A laptop is a crucial computing device for work, school, and entertainment. But like any machine, they can start to glitch or have mechanical problems that hamper the user experience, especially if it has seen better days. It’s not “if” an issue will arise; it’s a matter of “when.” So when you do have a problem, try the following fixes.
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The speed of your computer is reliant on the amount of hard drive and memory space it has. The more space it has, the faster and smoother it runs. But over time, that space will become smaller and slow your computer down.
One of the reasons your space becomes smaller is wear and tear. You will create temporary files and programs as you run, download, or install programs. Those files occupy space, and the programs may be running in the background without your knowledge. So over time, your computer starts to slow down. To solve the problem, you may have to:
Install and run antivirus software. Sometimes the programs running in the background are malware which you will need to identify and remove.
Use the System Configuration to navigate the Startup tab and disable non-essential programs taking up space whenever you boot your computer.
Launch the Add or Remove Programs screen to uninstall programs you don’t need.
Use the Disk Cleanup utility to delete unnecessary files like temporary files.
Add more hard drive or RAM to your computer.
A touchpad is an essential feature that makes a laptop mobile. You may have a mouse, which is handy, but the touchpad becomes necessary when you are without one. A touchpad enables you to travel light and work in compact spaces. If your touchpad is frozen, here are a few solutions to unfreeze it.
Make sure that it’s just the touchpad that isn’t working. It might be a rare glitch if other components, like the keyboard, aren’t working. Rebooting your computer should solve this issue.
Your touchpad may not be working due to a function key. Function keys can turn the touchpad on or off, so you might have engaged it by mistake. Toggle the function key on and off to see if the touchpad will work again.
Some accessories like a mouse, tablet, or external touchpad can automatically disable your built-in touchpad. A solution will be to unplug all USB devices and turn off your Bluetooth.
The touchpad may be disabled or misconfigured under Settings. On Windows, you’ll need to go to Settings, click on Bluetooth & Devices, and then touchpad. On a Mac, you’ll find the settings under Accessibility controls.
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to update your driver.
Suppose you are having problems with the WiFi. In that case, it may be that your laptop doesn’t see the available WiFi, you connect to the WiFi, but there’s no internet access or an error due to authentication to WiFi failure.
Most WiFi issues occur when logging on a network for the first time or after you’ve deleted a WiFi connection and trying to log in again. Some other causes are faulty WiFi network configuration, modem or router, network hardware or drivers, antivirus software, or firewall blocking your connection. Here are some solutions you can use:
Modems and routers run for long periods, so they can start to fail after a while. A simple reboot should solve the problem. If not, you can do a hard reset or reconfigure your settings.
If your laptop has a WiFi switch, make sure it is on.
Make sure you have the correct password. It may have changed.
Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter or Mac’s Wireless Diagnostics app to diagnose and automatically resolve WiFi connection problems.
Manufacturers have made significant progress in battery quality, while computer efficiency has improved. It’s now possible to have a budget laptop with hours of battery life, and some high-end computers can have 14-hour battery life. But you may still want to extend your laptop’s battery life, and here is how you can go about it:
Use the Windows performance management tool to reduce how much settings, programs, and other activities consume your battery.
Close any programs or web pages you are not using; they consume resources in the background. If you are working offline, turn on Airplane mode, or switch off Bluetooth and WiFi connections to conserve battery.
If you type “See which apps are affecting your battery life” in the Windows search bar, you will glimpse the programs that consume the most battery power. After that, you can make decisions on how to manage them.
If you have a high-performance graphics card, you can reserve it for gaming and graphics-intensive apps that need it. Other programs can get by on the efficient on-CPU silicon for graphics processing.
Heat can deteriorate your battery, so ensure that it is well ventilated. You shouldn’t block the air vents with pillows, blankets, dust, or anything.
Carry an external battery as a backup.
A laptop can randomly power off due to any number of issues, including power supply, hard drive, malware, or outdated drivers. If the power supply is the issue, you may need to replace it. You need to be extra careful because messing with the power supply can be dangerous. You can get a professional to do it for you by searching for “computer and laptop repair near me.”
Physical damage on the hard disk can be another cause of random shutdowns. You will need to check for scratches, burns, or breakages to rule it out. If you find any damage, you will need to replace it. Malware can cause your system to overwork itself and shut down. Update antivirus and conduct a full system scan to see if malware is overworking the system.
Your laptop is an essential tool. Take care of it, and it will last longer and will continue to perform efficiently. By applying the solutions and tips in this article, you will be better prepped for dealing with the most common issues, technical or otherwise, that affect your laptop’s performance.
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