A broken computer can mean many things. Your laptop or PC is not turning on, seeing an error message, stuck in a boot loop, or a completely dead machine. However, unless you have dropped your laptop and completely shattered it, you can often fix it yourself.

Here are a few things you can try to revive your non-responding PC before you dial up the service center.

What Not to Do When Your Computer Stops Working

The first thing to do when your PC stops working is not to panic. You are more likely to revive your PC and recover data through a systematic diagnosis than pushing random things, removing hardware, and hitting your PC in hopes that something will suddenly "click."

Your computer can stop working due to many reasons. Often faulty power connectors, internal and external hardware issues, bad software, hard drive failure, and display issues are the culprits. Here's how to diagnose your system to determine the cause and fix the problem.

1. Laptop Won’t Turn On

Laptop charging indicator

Press the power button, and nothing happened? Unfortunately, it can happen for many reasons, the least of which would be a dead machine that needs replacement.

For a laptop, check if it has enough charge to power on. If not, connect the power cord to your laptop and let it sit idle for a minute, and then press the power button to turn it on.

Almost all the OEMs equip their laptops with a power indicator. So, check the indicator to determine if your laptop is charging. In a rear instance, you may see the power indicator blinking. It usually suggests a hardware failure including issues with your power connector, RAM, or even a faulty motherboard.

2. Troubleshoot Screen Issues or a Black Screen

If the power supply is working, diagnose the system for screen issues. Make sure the power button is lit and disconnect all the external devices connected to your computer. If you hear fan noise, use the dedicated brightness keys on your keyboard to increase the brightness.

If the issue persists, connect your laptop to an external display if available. Setting up an external display on a Windows computer is easy, but you will have to work in the dark here.

Assuming the laptop is powered on, hit the space bar and type the credentials to log in. Next, press the Fn + F4 function key four times to switch the image from PC Screen Only to Second Screen Only. If your external display shows an image, you may have a faulty display to repair.

That said, some display-related symptoms may require professional help, especially if your computer is still under warranty. For instance, if your laptop screen is flickering and going dark, it may need to replace the screen inverter. While you can perform the replacement yourself, consider contacting your PC maker to avoid voiding your warranty.

3. Troubleshoot Abrupt System Shutdowns

If the power supply is past its lifespan, you may experience abrupt shutdowns during use. For a laptop, check your device's battery health. Manufacturers like Lenovo allow you to analyze battery health through proprietary software.

If the CPU overheats, your system will shut down automatically to prevent further damage to internal components. Check your laptop’s fan for dust, pet hair, and other debris clogging the air vents and affecting the cooling solution.

Related: How to Clean Your Desktop PC

3. Check CMOS Battery and PSU

CMOS battery replacement

On older systems, the CMOS battery is a common cause of power issues. If you have noticed issues during boot up, constant beep noise from the motherboard, or repeated time and date reset, the CMOS battery may require a replacement.

Insufficient power supply due to a faulty PSU (Power Supply Unit) is another known cause of system failure. High-pitched noise and ozone smell are usually a sign of your PSU going kaput. If you have a substitute known-good unit available, use it and check if the problem disappears.

4. Diagnose Hard Drive Failure

diagnose-hard-drive

It is unlikely that your hard drive will fail without any signs. Telltale signs of a failing hard drive include sluggish performance, frequent freezes, partial data corruption, and an unusual clicking sound.

To determine the hard drive failure, power on your computer and see if you can hear the drive spin up. If not, check the SATA and power cable connections to the drive and the motherboard.

Try connecting the hard disk to another computer. You can use an external SATA-to-USB adapter to connect the drive. Next, download a storage testing software such as HDDScan and scan for errors. If it works there, you may have other hardware, such as a faulty motherboard to deal with.

If you determine the hard drive has failed and it is under warranty, contact the manufacturer. Some companies can help you retrieve data from a dead hard drive and transfer it to the replacement drive.

If it is out of warranty, you can still try to repair the dead hard drive yourself.

5. Unresponsive Trackpad and Keyboard

If the keyboard or trackpad on your laptop is not working, the obvious solution is to use an external pointing device. A faulty keyboard can have many reasons, and on older devices, largely a hardware failure. Refer to our guide to troubleshoot and fix laptop keyboards.

Laptop trackpads are least likely to fail, and when they do, it is most likely software related issue. Corrupt touch device drivers and incorrect touchpad settings are the common causes for this problem. Refer to our laptop trackpad troubleshooting guide to diagnose and fix touchpad-related issues.

6. Blue Screen of Death

A Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), also known as a stop error, often occurs when Windows encounters a critical error. Often, bad software and faulty hardware can trigger these errors.

Since there are multiple versions of stop error, it does not have a go-to solution. However, you can use the stop error code or message to identify the problem and find a potential fix.

If the error occurred after installing new hardware, undo the changes and reboot your PC to see if that helps. Additionally, look for corrupted device drivers and faulty Windows upgrades that may have triggered the error.

Fortunately, dealing with a blue screen error is easier than it seems. You can explore our comprehensive guide on troubleshooting the blue screen of death error in Windows for more resources.

7. Check for Other Hardware Issues

check for hardware issues

If none of these troubleshooting steps worked, look for potential hardware issues. If you have recently installed hardware like a RAM kit, remove it and check for any improvements. Major issues with the motherboard can render your PC useless and often require a replacement.

Most computers come with a one-year warranty and optional extended warranty. Reach out to your computer maker via call or email to get repair assistance. The warranty, in most cases, cover damage to the internal hardware not caused by the owner.

Fixing a Windows PC That Won't Turn On

Fixing a computer is no rocket science, and more often than not, you can fix computer-related issues by yourself. Most computer manufacturers have an online knowledge base to help users troubleshoot common computer errors. Try all the steps in the article before you decide to take your computer for service.