Troubleshooting Steps To Try Before Bringing Your PC For Repair
Before bringing your desktop or laptop in for repair, it is often worthwhile to perform some basic troubleshooting steps at home. Many common computer problems are caused by minor issues that can be resolved quickly without professional help. Trying these simple checks first can save both time and money, and it can also help you better explain the problem if a repair visit becomes necessary, often reducing the cost for diagnosis.
One of the first things to distinguish is whether your problem is power related, system related, or software related. If the computer will not turn on, ensure that all cables are firmly connected and that the power outlet is working by testing it with another device. For laptops, confirm that the charger is properly plugged in and that any charging indicator lights are on. If possible, try a different power cable or adapter. Sometimes the issue is as simple as a loose connection or a drained battery. If your system is not turning on at all, and you have checked the connections, that is a clear reason to bring the computer in for professional diagnosis.
If your computer does turn on, and is simply restarting, freezing, or crashing, this can sometimes be fixed by checking for driver or operating system updates. Other software related issues can be addressed by performing a system restore, as an interrupted Windows update can often result in corrupt system files. If the system fails to boot, sometimes system restore can be your only recourse without professional help. Rest assured, if your system turns on but does not boot, this does not always require hardware replacements. I typically recommend bringing such a system in for a data backup and clean installation of the operating system.
If you just built a brand-new PC, and are getting power but no display, there are some common reasons I run into on a regular basis. One issue is that the system memory (DDR4 or DDR5) may not be listed on the QVL (Qualified Vendors List) for the motherboard. This has become a prevailing issue on the latest Intel platform. In today’s market, it can be hard to get a good deal on memory while also adhering to the QVL, but it can be worth it if you are working with a brand-new platform (which tends to be the scenario where the QVL is worth checking).
Double checking that the memory is fully seated in the correct slots is another common solution, which can be addressed easily. One trick to be able to narrow down a no display issue, is to press the power button once after you have waited for five minutes for memory training. If the system instantly turns off, this can often mean your system is posted into the BIOS/UEFI, but your display is not working. This could mean an issue with your monitor, display cable, graphics card, or simply not plugging into the correct port for display.
Other common causes for no display can be a faulty power supply or loose connection. Double checking that all components are fully seated can be a big-time saver here. Many power supplies also include a tester so you can verify functionality out of box. Some other slightly less common issues are shorts and bent CPU socket pins. After you have checked the easy connections, I would advise checking that the board is being held in the case by all screws on the outer edge, and that all motherboard standoffs were installed. This is something that generally should be checked before installing the motherboard, but is a common mistake when building a PC, as not all cases come with all motherboard standoffs installed where they need to be for your motherboard.
One other point to note on this subject, is that some cases may have a standoff installed where one should not be, which means that metal standoff could be making contact with an electronic component on the back of the board. It is important to check such things as early as possible during the build process, as they can sometimes cause damage to components in the system. After these things have been checked to no avail, it is worth it to remove your CPU cooler and double check that there are not any bent pins. A common cause for bent pins is over-tightening one corner of a CPU cooler before securing the other three corners. I recommend screwing down a cooler with two rotations at a time, alternating from corner to corner, to prevent this issue.
Sometimes, if you got a board from a second-hand source or open box, it may have had bent pins upon arrival, so it is worth checking that before proceeding to install the CPU in such a case. If you catch bent pins on a CPU socket, it is generally better to pursue a return rather than attempt a repair. I have repaired many damaged CPU sockets over the years, so you do the option of bringing it in for repair, if a return is not an option. Bear in mind that CPU socket repair is not 100% guaranteed, as a CPU socket is a very delicate part of the system, and damage is not always within the realm of repair.
For laptops, it is helpful sometimes to hold down the power button for 30 seconds, to reset settings that could be preventing the machine from turning on correctly. For display related issues on laptops, it can be helpful to plug the machine into a secondary display, to help narrow down the issue, before bringing it in for diagnosis. I generally do not recommend attempting hardware repairs on a laptop on your own, if you are not a technician. This can cause more problems, leading to a more costly repair.
In conclusion, performing basic troubleshooting before visiting a repair shop can resolve many common desktop and laptop problems or, at the very least, clarify their cause. By checking power connections, restarting the system, updating software, checking physical connections, users can often avoid unnecessary repairs and approach professional service better prepared if it becomes necessary.
