Laptop Not Working? Here’s How to Fix the Common Laptop Issues

Published: 31 Jan 2025

We’ve all been there: Your laptop gets really slow, crashes during a presentation, or won’t connect to Wi-Fi when you need it. Laptop problems can be frustrating, especially when you need it for work or educational purposes. Most common laptop issues, like slow performance and overheating, can be solved with straightforward methods. We’ll help you find the main reasons for these issues and provide simple solutions to keep your laptop working well.

Table of Content

1. Why Is My Laptop Slow?

A slow laptop can be frustrating, whether you’re working, learning, or gaming. Various factors can cause your laptop to slow down over time. Let’s take a look at some frequent causes and how to fix them.

Common Problem of a Slow Laptop

Too many background programs: Running multiple apps can overload the system.

Low storage space: A nearly full hard drive slows performance.

Outdated drivers or software: Old software can cause lag.

Malware or viruses: Harmful programs can slow down the laptop.

Overheating issues: Heat affects performance and may cause automatic slowdowns.

Old hardware: If your RAM or hard drive is outdated, your laptop may struggle.

How to Fix a Slow Laptop

Here are some solutions for slow laptops to increase your laptop speed.

✔ Close unnecessary apps

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows) and check for high CPU or memory usage.

Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager on Windows.

End tasks that are slowing your laptop.

✔ Clean up storage space

Delete junk files and clear temporary data.

Use Storage Sense (Windows) or Disk Cleanup to free up space.

✔ Disable startup programs

Too many startup apps can cause slow boot times.

Go to Task Manager > Startup and disable unnecessary apps.

✔ Upgrade RAM or switch to SSD

If your laptop has 4GB RAM or less, consider upgrading for better speed.

Switching from HDD to SSD makes a significant difference.

✔ Scan for malware or viruses

Use Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software to remove threats.

✔ Keep your system updated

Update Windows, macOS, and drivers regularly.

Use Device Manager to check for outdated drivers.

2. Laptop Battery Drains Too Fast

A laptop with a weak battery can be frustrating, especially if you’re working on the go. If your laptop’s battery drains quickly, there are several possible reasons. Let’s look at the causes and fixes.

Why Is My Laptop Battery Draining Fast?

Too many background apps: Apps running in the background consume power.

High screen brightness: A bright display drains the battery faster.

Outdated drivers or software: Bugs in outdated software can affect battery life.

Battery wear and tear: Over time, batteries lose their ability to hold a charge.

WiFi, Bluetooth, and peripherals: Keeping them on when not needed drains power.

Power-hungry apps and processes: Gaming, video editing, or streaming uses more battery.

How to Fix Laptop Battery Issues

Here are some solutions for laptop battery issues to improve your laptop’s battery performance.

✔ Adjust power settings

Switch to Battery Saver Mode in Windows or macOS.

Lower screen brightness and turn off keyboard backlighting.

✔ Close unnecessary background apps

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and end high-power apps.

Disable unnecessary startup programs.

✔ Unplug external devices

USB devices, external hard drives, and other peripherals consume power.

Unplug them when not in use.

✔ Update drivers and software

Go to Device Manager > Battery Drivers and update them.

Keep your operating system updated.

✔ Check battery health

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

In the Command Prompt, type the (powercfg /batteryreport) and press Enter:

This command will generate a detailed battery report and save it as an HTML file.

In Command Prompt, type the battery-report.html and press Enter:

If the battery is severely degraded, consider replacing it.

3. Why My Laptop Overheats

Does your laptop feel too hot? Overheating is a common laptop issue that can slow performance and even cause hardware damage. Let’s look at the causes and fixes.

Why Does My Laptop Overheat?

Blocked air vents: Dust buildup prevents proper airflow.

Too many background tasks: High CPU usage generates excess heat.

Using the laptop on soft surfaces: Placing your laptop on a bed or couch blocks ventilation.

Fan not working properly: A faulty cooling fan can’t keep the laptop cool.

How to Fix an Overheating Laptop

Here are some ways to reduce laptop overheating and keep it running cool.

✔ Clean dust from vents and fans

Use a can of compressed air to blow out dust.

Open the laptop (if possible) and clean the cooling system.

✔ Use a cooling pad

A laptop cooling pad improves airflow and lowers temperature.

✔ Monitor CPU usage

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and close apps using too much CPU.

✔ Keep the laptop on a hard, flat surface

Use a laptop stand or keep it on a desk for proper ventilation.

4. Laptop Turns On and Off Repeatedly

If your laptop keeps restarting on its own, it could be due to hardware or software issues.

Why Does My Laptop Keep Restarting?

Overheating: The laptop shuts down to prevent damage.

Faulty power supply or battery: A damaged charger or weak battery may cause reboots.

Corrupt system files: Damaged Windows or macOS files can lead to restarts.

Hardware failure: A faulty RAM stick, hard drive, or motherboard issue could be the cause.

How to Fix a Laptop That Keeps Restarting

Try these fixes to stop your laptop from restarting repeatedly and run it smoothly.

✔ Check for overheating

Follow the overheating fixes above to rule out heat issues.

✔ Inspect the charger and battery

Try using another compatible charger.

If your battery is old, consider replacing it.

✔ Run a system file check

Open the Start Menu, search for Command Prompt, and click Run as administrator.

In Command Prompt, type this command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.

Wait for the Scanning Process to Complete.

Windows Command Prompt running the SFC /scannow system scan.

After the scan finishes, restart your laptop to apply the repairs.

✔ Disable automatic restart

Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Startup and Recovery and uncheck “Automatically restart.

5. Keyboard or Touchpad Not Working

If your keyboard and touchpad not working on your laptop, it can make using your laptop difficult. Here’s how to fix it.

Software glitches: A bug may cause temporary unresponsiveness.

Driver issues: Outdated or missing drivers can affect input devices.

Physical damage: Spilled liquid or wear and tear can damage keys.

Touchpad disabled in settings: Some laptops have a function key that disables the touchpad.

How to Fix Keyboard and Touchpad Issues

Here are some solutions to fix keyboard and touchpad issues for a smoother experience.

✔ Restart your laptop

Sometimes, a simple restart fixes unresponsive input devices.

✔ Check if the keyboard/touchpad is disabled

Press Fn + F6/F7/F9 (depending on your laptop brand) to enable the touchpad.

✔ Update or reinstall drivers

Press “Window + X” and click on Device Manager.

Find Keyboards / Mice and Pointing Devices and update drivers.

Windows Device Manager highlighting the keyboard and touchpad settings.

✔ Try an external keyboard or mouse

If they work fine, your built-in keyboard/touchpad may need replacement.

✔ Check for physical damage

You may need a keyboard replacement if you spilled liquid on your keyboard.

6. WiFi Connectivity Issues

Having trouble connecting to WiFi? Here’s why your laptop might not be connecting to the internet.

Router problems: The issue might be with your internet, not your laptop.

Network adapter issues: A faulty adapter can block connectivity.

Outdated drivers: Old WiFi drivers can cause connection failures.

Too many connected devices: Some routers limit the number of connected devices.

Airplane mode is on: Accidentally enabling airplane mode disables WiFi.

How to Fix WiFi Issues on a Laptop

Try these fixes to resolve WiFi problems on your laptop and enjoy a stable connection.

✔ Restart your laptop and router

Turn off your router, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

✔ Check Airplane mode

On Windows, press “Windows + A” and disable Airplane mode.

✔ Forget and reconnect to WiFi

1. On the Taskbar, click on the WiFi icon (bottom-right corner).

2. A list of available networks will appear.

3. Right-click on your connected WiFi network and select Forget.

4. After forgetting, click on the same WiFi network again and select Connect.

5. Enter the WiFi password if prompted, and you’re reconnected!

7. Power Problem Laptop

If your laptop does not turn on or keeps shutting down, power problems might be the cause. A faulty battery, damaged charger, or internal hardware failure may be preventing it from working properly. In certain scenarios, a simple loose connection can cause starting failures.

How to Fix Power Issues

Verify charger functionality: Use another compatible charger or try a different socket.

Remove and reinsert the battery: If your laptop’s battery is removable, take it out, wait a few seconds, then put it back in.

Perform a hard reset: Hold down the power button for 30 seconds while unplugging the charger, then turn it on again.

Check for physical damage: Look for a damaged charging port or defective power button.

8. My Laptop Is Too Noisy

A noisy laptop can be bothersome and might point out a deeper problem. The most typical causes include dust buildup in the cooling fan, overheating, and high CPU consumption. If the noise comes from the hard drive, it could indicate a failing disk.

How to Fix a Noisy Laptop

Clean the cooling fan: Use compressed air to remove dust from the vents and fans.

Reduce background tasks: Open Task Manager and close high-usage programs to reduce CPU pressure.

Use a cooling pad: Helps regulate temperature and reduce fan noise.

Check for hard drive failure: If your HDD is making clicking sounds, backup your data and consider replacing it.

9. Screen Problem in Laptop

A dark screen, flickering display, or distorted visuals might make using your laptop hard. Screen difficulties can be caused by software faults, loose display cables, or even actual screen damage. In some circumstances, wrong display settings or outdated drivers can cause issues.

How to Fix Laptop Screen Issues

Restart your laptop: A simple restart can resolve minor display issues.

Check brightness and display settings: Ensure screen brightness is not turned down and the resolution is correct.

Update graphics drivers: Go to Device Manager > Display Adapters, then right-click and select Update Driver.

Connect to an external display: If the external monitor works properly, the problem is most likely with your laptop’s screen.

10. USB, HDMI, or Other Ports Not Working

If your USB, HDMI, or other laptop ports are not working properly, it could be due to dust buildup, driver difficulties, or a defective port. A faulty or loose connection may prevent external devices from being identified.

How to Fix Non-Working Ports

Test with a different USB or HDMI cable: Identify the source of the problem.

Clean the ports with compressed air: Remove any dust or debris that may be blocking the connection.

Update or reinstall drivers: Open Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers or Display Adapters, then update the drivers.

Restart your laptop: This may help restore port functionality.

Can computer repair shops steal your data without a password?

Yes ,Most repair shops follow ethical practices, but a dishonest technician could access your files if they remove your hard drive and connect it to another computer. To protect your data, back up important files and encrypt your drive before handing over your laptop. Choosing a trusted repair shop reduces the risk of data theft.

Can I use my laptop while charging?

Yes, you can use your laptop while charging, and it won’t harm the battery. Modern laptops have built-in power management to prevent overcharging. However, using it for heavy tasks like gaming may cause overheating, so ensure proper ventilation.

Conclusion

Laptop issues can be frustrating, but with the right fixes, you can resolve most problems on your own. This list of laptop problems and solutions covers common issues like slow performance, overheating, and battery drain, along with easy troubleshooting steps. If these fixes don’t work, professional help might be needed. Is this guide helpful? Please share it with others who might need it!