Laptop users often have to experience various kinds of problems, which include both hardware as well as software issues. In this article, you will come across some of the most common laptop hardware problems that are often reported by the customers on various technical forums. It includes issues that are related to power supply, screen/monitor, unusual noise, and abrupt freezes or shutdown. You can also learn about the problems regarding battery charger, screen light failure and image issues on display. The article will also discuss keyboard issues and continuous beep sound on laptops.
If you are experiencing any of these errors on your laptop or computer, this content can help. As it will cover the underlying causes of these hardware issues and a few quick tips to resolve them as well.
Common Hardware Issues That Can Occur In Your Laptop
So, let’s take one hardware/software issue at a time and discuss the problems it can generate in your laptop and its corresponding solutions.
Device Not Turning On
Many times, users may face this situation when their laptop or computer doesn’t turn on at all. So, if you observe that not even a single light is blinking in the device, it can indicate some issues with the power supply.Users also face the computer data recovery problem in their device so they can easily recovery their data.
Sometimes, the wall outlet, extension cord, or power connector in your PC can be faulty. If you are using a desktop, change the defective power cable and attach a new cable in between your monitor and CPU.
In case you are using a surge protector or power strip, disconnect it from your PC and connect the power cord directly to the wall outlet.
Few users have also noticed that an incorrect power supply can also be the reason behind this problem. So, make sure that the supply unit is powering up the processor, motherboard, and other PC parts correctly.
If this issue is occuring in your laptop, a dead battery can be the actual cause. So, first, observe whether the laptop is charging when the battery is still inside the device. If it’s not charging with the inserted battery, remove it and plug in the charger. In case the laptop starts charging normally, it’s time for replacing the battery.
Blank Screen Issue
Whenever users find that their laptop’s screen is blank, many start assuming that there is a hardware defect. However, most of them forget about the software issues that can occur alongside the hardware errors.
Now, if it’s regarding device hardware, there can be a technical fault in RAM, graphics card, or even your device’s screen. To ensure that this error is not occuring due to monitor, simply connect your laptop to an external display. If the screen is completely blank even after this, something is definitely wrong with the display.
This issue can also take place if the backlight inverter is not working somehow. Also, there can be booting error in your device along with issues in the Operating System. Sometimes, lack of proper updates can also result in blank screen problem in laptops. So, it’s best to keep your laptop or computer up to date with the latest software, which is necessary for hardware operations.
Keyboard Problems In Laptops
While working on laptops, customers often find that some keyboard keys stopped working all of a sudden. It may happen with the entire keypad instead of a few specific tabs on your laptop. You can also experience wireless card keyboard problems because of corrupted hardware, software or both. Many laptops can have manufacturing defects, which may result in keyboard issues after a while. On some devices, you may find that the function keys or numpad buttons are not functioning anymore. A problem can also arise if your laptop’s keyboard has missing or broken keys, which is purely a hardware issue.
To ensure if the keyboard issue is hardware or software related, you can reboot your laptop. When your device starts booting, hit ‘Esc’, ‘Delete’ or any other appropriate key for entering the BIOS or UEFI. If the keyboard doesn’t allow you to run the BIOS or navigate around, it can mean a hardware error. However, if you are able to enter the BIOS and can access the menu, it can be a software or OS issue.
So, if the keyboard is broken or some keys are defective or missing, replace it with a brand new key panel. Sometimes, there can be cleanliness issues leading to unresponsive keys on your device. Hence, you can make use of a keyboard vacuum or fill a can with compressed air to clean the keys.
However, if there are software problems causing this error, you can reinstall the keyboard driver for the laptop. Also, check whether your laptop stops responding after installing a new program/driver. If this is the case, reboot your system in Safe Mode and uninstall the defective software.
There are some keys that may not work with all kinds of programs or apps, for example, the function keys between F1 to F12. As this will be a software issue, it may work on certain applications or browsers and will not respond in others. So, you will have to take help from a keyboard technician to resolve both hardware and software errors in your laptop.
Repeated Shutdown And Restart
When this issue shows up in your laptop, the reason a corrupted motherboard or processor. Sometimes, it can also happen if the BIOS is not working on your device or there is an overheating issue. If the device gets heated up and it is shutting down, the power cycling frequency is causing this problem. Also, don’t ignore the defective power button on your laptop, which can cause continuous restart/shutdown.
So, if your laptop turns on and off repeatedly, you can apply a CMOS reset in your device. Another way to fix this issue is by resetting the BIOS to factory default settings. In case none of these methods work, repair the loose connections inside your laptop that can cause this problem.
Noisy Laptop Fan
It is quite a common thing to notice that often, a laptop makes noise while running. This basically happens due to noises coming from your device’s fan because of overheating or dust accumulation. Usually, this problem can arise if you pay less attention to the cleanliness of your device. It may also happen if the users are running heavy programs for an extended period and not allowing the CPU to cool down.
In order to resolve this problem, you can open the Task Manager and end processes that are utilizing CPU heavily. Some users could also troubleshoot this issue by making use of laptop coolers. The cooling fan works the best when you need to maximize the airflow within the device and prevent overheating. Also, you can clean your device thoroughly to reduce noises that are generating due to dust or any other buildup. So, use proper cleaning tools for removing the dirt and see if the fan runs without producing heavy noises.
System Crash Or Freeze
When the laptop shuts down or freezes unexpectedly, it can be quite annoying for the purchaser. Especially when the system crashes in the middle of an important task due to hardware problems. So, if your laptop freezes or crashes out of the blue, it can happen due to boot errors, corrupted RAM or missing system files. A critical malware or virus attack can also be the reason behind this device error, as it affects the OS.
For resolving this issue, you can laptop repair hardware problems by consulting a certified technician. Also, you can scan the hard drives on your laptop for fixing the infected areas or replace with new memory modules. If the laptop is crashing due to an overheating issue, reduce the clock speed of its CPU.
Battery Not Holding Charge
Often, laptop users face problems with their batteries, as it doesn’t charge even when plugged into the power outlet. Some even encounter that the battery status shows it is charging but can’t hold the charge for a long time. So, if you find the battery not charging properly, it can occur due to an expired runtime. As most laptops use lithium-ion batteries, its ability to hold charge reduces over time. However, if there is an issue with the battery adapter, it can happen due to damage in the hardware. So, if your laptop has stopped charging due to a completely dead battery, you have to get a new one. Otherwise, choose another power outlet and plug the AC adapter between your laptop and socket. If there is no damage in the battery, you will see that it will charge properly with the new power supply.
Screen Backlight Failure
Many times, the screen light fails to lit up when your laptop’s motherboard has a blown-up fuse. This is the reason why the LCD screen doesn’t generate any backlight and you see nothing on the display. This backlight consists of a tiny CCFL bulb, which is responsible for illuminating your laptop’s screen. In case this bulb gets defective, or any backlight components, it can dim or fade your display. You will observe a red tint or random flickering if the LCD/LED failure is the reason behind screen light issue.
To resolve this problem, you can get your motherboard’s fuse replaced or repaired for retaining LED lights. In case its the LCD that is causing this problem, you may have to repair or replace it with a new screen.
Distorted Screen Images Or Discoloration
Users also notice distorted, strange or garbled image on the screen of their laptops, which occurs due to various reasons. It can happen if the laptop’s display settings are incorrect. For some users, a corrupted or incompatible graphics driver in devices can also result in oddly-colored imagery or strange color streaks. So, this can happen because of a loose connection between the motherboard and the laptop screen.
For resolving this error, go to the Start screen, locate an empty space on the desktop and right-click on it. Then, select ‘Display settings’ from the drop-down menu and hit the tab for ‘Advanced Settings’. Choose the pixel resolution that is recommended for your laptop and click on the ‘Apply’ button for saving the changes. After this, reboot your device and see if the problem persists.
Another way to fix this distortion issue on display is by updating the graphics driver on your laptop. So, to apply this, open the ‘Device Manager’ and locate the graphics adapter from the list of devices. Finally, right-click on the video driver and select the ‘Update’ option.
Laptop Beeps While Booting
While starting your laptop, you can hear short beep sounds repeatedly and it may also prevent your device from booting. The issue of repetitive beep sound on startup is quite a common problem for many customers. However, if the device is producing continuous long beeps, it definitely indicates a hardware error.
You can experience this problem due to defective or misaligned memory sticks. Sometimes, disconnection from a stable power source can also trigger beeps in your laptop. If the BIOS chip in your device is not installed properly or have become corrupted, it can generate beeping sounds. The same goes for your laptop’s motherboard, which can produce beeps if it is having any hardware issues.
For fixing the beeping problem during startup, you can perform a Pre-boot System Analysis on your laptop. So, as soon as you start your device, press the ‘F12’ button and select the option of ‘Diagnostics’. Then, try to repair or reinstall BIOS by following proper technical instructions or get help from a laptop repair expert. However, if the beep noise is occuring due to a problem in your motherboard or hard drives, get it repaired or replaced at the earliest.
To know more about the most common laptop hardware problems and software issues, you can ask for professional guidance. They can also help with technical methods to troubleshoot these laptop errors at affordable charges.
