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Laptop not working showing common laptop problems and solutions

Laptop Not Working? 8 Common Problems and Step-by-Step Solutions (2026)

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Is your laptop acting up? Before you rush to a repair shop, try these proven fixes! Most laptop problems can be solved in minutes with the right troubleshooting steps. Here’s your complete guide.

Why Laptops Stop Working Properly

Common laptop issues include:

  • Overheating and sudden shutdowns
  • Won’t turn on or charge
  • Slow performance and freezing
  • WiFi connectivity problems
  • Black screen or display issues
  • Battery draining too fast

Quick Fixes to Try First

Fix 1: Laptop Won’t Turn On

The most frustrating problem! Here’s how to diagnose it.

What to check:

  • Battery completely drained
  • Loose power adapter connection
  • Hardware button stuck
  • Display appears off but laptop is on

Test it:

  • Press and hold power button for 30 seconds
  • Remove battery (if removable), press power button for 15 seconds, reconnect and try
  • Try power adapter in different outlet
  • Look for LED lights when plugged in
  • Connect external monitor to check if display is the issue

Pro Tip: If LED lights come on but screen stays black, your laptop might be on but the display is faulty. Try pressing Windows key + P + Down Arrow + Enter to switch display modes.

Fix 2: Overheating and Shutting Down

Laptops shutting down randomly? Heat is usually the culprit!

Signs of overheating:

  • Fan running constantly at high speed
  • Bottom of laptop extremely hot
  • Sudden shutdowns during use
  • Performance slowing down
  • Hot air blowing from vents

How to Fix:

  • Check air vents – Shine a flashlight on all vents. Dust buildup blocks airflow!
  • Clean the vents – Use compressed air (hold can upright, 6 inches away from vents), give short bursts while laptop is OFF
  • Elevate your laptop – Use a laptop stand or thick books to improve air circulation
  • Use on hard surfaces – Never use laptop on bed, pillow, or soft surfaces that block vents
  • Check Task Manager – Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, look for programs using high CPU
  • Close unnecessary programs – Background apps generate heat

Prevention:

  • Clean vents every 2-3 months
  • Consider a cooling pad for gaming or heavy tasks
  • Keep laptop in air-conditioned rooms when possible

Warning: Don’t open laptop casing yourself unless you’re experienced. Internal cleaning should be done by professionals.

Fix 3: WiFi Not Connecting

Can’t get online? Try these steps in order.

Quick WiFi Fixes:

  • Toggle Airplane Mode – Turn it on for 10 seconds, then off
  • Restart WiFi router – Unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in
  • Forget and reconnect – Go to WiFi settings, forget network, reconnect with password
  • Check WiFi is enabled – Look for physical WiFi switch or Fn key combination (usually Fn + F2 or F3)
  • Update WiFi drivers – Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click WiFi adapter → Update driver

Advanced Fix:

  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Type: netsh winsock reset and press Enter
  • Type: netsh int ip reset and press Enter
  • Type: ipconfig /release and press Enter
  • Type: ipconfig /renew and press Enter
  • Type: ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
  • Restart laptop

Fix 4: Laptop Running Slow

Speed up your sluggish laptop with these proven methods.

Immediate Fixes:

  • Close browser tabs – Each tab uses memory
  • Check startup programs – Windows Settings → Apps → Startup, disable unnecessary programs
  • Clear disk space – Delete temporary files, empty recycle bin
  • Scan for malware – Use Windows Defender or reputable antivirus
  • Check RAM usage – Task Manager → Performance tab, if RAM is at 90%+, you need more memory

Deep Clean (takes 15-20 minutes):

  • Run Disk Cleanup – Search “Disk Cleanup” in Windows, select drive C:, check all boxes
  • Disable visual effects – System Properties → Advanced → Performance Settings → Adjust for best performance
  • Defragment hard drive – Search “Defragment” (only for HDD, not SSD!)
  • Update Windows – Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
  • Consider upgrading to SSD – Replacing old hard drive with SSD gives massive speed boost

Fix 5: Battery Draining Too Fast

Make your battery last longer with these adjustments.

Check Battery Health:

  • Generate Battery Report (Windows 11/10):
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
    • Type: powercfg /batteryreport
    • Open file at C:WindowsSystem32battery-report.html
    • Check “Design Capacity” vs “Full Charge Capacity”

What the numbers mean:

  • 90%-100% of design capacity – Battery is healthy
  • 70%-89% – Battery degrading but usable
  • Below 70% – Battery needs replacement

Extend Battery Life:

  • Lower screen brightness – Biggest battery drain!
  • Enable Battery Saver – Windows Settings → System → Power & Battery
  • Close background apps – Settings → Privacy → Background apps
  • Disable Bluetooth when not needed
  • Turn off keyboard backlight
  • Use dark mode – Saves power on OLED screens
  • Reduce screen timeout – Settings → System → Power & Sleep

Fix 6: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Those dreaded blue screens can often be fixed!

Common Causes:

  • Corrupted system files
  • Driver conflicts
  • Hardware issues
  • Failing hard drive

Steps to Fix:

  • Note the error code – Write down the STOP code (e.g., “DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”)
  • Boot in Safe Mode – Restart → Hold Shift while clicking Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced → Startup Settings → Safe Mode
  • Run System File Checker – Open Command Prompt as Admin, type: sfc /scannow
  • Check disk errors – Command Prompt: chkdsk C: /f /r
  • Update all drivers – Device Manager → Update each device driver
  • Uninstall recent programs – Think about what you installed before BSOD started

Fix 7: Keyboard Not Working

Frustrating when keys stop responding!

Quick Fixes:

  • Restart laptop – Solves 50% of keyboard issues
  • Check if keyboard is disabled – Device Manager → Keyboards → Right-click → Enable
  • Try external keyboard – Helps identify if it’s hardware or software
  • Check for stuck keys – Debris under keys can cause multiple keys to fail

Clean Keyboard:

  • Turn off laptop
  • Turn upside down and gently shake
  • Use compressed air between keys
  • Wipe keys with slightly damp cloth (barely damp!)
  • For sticky keys, use cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol

Specific Key Not Working:

  • Try on-screen keyboard – Search “On-Screen Keyboard” in Windows
  • Update keyboard driver
  • If spill damage, keys may need replacement

Fix 8: Laptop Making Strange Noises

Unusual sounds can indicate problems.

Types of Noises:

  • Grinding/clicking from hard drive – Hard drive failing, backup data immediately!
  • Loud fan noise – Overheating issue, clean vents (see Fix 2)
  • High-pitched whining – Coil whine, usually harmless but annoying
  • Beeping on startup – Hardware error, count beeps and search error code

When to Get Professional Help

Visit a repair shop if:

  • Laptop won’t turn on after all fixes
  • Physical damage (cracked screen, broken hinges)
  • Water/liquid damage
  • Frequent blue screens continue
  • Hard drive making clicking sounds
  • Laptop overheats even after cleaning
  • Battery swollen or bulging

BreakFixNow Singapore offers:

  • Free diagnostic testing
  • Same-day laptop repairs
  • Screen replacement while you wait
  • SSD upgrades and RAM installation
  • Complete motherboard repair
  • Data recovery services
  • Warranty on all repairs

Prevention Tips

Keep your laptop running smoothly:

  • Clean vents regularly – Monthly compressed air cleaning
  • Use surge protector – Protects from power surges
  • Proper shutdown – Don’t force power off unless frozen
  • Update regularly – Windows updates fix bugs and security issues
  • Avoid eating/drinking near laptop – Spills are expensive to fix
  • Use laptop bag – Protects from bumps and drops
  • Keep laptop cool – Don’t block vents, use on hard surfaces
  • Install antivirus – Prevents malware that slows performance

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I restart my laptop?
At least once a week. Restart clears memory and installs updates. Daily is even better if you use it heavily.

Why does my laptop fan run constantly?
Check Task Manager for programs using high CPU. Update drivers, clean vents, or reduce workload. Gaming laptops naturally run fans more.

Can I upgrade my laptop’s RAM?
Most laptops allow RAM upgrades, but some (like MacBooks and ultrabooks) have soldered RAM. Check your laptop model specifications online.

Should I keep my laptop plugged in all the time?
Modern laptops stop charging at 100%, so it’s safe. However, occasionally letting battery drain to 20% then recharging helps calibrate it.

How long should a laptop battery last?
2-4 years or 300-500 charge cycles. Heavy users may need replacement sooner. If battery life is under 2 hours, consider replacement.

Related Laptop Services

Need more laptop help? Check out these guides:

  • MacBook Repair Services – All MacBook repairs
  • SSD Upgrade Guide – Speed up your laptop
  • Screen Replacement Costs – Display repair pricing
  • Complete Laptop Repair Services – All laptop repairs

Need Professional Laptop Repair in Singapore?

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Service Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 AM – 8 PM

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