If you’re looking to extend the life of your laptop without breaking the bank, there are some simple repairs you can do at home. These tips are sure to help keep your laptop working like new for years. However, there are cases when DIY repairs won’t cut it anymore; hence, if you’re wondering where to repair laptop, we got you!
First, clean out all the dust and debris inside your computer by taking a can of compressed air to toot into a laptop’s vents (or unscrew and open a desktop tower). This will keep your hardware running smoothly and prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
1. Clean the Keyboard
The keyboard on your laptop can get pretty gross over time. The crumbs, dust, skin, and oil from your fingers collect quickly and create a sticky film that can be hard to clean.
The good news is that you can easily clean your keyboard using products you probably already have on hand. These include cotton swabs or a ball of rubbing alcohol, as well as a can of compressed air (available at office supply stores).
Start by shaking the keyboard over a trash can to remove visible crumbs and debris. You can also gently pat the back of the keys to get them moving and loosen any stuck crumbs that might be clinging to the keyboard.
Once the keys are loose, use a cotton swab or ball of isopropyl alcohol to wipe down all of the surfaces of your keyboard. This will help to get rid of any germs and oils that might be stuck on the surface.
Repeat the process until your keys are completely clean. Once you’ve cleaned all the surface areas, it’s time to wipe them down with a dry lint-free cloth.
This is a simple and effective way to keep your laptop keyboard in tip-top shape, so you can enjoy it for years to come! You can do this in just a few minutes every so often, and it’ll save you time and money in the long run.
2. Clean the Hard Drive
When it comes to tech devices, laptops have a reputation for being one of the most disposable. They typically last two to four years, and if you want to extend their lifespan, there are some simple fixes that will help your device run longer.
One common fix for sluggish computers is to clean the hard drive. This process will clear out temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin and remove a variety of other old files that you no longer need.
Taking the time to do this will also make your computer work faster and more efficiently. It will free up valuable space for more important files.
If you use your computer for both work and play, then you should be aware that a laptop can become cluttered with unnecessary files. These files can take up a lot of space and slow down your device.
It is recommended to perform a disk cleanup on your computer at least once per month. This will allow you to easily see the size of all the files and delete those that you no longer need.
Fortunately, Windows 10 and macOS offer some handy tools that can be used to do this. These include Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense, which allow you to manually view file sizes and automatically delete temporary files and other junk. These tools are especially useful if you frequently download large files and need to ensure that they don’t take up too much space on your hard drive.
3. Clean the Screen
The screen of a laptop is vital to the performance of the device. So when it starts to look a little grimy, you’ll want to make sure that you know how to clean your screen safely.
First of all, it’s important to take the time to check your manufacturer’s manual. Many computer manufacturers have a section on their website that outlines the proper care and cleaning for your specific device.
Next, you’ll want to find a microfiber cloth or similar cleaning material that is safe for use on your display. These materials are usually lint-free and free from fibers that could scratch your screen.
After you’ve found a good cloth, dampen it with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or a cleaning solution. Then, wipe the surface of the screen using gentle, circular motions.
In addition to keeping the screen free from dust and smudges, this process can also disinfect the screen. You’ll want to be careful not to use any harsh chemicals on your screen, as these can strip away the coatings that protect it from damage.
If your laptop has a glass-coated screen, like the ones found on Apple’s iMac and MacBook displays, be extra careful when cleaning. The delicate coatings on these screens can be damaged by abrasive products, such as diluted rubbing alcohol or Windex.
4. Clean the Fan
A laptop’s fan is an essential part of the cooling system that keeps your CPU and GPU from overheating. Overheating can lead to damage to the hardware, which will ultimately shorten its lifespan.
Dust is one of the worst culprits for clogging laptop fans and vents. It can also impede the ability of the fan to dispel heat, making your machine work harder than it should and shortening its lifespan.
Cleaning your laptop’s fan regularly is a simple way to extend the life of your computer, as it will help to keep your hardware healthy and functioning at its best. The most effective method involves using compressed air to coax the dust out of the crevices.
Compressed air is easy to find at most stores and is a simple and inexpensive way to clean your laptop’s fans. However, it is important to use it in short bursts so you don’t cause damage to the fan or your laptop’s internal components.
Another way to clean your laptop’s fan is to remove the bottom panel and blow it out. This will require the use of a screwdriver and a lint-free cloth. You can also remove the fan itself and brush it. This will require more hands-on work, which may void your warranty.
5. Change the Battery
The battery is the most important part of your laptop and it has a big role to play in its lifespan. It serves as the main source of energy for your computer, which means it degrades over time and starts to affect performance.
If your laptop’s battery is in bad shape, it can cause a number of problems and you may want to replace it. The good news is that replacing your laptop’s battery doesn’t have to be a complicated process.
You’ll just need to be careful and take your time with the procedure. If you’re not sure how to handle this task, you can always bring it to a repair shop and have a professional do the work for you.
Another thing you can do to prolong the life of your battery is to charge it up more often. This is important because it will maximize the battery’s capacity.
When you’re charging your battery, make sure to keep it at a level that is between 40% and 80% of its capacity. This will help the battery last longer and it will also ensure that your computer is not overheating as a result of it being plugged in all the time.
When it comes to removing the battery, you’ll have to be careful and you’ll need to take your time with the procedure. If you’re unsure how to remove your laptop’s battery, you can always bring it to a shop and have a professional do the work.
6. Replace the Keyboard
If the keys on your laptop are stuck or the keyboard isn’t working at all, you may need to replace the keyboard. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to do, and you can usually find replacement keyboards for around $20.
First, you’ll need to remove some screws on the bottom of your laptop. The exact location of these screws varies, but they’re typically recessed in the bottom of the laptop and are circular.
To remove the screws, place your laptop upside down on a flat surface and look for an icon that indicates a screw. Some laptops also have a rubber piece that covers them, so you’ll need to pry out that cover as well.
Once the screws are removed, flip your laptop back over and use a small pry tool to loosen the tabs that hold the keyboard in place. Once the tabs are released, gently slide the keyboard up and out of the laptop.
Then, disconnect the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the laptop’s motherboard. Some models feature release tabs that you push out, while others have a long tab that slides outward.
Once you’ve disconnected the ribbon cable, set your old keyboard aside and install your new one. If your replacement keyboard isn’t compatible with your laptop, you can get more-precise instructions online. But as a general rule, replacing your laptop’s keyboard is a simple process that requires a few tools and some time.
