Top 3 Reasons Laptops Fail (and How to Prevent Them)

Laptops work hard and travel a lot. These three issues cause most failures we see on the bench.

1) Liquid damage (coffee, tea, rain)

  • What happens: Liquids short components; corrosion sets in within hours.

  • If it happens:

    • Turn it off immediately, unplug, don’t charge.

    • If the battery is removable, take it out.

    • Bring it for board cleaning ASAP—speed matters more than brand of liquid.

2) Drops & pressure (cracked screens, loose connectors)

  • What happens: Hairline cracks, broken hinges, or storage damage.

  • Prevention:

    • Use a padded sleeve; avoid stacking heavy items on the lid.

    • If the screen shows lines/flicker after a knock, back up files and get it checked.

3) Ageing batteries (swelling & surprise shutdowns)

  • Signs: Rapid drain, random power-offs, trackpad lifting, uneven base.

  • What to do: Replace the battery before it swells (it can damage the case and trackpad). We dispose of old batteries safely.

Good habits that save laptops

  • Keep ventilation clear (don’t block fans).

  • Use a surge-protected charger.

  • Back up important files (cloud or external drive).

  • Consider an SSD if you still have a hard drive.

Consultation is £0. Not sure what’s wrong? We’ll diagnose and give you a fixed quote.
Serving Oldham and nearby areas with free pickup options.

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