How NOT to Repair Your Laptop: 6 Common Mistakes

Unlike desktop computers that remain still, your laptop is your most trusty portable sidekick for accomplishing essential documents or playing games on the go. Thanks to their portability, you can easily access information anywhere at your fingertips, as long as you have a stable internet connection. However, since we carry them around with us a lot, they’re more vulnerable to accidents and hardware failure. 

Hopefully, you wouldn’t find ways to actively abuse your laptop that can lead to early device failure. While luck may save your device, it’s still best to know the familiar sources of laptop damage to keep yours in its best performance for as long as possible. 

Here’s how NOT to repair your laptop with these six common mistakes.

1. Improper Handling

Some laptops can tolerate a lot of mishandling, but some models are more sensitive to abuse.  

While desktop computers remain stationary on desks, portable devices, including premium models, are more vulnerable to abuse. One obvious way to not repair your laptop is to handle them carelessly.

Grabbing it at any corner with a loose hand is a bad idea as it can add stress to the hinges. And broken hinges or surrounding materials can ruin your screen. Also, picking up your laptop solely by the display and optical disc drive can also bend it out of shape.

The best way to handle a laptop (open or closed) is to pick it up firmly with both hands. 

2. Improper Transportation

Laptops don’t take shakes very well, and they aren’t indestructible just because you shoved them in a bag.

High-quality laptop bags with protective tops and bottoms can protect your device from daily bumps and bangs, while cheap ones with laptop-sized compartments usually lack protection. 

You may also opt for a padded sleeve to protect your device from jolts while preventing the other objects in your bag from scratching its exterior. However, like a lousy bag, a cheap sleeve might be too thin to protect your laptop.

3. Mangled Cables

Power cables usually can’t handle all the twisting and bending since they’re lighter and easy to move. 

Another way to ruin your laptop instantly is to wrap its cables around everything in sight and twist them at weird angles. 

Avoid applying too much stress on your laptop cables, which can weaken the plug and damage the socket. Velcro or adjustable zip ties can help keep your cords together safely.  

4. Ignoring the Problem of Overheating

A fan or cooling system is responsible for expelling your device’s internal heat. However, an obstruction can cause your laptop to reach dangerous temperatures and overheat. Furniture, carpets, and blankets are surfaces that can spell trouble. 

Besides furniture, carpets, and blanketed surfaces, excessive dust buildup in the fan can clog it and its internal airways. 

Regular internal cleaning keeps your fan at its optimal performance. 

5. Handling Hard Drive Roughly

Several modern laptops have a solid-state drive or flash storage that is more resilient to motion, while older models have mechanical hard disk drives that are more vulnerable to damage. 

Gentle laptop handling and adjustments can help reduce the risk of broken hardware. You should also know the early signs of SSD failure. 

6. Browsing Unprotected

Browsing the web without virus protection caps off our steps on how to kill your laptop immediately.

Installing antivirus software can help protect your device from viruses and malware (malicious software). However, contact your local repair shop to remove the viruses if your computer is under attack.

The Takeaway

Your laptop is essential, especially if you’re always on the go. However, its portability and easy access to the internet make it more vulnerable to damage. It’s crucial to handle and maintain it properly to ensure a longer lifespan. 

ILL IT Solutions is a small local business based in Essex providing reliable and affordable laptop repair services for all makes and models. Get in touch with us today!