Computer Repair

11 Common Laptop Issues and How to Fix Them Yourself

February 20, 2024

Having problems with your laptop can be frustrating. However, many common laptop issues can be fixed at home without taking it to a repair shop. Here are 11 of the most common laptop problems and how to diagnose and fix them yourself.

1. Laptop won’t turn on

If your laptop won’t power on at all, the issue could be with the battery, power adapter, or power jack. Try these troubleshooting steps:

Remove the battery and power adapter and hold down the power button for 30 seconds to discharge static. Then reconnect them and try turning it on.
Check the power adapter and make sure it’s plugged into the laptop securely. Test it by plugging it into another laptop if possible. Replace if faulty.
Remove and reseat the RAM in case the RAM has become loose.
Check for damage to the power jack where the adapter connects to the laptop. If loose or broken, it may need to be repaired or replaced.

If the above steps don’t work, connect the laptop to an external monitor to see if it outputs a display. If the external monitor works, then the laptop screen itself may need replacing.

2. Laptop screen is blank

There are several possible reasons why your laptop screen is remaining blank:

Loose display cable connection. Open the laptop casing and check that the display cable is connected firmly to the motherboard. Reseat the connections.
Screen backlight issue. If the screen is dim or black but you can faintly see the desktop icons, it could be a problem with the backlight. Have a technician replace the backlight.
Faulty inverter. The inverter provides power to the backlight. It can be replaced by a repair tech if faulty.
Broken LCD screen. If there is no display at all, it may be because the LCD panel is damaged and needs replacing.

You can hook up an external monitor to further diagnose the problem. If an external display works, then the issue is specific to the laptop screen and will likely require replacement.

3. Laptop shuts down randomly

A laptop that randomly shuts down without warning likely has an underlying hardware issue:

Overheating – Dust buildup in the laptop can cause overheating. Clean out the vents and fans with compressed air. Also replace the thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink if it’s dried out.
RAM issues – Check if the RAM is loose or faulty. Reseat the RAM modules and test each stick one at a time.
Faulty power jack – If the laptop loses power connection intermittently, the power jack may need to be resoldered or replaced.
Failed hard drive – Download a hard drive diagnostic tool to check if the hard drive is failing. Replace if needed.
Battery issues – If the battery is faulty, it may be intermittently cutting out power to the laptop. Test with a known good battery.

4. Laptop keyboard not working

Toggle Num Lock key – Stuck Num Lock is a common cause of unresponsive keys. Toggle it on and off.
Check for damage – Inspect for any loose, broken, or stuck keys that may be preventing key presses from registering.
Connect external keyboard – If external keyboard works, the issue is with the laptop keyboard and will need replacing.
Update drivers – Outdated keyboard drivers can cause issues. Update to latest drivers.
Remove stuck keys – Use a flat tool to gently lift any stuck keys causing input issues and clean out debris.
Loose ribbon cable – Open up the laptop and check that the keyboard ribbon cable is connected firmly to the motherboard.

5. Laptop touchpad not working

If the touchpad cursor is jumping around or is completely unresponsive, try these solutions:

Toggle the touchpad on/off function key to ensure it is enabled.
Check if the touchpad settings need adjusting in Control Panel > Mouse properties.
Update the touchpad driver from the laptop manufacturer’s website.
Press down firmly on each corner of the touchpad to check for a loose connection.
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust under the touchpad.
If hardware damage is suspected, the touchpad may need to be replaced.

6. Laptop running slowly

Close background apps – Having too many apps open consumes RAM and slows things down. Close any apps not in use.
Update windows – Make sure you have the latest Windows updates installed. Updates often include performance fixes.
Check for viruses – Run antivirus software to scan for malware that could be slowing the system.
Turn off visual effects – Disabling fancy visual effects in System Properties can help improve performance.
Add more RAM – Low RAM capacity leads to sluggish performance as memory is insufficient. Adding more RAM chips can help.
Reset laptop to factory settings – If all else fails, use the Reset This PC function to restore a smooth, clean system.

7. Overheating laptop

Excessive heat can slow laptop performance and cause system crashes. Try these tips:

Clean the vents using compressed air to remove accumulated dust. This allows for better airflow.
Use a laptop cooling pad to keep the laptop elevated and cooled.
Limit usage on soft surfaces like beds that can block vents.
Install a tool like SpeedFan to monitor system temperatures.
Replace thermal paste on the CPU to ensure proper heat transfer from the processor.
Adjust power settings to allow the laptop to sleep instead of overworking the CPU.

Sustained high heat may damage internal components, so address overheating promptly.

8. Laptop won’t connect to Wi-Fi

If your laptop struggles to find or connect to available wireless networks, try these troubleshooting steps:

Run Windows Network diagnostics – This scans for issues with the network adapter.
Check the Wi-Fi switch – Make sure the Wi-Fi toggle is turned on. Some laptops have a physical switch that gets turned off inadvertently.
Forget and rejoin the network – Go to Network Settings > Manage Known Networks and remove problematic connections. Then reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Restart router and laptop – Cycle the power on both devices to refresh the connection.
Update Wi-Fi drivers from your laptop manufacturer’s website. Outdated drivers can cause Wi-Fi drops.
Check proximity to router – Make sure you’re within the working range of your router. If not, move closer or get a range extender.

9. Laptop won’t connect to external display

If your laptop won’t detect an external display like a projector or monitor, try these steps:

Press the display toggle shortcut on your keyboard (often Fn + F5 or a function key with a projector icon) to cycle through display options.
Check the video cables for loose connections and inspect for bent pins. Connect cables directly without dongles if possible.
Download updated graphics drivers for improved external display connectivity.
Adjust display settings using Windows Key + P to choose Project mode.
For HDMI issues, try using a different cable or connecting directly to the HDMI port if using an adapter.
If hardware issues are suspected, connect the external display to another laptop to test.

10. Faulty touchpad cursor

If the touchpad cursor is jumping around erratically on a laptop, try these troubleshooting tips:

Clean the touchpad surface gently with a microfiber cloth to remove oil and sweat that can interfere with responsiveness.
Toggle the touchpad off and then back on using the keyboard button to reset the touchpad hardware.
Adjust touchpad sensitivity and pointer speed in Windows Settings to find an optimal level.
Update the touchpad driver from the laptop manufacturer’s website. Old drivers can cause glitches.
Adjust palm rejection settings to prevent accidental touches if your palm grazes the touchpad during typing.
If issues persist, the touchpad hardware itself may need replacement.

11. Poor laptop battery life

To improve laptop battery life:

Lower screen brightness and set a shorter screen timeout period.
Quit resource-heavy applications like video streaming or games when not in use.
Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services if not needed.
Disable keyboard backlights and pointing device LEDs to conserve battery.
Run a full battery calibration by fully charging and then fully discharging.
Check battery health in Windows and replace battery if capacity is low or “Fair” condition.
Remove battery for 30 seconds to reset if battery percentage is stuck at a level.
Set maximum battery charge capacity to 80% or lower for longevity if laptop stays plugged in frequently.

With some targeted troubleshooting and DIY repair techniques, many common laptop performance issues can be addressed without the hassle and expense of professional repair. Always remember to back up important data before undertaking any major hardware repair or replacement work. With perseverance, you can get your laptop working like new again.