A guide to computer and laptop repair
Laptops can fail in more ways than phones, but most problems still fall into a few groups: the screen, the battery, the keyboard, or a computer that won’t start. Here’s how to narrow it down before you bring it in.
When a laptop won’t turn on
Start with the simple things. Try a different outlet, look for a light on the charger or the laptop, and unplug any USB drives or docks. Then hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds and try again.
If the fans or lights come on but the screen stays black, the screen may be the problem rather than the computer. If nothing happens at all, bring the laptop in with its charger. Chargers fail more often than people expect.
Checking a laptop battery
On a Mac, open System Settings, then Battery, and look at Battery Health. On Windows, a battery report compares what the battery holds now with what it held when new. Open Command Prompt and type powercfg /batteryreport, then open the file it creates.
A swelling battery can lift the trackpad, bulge the bottom case, or keep the laptop from sitting flat on a table. That’s a safety issue, so stop using it and bring it in.
Spills and keyboards
If you spill something on a laptop, shut it down right away, unplug it, and turn it upside down in a tent shape so the liquid drains out. Don’t turn it back on to check it. Coffee, soda, and other sugary drinks leave a sticky film that can short out parts days later, so it’s worth having it opened and cleaned.
On many laptops, including MacBooks, the keyboard is built into the top of the case, so replacing it is a bigger job than it looks. We’ll tell you what yours needs before any work starts.
Tip A laptop that still works after a spill isn’t in the clear. Back it up first, then bring it in to be checked.
Cracked, dim, or flickering screens
A crack or a line through a laptop screen means the display panel needs replacing. A screen that flickers or goes dark only at certain angles can be a worn display cable instead, which is a different repair.
A quick test: plug the laptop into a TV or monitor. If the picture looks fine there, the computer itself is working, and the problem is the screen or its cable.
Protect your files first
If the computer still starts, back up before any repair: iCloud or Time Machine on a Mac, OneDrive or an external drive on Windows. Then send a quote request with the brand and model, like Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air, and what’s going on.