability of reading battery capacity. If it can’t, a third-party program can help.

Ways to solve this issue

There are a few ways to solve the battery issue you are having, depending on what is causing it. If it’s the battery itself, all you have to do is replace it. If it’s the adapter cord, that is also an easy and affordable fix. But, if the charger port on the laptop is broken, you will need to have an expert fix that.

The dreaded “blue screen of death”

If your laptop runs Windows, there is a chance that you may experience this well-known issue. It is caused when the operating system detects a major issue and shuts down automatically. You will typically see a blue screen with an error message when this happens.

The blue screen of death means there is a major problem with your laptop, like a hard drive breakdown. The error message may seem ominous, but you should read it in its entirety. Messages can appear a couple of times, but your laptop will function as normal. Do not ignore them, even if you feel it is okay. The blue screen is designed to be a warning system to allow you to get the problem repaired.

Random shutdowns

Unlike the blue screen of death, this issue occurs when a computer or laptop just turns off with no error message. The first step in troubleshooting is to make sure that your laptop was actually charged. If it wasn’t plugged in, try charging it for a while and turning it back on. If it WAS plugged in and charging, the issue is being caused by something else.

For example, your screen can have a problem, rather than the battery or other components. You’ll know this is happening if you hear the laptop running, but the screen is black. Restart the computer and if the problem happens again, you will know it’s something more serious, like a hard drive failure.

Too much heat

Computers and laptops are made to handle the heat loads that their components produce. That being said, laptops can tend to get too hot if you don’t allow air to pass through them. If your laptop is getting too hot, turn it off and follow the steps below.

1. Let the laptop sit for about ten minutes.
2. Open the battery compartment to see if the battery is hot or swollen. If it has swelled, it needs to be replaced immediately.
3. Check the vents for dust and other debris. If anything is clogging the vents, clean it out.
4. It could be time for a new battery if it is hot after letting the laptop cool down and checking for all of these things.
5. Tip: Do not use your laptop directly on your lap for long periods of time. Instead, use a table or cooling pad underneath.

There is a lot of noise

Some noise is expected when you are using your laptop, but if you notice anything out of the ordinary, you may have reason to be concerned. You can use the above steps to troubleshoot the noise as well as check the fan, CD/DVD-ROM drive, or hard drive. It may be easier for you to take the laptop to a repair company. though.

Programs are slow or won’t run

The importance of regular maintenance/updates cannot be overstated, especially for laptops that are used for professional purposes. If you haven’t updated your computer in a while, you will need to do a few things.

• Optimize your hard drive: This will free up space on the drive.
• Delete files you don’t need: Make sure to check the desktop and any folders you don’t use regularly for files you don’t need anymore. This will help create more space and available memory for your laptop.
• Update your browser: This will help it run more smoothly and keep it secure.
• Keep all security software up-to-date: If your laptop has malware of some sort, it could cause it to run slowly, malfunction, or stop working. Anti-virus software (and other programs) can help prevent that from happening. If you already have a virus, you will need to take your laptop in to be cleaned.

Laptop and computer repair in Amarillo, Texas

These are just a few signs that indicate your equipment needs to be repaired. If you would like to learn more or need help with your hardware, contact our experts here at Andrews & Associates! You can reach us at (806) 242-1088 or view our Services to see everything we provide.