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The computer will shut down without being manually turned off.
If your computer randomly shuts down, the battery likely needs to be replaced. To replace follow this guide .
Sometimes these issues are as simple as a hard reset, and this can be done by holding the power button down until it shuts off, and then turn it back on.
The computer will not turn on when power button is pressed.
Check to ensure the adapter is plugged all the way in and the light is turned on. If it the light is not on, consider replacing the adapter because it is most likely faulty.
If the computer only works when the adapter is plugged in, and the computer does not charge, no matter the time, then it is likely a faulty battery. Replace the battery by following this guide.
The mouse pad will not move mouse pointer when touched.
If the mouse pad is not responding, the computer is likely frozen. Check to see if any of the keys will respond. If nothing is responding, hold down power button. Wait 10-15 seconds and turn computer back on. This should allow it to unfreeze.
Many laptops are equipped with a touchpad button near the mousepad, or they have an Fn series of keys to disable the mousepad. Try pressing the button, or following the correct key series to enable the mousepad. You can also check the Mousepad Settings:
Navigate to the start menu, and go to the mouse settings, under devices and printers.
Under Mouse Properties, locate your touchpad settings.
Make sure there is a check in the box next to Enable touchpad.
Apply other settings if you’d like, then click Apply.
Test your touchpad.
The computer will not emit audio.
Navigate to the volume control page, check to make sure the volume is high enough and make sure it is not on mute.
Make sure the volume is not muted inside the application you wish to run, or that the volume it sufficient.
Sometimes the operating system is not responding, and the simplest solution is to restart the computer.
If you are listening to sound, but it is all distorted, there is likely a faulty driver. Navigate to the “Drivers and Software” by searching in the search bar. Click “Audio” and download the appropriate driver. Go to “Control Panel” > Device Manager > Sound Controllers. Click on the correct sound card and then click “Update Driver”. Select the updated driver, and then reset the computer.
The key will not type specified character/ will not type at all.
Key might not be pressing down to the button that signals to laptop due to crumbs or other small particles stuck under key. Use can of compressed air, following instructions on can, to blow out particles under key.
Press down firmly on key to reattach the keycap to its bottom component, the key retainer. Snapping noise should be heard if key reattaches properly.
Key must be replaced. Gently remove key from keyboard and replace.
The screen will not respond to user, remaining stuck on same screen.
With too many programs running at once, laptop memory can overload and stop working. Hard reset the laptop by holding in power button until it turns off. Wait 15 seconds, and then press power button to turn on again.
External devices connected to laptop may cause system lockups, causing screen to freeze. To test if this is the issue, remove each external device, such as flash drives, CDs or printers for example, one by one to determine which, if any, is the source of system lock up. If external device is the cause, screen should unfreeze.
On the bottom of the laptop, there are a series of holes; these are the air vents. If there appears to be dust, hair et cetera stuck in them, the vents might be blocked, causing the system to overheat and run slower. Turn off your laptop and use a can of compressed air to sufficiently blow out the debris in the air vent until it appears clean. Restart your laptop.
External devices connected to laptop may cause system lockups, causing screen to freeze. To test if this is the issue, remove each external device, such as flash drives, CDs or printers for example, one by one to determine which, if any, is the source of system lockup. If external device is the cause, screen should unfreeze.