Laptops are a great way to use technology on the move, but no matter how well you take care of your device, you will still encounter one or two issues along the way. Fortunately, the most frequent laptop problems are very easy to fix. You also don’t need to invest in costly repairs because most of these issues can be resolved even if you aren’t very technically minded.
Here are the most common laptop problems that you may come across, and easy solutions on how to fix them.
The Laptop is Overheating
Overheating on any technical device is bad news. It causes major performance issues and you may even notice that your laptop just dies or freezes without reason. This is most often a result of poor ventilation. You may have your laptop sitting in a place where a lot of dust and air pollution can get in. Move your device to a table for example, or place brackets underneath the laptop to lift it off the surface.
Laptops that overheat often may also be from a clogged air filter or the fan isn’t operating properly. Routinely clean out the air vents and check that the fan is plugged in properly. You may also need to update your BIOS, so be sure to check with the laptop manufacturer every few months if there is an installation file for heat management.
Your Laptop is Running Slowly
Over time, and depending on how old your laptop is, you may start to notice that it runs much slower than you are used to. This is possibly the most common issue that users complain about. Luckily for you, a slow machine is often due to a lack of hard drive space or some particular software that takes up resources. Simply delete some files on the laptop, especially videos, and remove the software that may be causing the issue.
In other cases, your slow laptop could be the result of too little RAM. That’s why it is so important to check the specifications of any laptop before you buy it. Most people need a minimumof 6GB of RAM to be able to run multiple applications at once.Lenovo.com, for example, has affordable laptops with a standard of 8GB of memory, which is more than enough for the average laptop user.
The Battery Dies Quickly
Most people keep their laptops plugged in permanently for fear that they will just shut down while in use. The reality is that constantly charging a laptop battery depletes it quicker than if you just left it unplugged. The first step is to drain your laptop battery completely, and only charge it then. Think of it as giving your laptop a good night’s rest. With technology, sometimes just giving the equipment a break can make all the difference.
Another simple fix is that your charger’s connectors aren’t fitting into the port correctly. Check to see that the cable isn’t frayed and that the charger is fitting in nicely and tight. If these steps fail, then you need to look at a new battery.
Laptops in general make your life so much easier, but you also need to know what to do if you encounter these common problems. It could mean the difference between an easy at-home repair job and a costly expense with a technical professional.