Your laptop is probably one of your most prized possessions, seeing as how it works as your portable computer and workstation. Yet, at the same time, laptops are one of the most neglected devices in terms of care. This affects your laptop’s performance and can have a domino effect on your laptop’s ‘health’.
Laptop users commonly face issues with their laptop overheating, battery running out too fast, keys and mouse pad damage, viruses, system slowing down or ‘crashing’.
Let’s take a look at the common issues we can face with our laptops and what the experts advise we need to do to care for them.
Lack of Care- Dust Clogging
“While there are so many laptop issues that I can think of, I’d like to mention the most ignored one. Many people don’t realize that their laptop hardware and software problems are caused by a lack of care. It is possible that they don’t know how to properly care for the laptop because they are not familiar with its components. It’s surprising how many people don’t know that dust has to be cleaned occasionally from their laptops. This is because all the accumulated dirt blocks the airflow through a laptop on it. Consequently, your CPU’s cooling fan will not be able to function properly, and the temperatures in your system will be higher than normal. While it’s ideal to take it apart and reassemble after cleaning, the easier way is to shake the debris out or blow the gunk out with compressed air. Disinfectant wipes can help as well.”
Raju PP, the editor of TechPP.com
Can’t Connect to Wireless Network
“Expecting to be able to connect to any wireless network, whether in an airport, coffee shop, or hotel, is part of bringing your laptop everywhere. Wireless networks, on the other hand, are fussy animals by definition.” Alex Claro recommends checking your Wi-Fi toggle when having issues connecting to the internet, “To enable wireless networking, some laptops have an external button or switch that is distinct from the software settings. Make sure the WiFi toggle is turned on at all times. Check to see whether the network you’re connected to is broadcasting its network name or SSID.”
Downloads Are Taking Too Long
“If you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, download Speedtest.net and run a speed test to determine your download and upload speeds. With a ping under 100 milliseconds, your Internet speed should be at least 50% of your service provider’s advertised speed. If the speed is excellent, be sure you’re not unintentionally downloading or uploading anything. To improve your internet access, reset your router and modem. Reset buttons are included on most routers and modems, but you may simply remove the power line for a few seconds. If you turn off the power for an extended period of time, the device may revert to factory defaults. If all else fails, recycle it with Recycle You Tec.”
Alex Claro, VPN Analyst Credit Donkey
Overheating
“Overheating can degrade your laptop’s performance and result in a variety of issues, including system crashes and freezing. Every computer generates a significant amount of heat, but laptops are particularly vulnerable to overheating due to their tiny size and lack of ventilation. Excessive dust can jam air vents, preventing cold air from reaching the CPU. Cleaning out these air vents with a cloth or keyboard cleaner may frequently alleviate overheating concerns.” says Bram Jansen, the Chief Editor of vpnAlert.
Jansen recommends using filter cloths to protect your laptop from dust, “Place a filtered cloth, such as one from a Swiffer, over the breathing vent to prevent further dust accumulation. Place one away from the exhaust vent, which is where hot air is meant to swiftly exit the system.. If the cloth does not work, you may need to upgrade your BIOS, which controls the hardware on your laptop. Most manufacturers include an installation file that automatically updates BIOS files, which frequently handle heat management. When upgrading the BIOS, check sure your notebook is connected to the power source.”
Short Lifespan for Laptop Battery
Battery-life draining too fast is a major concern for laptop users; as Caroline Lee, the Co-Founder of CocoSign, says, “Laptops use lithium-ion batteries that tend to lose their ability to hold a charge with time. If you do not take care of your machine, it will only take you a few years to begin experiencing severe battery problems. You can prevent this from happening so soon by doing one thing, never operate your laptop plugged in on a fully charged battery. Otherwise, you might need to fix this by replacing your laptop battery.”
Virus and Spyware Infestation
“This is arguably one of the most dreaded laptop issues.” Caroline Lee advises using antivirus software to protect against malware and spyware; “The first line of defense for such issues is installing credible antivirus software such as Norton 360 or Kaspersky. Such antivirus software are impressive with their unobstructive security suites that provide outstanding antivirus and spyware protection. If you do not want to spend money, you can always go for free trial versions of the antivirus software but be careful what you subscribe to.”
Outdated Drivers
“Another common laptop problem is issues with new games or software that require the latest version of video-card, audio, and network drivers. Waiting till your drivers become obsolete can interfere with the performance of the machine and derail your project. You can always prevent this by keeping your computer on automatic updates. Or you can install software like Bit Driver Update to help you make regular updates.”
Caroline Lee, Co-Founder CocoSign