Why Won’t My Laptop Turn On? (and Other Common Laptop Issues)

Laptops are reliable personal computers for people of all levels of tech savviness. However, even the most durable and simply designed laptops may have occasional performance issues. In this blog, we’ll cover some common questions we hear troubleshooting with our computer repair clients over the phone or in our store. If you don’t find the answers you need here, we’re ready to help with the laptop repair services you need in Tucson.

Laptops usually connect to the internet wirelessly rather than through hard wired connections. If your laptop won’t connect to a local Wi-Fi network, there are a few potential reasons why. First, it’s helpful to make sure the problem isn’t with the network itself. You should check if other devices, such as your smartphone, are successfully connected to the Wi-Fi network. If it seems to be an active and functional connection for other devices, try restarting your computer. This is such a common troubleshooting step for a reason—it frequently solves the problem. Next, re-enter the Wi-Fi password and see if you can connect. You should also double check that your device isn’t in airplane mode and that you have the wireless adapter enabled. These settings are easily found in your computer’s control panel.

If you’re still experiencing issues with your Wi-Fi connection, there may be a hardware or software issue at work. Reinstalling or updating your network adapter driver may be necessary to get your laptop connected to the internet.

Not sure if your laptop is Bluetooth enabled? On a Windows laptop, simply select Start and type “Bluetooth”. Bluetooth Settings and Devices will pop up in the menu, and then you can enable Bluetooth connectivity and pair your device.

It may be an annoying question to hear, but when your laptop won’t turn on it’s likely that any computer technician will ask “Is it plugged in?” Even if you’re fairly sure that your laptop has a charge, try plugging it in and give it a few minutes to charge before booting up. If the power cord isn’t the problem, there may be an issue with an internal component, such as the battery or mother board. If the computer won’t turn on at all, bring it to our repair shop for a closer look at the internal components.

Alternatively, you may experience that the computer turns on, but your system doesn’t boot up. You might only see a blank screen or an error screen. If you have some skills with system diagnostics, you can access advanced boot options with the function keys on your keyboard. Otherwise, our technicians are here to help!

If your problem isn’t “Why won’t my laptop turn on?”, but rather “Why won’t my laptop charge?”, there are a few different culprits to consider. First is the battery. If your laptop is plugged in but won’t take a charge, remove the battery (if possible). Hold down the power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual charge in the laptop. Then, plug in your charger without the battery in place. If the laptop turns on, the battery is the problem. Fortunately, our shop can quickly get you on your way with a new one.

If the battery test is a bust, you may have a faulty charger. It’s worth checking to see if the charger works in a different outlet. Sometimes, the issue may be as simple as a defunct wall outlet. If you do need a new charger, visit Smart Parts PC instead of ordering one online. Many laptop chargers look alike but won’t actually work on all devices they appear to fit into. We’ll make sure you get the right charger for your device the first time around.

After a simple setup process, you can easily print from your laptop via a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to a printer on the same network. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled printers only work within close range, so wireless printing isn’t without its limits.

To set up a wireless printer, you’ll install drivers for the device through your Control Panel in Windows. Select Advanced Printer Setup in “Hardware and Sound”. Then, choose to add a wireless printer and download any necessary drivers and software. Once your device is set up, you can select this printing option whenever you print a document or image from your laptop.

For any type of laptop repair or parts, call Smart Parts PC at (520) 468-2320. As an essential business, we are open for in-store shopping and computer repairs. However, you can also arrange curbside drop-off and pickup for your device.