Simple Solutions to the 3 Most Common Laptop Issues

Laptops are handy devices – they allow us to carry important data and documents on the go.

15:24 18 June 2019

Long gone are the days when we had to rely on a chunky computer to complete critical tasks. Now, we can do this from almost anywhere.

However, like any machine, they’re vulnerable to performance issues – but you needn’t pay a professional to fix a problem. In fact, you could easily do it yourself. Innovators like RS Components, for example, offer a wealth of tools for achieving this.

To find out how to resolve the most common laptop issues, follow our simple solutions.

1. Cracked Case

Laptops are designed to be compact and portable – and although this is useful, it can make it all too easy to drop them if we’re juggling various objects or become distracted by something. And then, of course, we could end up with a cracked laptop body (otherwise called a case).

But while it may be tempting to turn to a costly specialist, you don’t have to. Very often, all you need to fix a cracked laptop screen is epoxy putty, which is sold by most hardware suppliers.

Before applying the putty to the damaged area of the case, make sure to remove any dirt and debris within it. This is a simple and effective way to resolve the issue of a cracked laptop case.

2. Liquid Spills

Ever spilt a drink onto your laptop? Well, if so, you’re not alone. In fact, most of us have – whether it’s the result of nursing a coffee over a late-night assignment or sipping a drink while online shopping, it’s annoyingly easy to do.

And though you may think the damage it causes is irreparable, it usually isn’t. Follow this top tip, and you’ll be prepared to resolve with this issue immediately.

In the event of a spillage, the first thing to do is turn the power off, right away. It’s crucial to do this before it shuts off by itself – if you do, you’ll likely manage to rescue it in time.

Before you mop it up, it’s also vital to remove the battery and the power cord, as this will guarantee safety during the dry-up process. After all, liquids and electricals tend not to mix very well.

Once you’ve switched your laptop off, you’ll need to dismantle your laptop as much as you can, before drying each component separately.

For maximum results, why not leave each disconnected piece out to air for at least a day?

3. Noisy Laptop Fan

Noisy fans are a nuisance for many laptop owners – not only can they distract us from our work, but they usually lead us to worry about our device’s performance.

What’s more, a noisy fan is often a precursor to overheating, due to reducing cool air flow to the area, leading to inner system damage. But fear not: it isn’t tricky to repair a laptop fan.

To do this, look for your laptop’s slotted grilles (these tend to be located either at the bottom or the side of the case). Once you’ve done this, insert a plastic straw, from a can of compressed air, into a slot.

You’ll then be able to blow away the debris and dust that have gathered there. If this is ineffective, delve deeper and disassemble your laptop, to get a closer look at its fan blades.

To really assess its state, try and move the blade with your hand. If it makes a sound or seems immovable, it may need to be replaced.

When removing the existing fan, try not to bend the heat pipe; this is the slight silver or copper tube that takes heat away from a laptop’s processor.

So long as you’re careful, the new fan will easily slot into your device’s case.

Laptops are designed to be efficient, quick and easy to operate – so, why shouldn’t yours be? Now that you know how, you can easily deal with the main problems that can affect this device.