Oh No! Laptop Black Screen? Troubleshoot Laptop Problems

Summary: This 3-minute article examines the most common laptop problems and what you can do to fix them. Contact GEEKAID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geek-aid.com/ to discuss the best computer repair solutions for your SMB.

Long before the pandemic led to unprecedented levels of remote-access work, laptops transformed the use of computers. What laptops sacrificed in power and storage, they more than made up for by opening the door to a new world of work mobility. But no device lasts forever and just as with desktop PCs, laptops can break down for various reasons. There are several fundamental issues and methods used to troubleshoot laptop problems. You may ask, “But how can I fix my laptop?” Here are a few:

• Laptop Black Screen – Your laptop seems to turn on and boot up, yet the screen remains dark. It doesn’t matter if everything else is working. Without a screen, you cannot access and utilize your files. Try the following steps to analyze the problem:
  • Remove the Battery and Unplug the Power Supply
  • Hold Down the Power Button for One Minute
  • Plug Your Laptop Back In and Restart
  • Replace the Battery and Restart it a Second Time
  • Ensure Your RAM chips are correctly installed and check your system to see if the chips are functional. If they are not, replace them.
• Laptop Doesn’t Turn On – A laptop not powering up might be related to the AC power supply or your DC charging jack. First, check to see if your battery is charging. The big problem is that if it is not a power supply or charging issue, it could be your motherboard has failed and must be replaced.
• Laptop Makes Unusual Sounds – The laptop’s cooling fan is often responsible for unusual rattling noises. If you check the fan and it seems fine, try unplugging it to see if you still hear the strange sound. Unfortunately, if the sound is not coming from the fan, you probably have a hard drive on its way out. It would be wise to back up all your files and replace the hard drive before it fails completely.
• Laptop Keeps Turning On and Off – If you power up your laptop and it randomly turns on and off again multiple times, you probably have bad RAM modules or a failed motherboard. If it is not a memory issue, replacing a motherboard is expensive and beyond the average user’s expertise. Instead, an SMB should hire professional IT consulting services to access and replace the motherboard if needed.
• Frozen Screens and Random Shutdowns – This might be another cooling fan issue. By feeling the bottom of your laptop, you can tell if the fan is cooling sufficiently. If the laptop is hot, your fan may be dirty or malfunctioning in some way. If cleaning doesn’t work, you might need to replace the fan.
• Dimming Screen – If everything seems to be operating normally, but your screen is getting dim, you might have a backlight lamp failure or a failing screen inverter. If you can change these components, do so. If not, hire IT experts for the repair.
• Weird Screen Images – If your screen displays distorted images, try plugging your laptop into an external monitor. If the picture on the monitor is okay, you might need to replace the laptop's screen, motherboard or video cable.
• Malfunctioning Keyboard – Over time, keyboards get dirty or wear out. Sometimes keys stick or don’t work at all. Try removing all the keycaps and cleaning the caps and cap seats on the keyboard. If the keyboard still malfunctions, you might have to replace it.
• My Laptop Won’t Connect to WiFi – Before panicking, try these steps:
  • Restart Your Laptop
  • Check Connectivity Devices (modems, network adapters, routers, etc.
  • Ensure Everything is Connected, Turned “On” and has a good signal
  • Reset Your Network –
    • For Windows, Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Click Network Reset.
    • For Macs, go to System Preferences > TCP/IP Settings.
      • Click on “Renew DHCP Lease”
      • Select WiFi > Preferred Networks > Click OK
      • Using the Keychain Access Utility, remove your stored network passwords and restart your laptop.

Laptop Computer Repairs

IT Maintenance is essential to a fast, secure and smoothly running computer system and network. Laptops and all devices connected to your business network or used for doing business must be maintained regularly. They must also be analyzed for speed, ease of access and operation, and established security protocols and defenses to protect your hard-earned business data. With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems is imperative for a small to midsized business. Your IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide iron-clad cyber security for all your devices and networks. GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized Managed IT Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®'s team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT

IT Consulting Services

There are affordable options to help manage all your IT needs, from PCs and laptops to cell phones and tablets. GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized IT Consulting Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®’s team of experts is comprised of specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients on-site and remotely. The GEEK-AID^® team doesn’t clock out at five o’clock on Friday. They are available 24/7 to ensure your computers, network and data stay healthy and secure. As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability and need for regular IT support will grow, too. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, security and network protection must be consistent, proactive and not wait for a system failure or data breach to throw your small to midsized business into crisis management and recovery mode.

Call (877) GEEK-AID (877-433-5243) to evaluate and discuss your IT support needs and the steps that may be taken to keep your computer system and all its devices running at maximum speed and efficiency as your company grows.