Before you open any computer, do these steps. Shut the computer down. Unplug the power cord. Then hold the power button for 10 seconds. This drains leftover power. On a laptop, unplug the charger too. Never open a power supply box itself. Never work on a computer that is plugged in. If a laptop battery looks swollen or puffy, stop. Do not press on it. Take it to a shop. They can take it out safely.
Simple repair guides for desktops and laptops. Each step tells you to do one thing. Each guide lists the tools first. You use tools most homes have: screwdrivers, a flashlight, a can of air, and an old credit card. You do not need a repair shop bench.
Pick the problem that matches yours. Do the checks in order. Start at the top. Each check is safe and quick. If the checks do not fix it, use the full guide link at the end.
Tap a guide to open it. The tools are listed before the steps. Get all the tools ready first. Then you will not have to stop in the middle of a job. Each guide has a Listen button. It reads the steps out loud. This helps when your hands are inside the case.
Nothing matched that search. Try a simpler word — “screen”, “fan”, “slow” — or tap All guides above.
You do not need special shop tools. Most jobs use the tools below. Most homes have them. A few cost a little at a hardware store. Each tool says what jobs it is for.
Use this tool first for most jobs. Size #2 fits most desktop screws. Sizes #1 and #0 fit laptop screws. Pick the size that fits the screw well. A good fit will not damage the screw head.
Used forRAM, SSD swap, power supply, graphics card, battery, screen, keyboard, cleaning — nearly all of them
This is a small set with tiny bits. Some bits are star-shaped. They are called Torx T5 and T6. Some thin laptops use star screws. A normal driver cannot turn them. This is the one special tool worth buying.
Used forLaptop battery, screen, and keyboard jobs on models with star screws
Slide this tool into the edge of a laptop case. Slide it along the edge. The plastic clips will pop open. It will not scratch the case. An old credit card works the same way. Never pry with a metal screwdriver. Metal can dent the case. Metal can also short a battery. Short means electricity goes the wrong way and can cause damage.
Used forLaptop battery, screen, keyboard, cleaning a laptop
Use tweezers for small parts your fingers cannot reach. Use them to lift tiny flat cables. Use them to pick up a dropped screw. Use them to pop out the small round CMOS battery. A CMOS battery is a small coin battery that keeps the clock and settings.
Used forLaptop battery, screen, keyboard, CMOS battery
The inside of a case is dark. The words on parts are small. Shine a light inside. Read the labels before you unplug anything. You should be able to read each label clearly.
Used forEvery job inside a case, and the won't-turn-on checks
This blows dust out of fans and vents. Use short bursts. Hold the can upright. Hold the fan still with one finger. This stops the fan from spinning too fast. Take the computer outside if you can. The dust cloud is large.
Used forCleaning fans and vents, thermal paste job (blowing the heatsink clean)
Brush off dust that air does not move. Brush fan blades gently. Brush the thin metal fins gently. A clean paintbrush works. A clean makeup brush works too.
Used forCleaning fans and vents
This small stick can start the computer when Windows will not start. It can hold a Windows installer. It can hold a memory test. Warning: all files on the stick are erased when you make it into a start stick. Use a spare stick.
Used forReinstalling Windows, MemTest86 memory test, SSD swap (backup)
Alcohol cleans off old thermal paste. Thermal paste is grey paste that helps heat leave the processor. The processor is the main chip that does the thinking. Coffee filters wipe clean. They leave no lint. Do not use paper towels. They leave small fibres behind.
Used forThermal paste job
Put screws from each step in their own space. Keep them in order. Laptop screws can be different lengths but look the same. A long screw in the wrong hole can crack the case. When you are done, each space should be empty.
Used forEvery laptop job, power supply, screen
Use ties to hold cables away from fans. Do this after a power supply swap or a graphics card swap. Bread-bag twist ties work fine. Keep loose ends out of the fan blades.
Used forPower supply, graphics card
Static is the small shock you feel from your body. Static can damage parts. A strap helps stop static. You can also do this free way. Touch bare metal on the case before you touch parts. The case must be unplugged. Touch the metal again each time you come back to the machine. Do not work on carpet in socks.
Used forRAM, SSD, graphics card — anything where you handle bare circuit boards
Some fixes need software, not tools. The first group is already in Windows. You do not need to download it. The second group is free. Each link goes to the maker's own page. Do not use other download sites. They can add junk you do not want. Each tool says which guides use it.
This shows what is using the processor, memory, and disk right now. The processor is the main chip. Memory is short-term working space, also called RAM. You can stop a frozen program here. You can also stop apps from starting by themselves. Too many start-up apps are a top cause of a slow computer.
Open itPress Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Used in guidesSpeed up a slow computer · Add or replace RAM (check what you have) · Blue screen crashes
This shows what is filling your drive. The drive is where files are stored. You can safely clear temp files. Temp files are short-term files you do not need. You can clear update leftovers. You can empty the recycle bin. A drive that is almost full makes the computer slow.
Open itSettings → System → Storage
Used in guidesSpeed up a slow computer
This scans the drive for errors. It looks for bad spots. It tries to fix what it can. Run it first when a drive acts strangely.
Open itOpen Command Prompt as administrator, type chkdsk C: /f, press Enter
Used in guidesBlue screen crashes · Swap a hard drive for an SSD
This checks Windows system files. It compares them to fresh copies. It replaces files that are damaged. Damaged files can cause crashes after a bad update or when a drive is dying.
Open itCommand Prompt as administrator, type sfc /scannow, press Enter
Used in guidesBlue screen crashes · Speed up a slow computer
This is a quick test for RAM. RAM is the memory the computer uses while it works. The test restarts the computer. The test runs before Windows loads. You see the result when you log back in. For a deeper test, use MemTest86 below.
Open itStart menu → type “Windows Memory Diagnostic”
Used in guidesAdd or replace RAM · Blue screen crashes
This lists every part in the machine. A yellow warning mark means a part has a problem. You can update a driver here. A driver is small software that lets Windows talk to a part. You can also go back to an old driver here. You can remove and reinstall a driver here.
Open itRight-click the Start button → Device Manager
Used in guidesInstall a graphics card · Replace a laptop keyboard · Blue screen crashes
This is the built-in rescue kit. Startup Repair tries to fix Windows that will not load. Safe Mode starts Windows with only basic drivers. This helps you find a bad driver. Reset this PC reinstalls Windows. You can choose to keep your files.
Open itSettings → System → Recovery — or hold Shift while clicking Restart
Used in guidesReinstall Windows · Blue screen crashes
This makes a report about your laptop battery. It shows how much charge the battery held when new. It shows how much it holds now. If full charge is under about 70% of the new amount, the battery is worn out. No setting can fix it. A new battery may fix it.
Open itCommand Prompt, type powercfg /batteryreport, press Enter, then open the report file it names
Used in guidesReplace a laptop battery
This reads the health report inside your drive. It shows one word: Good, Caution, or Bad. Caution means back up your files today. Plan to buy a new drive.
Used in guidesSwap a hard drive for an SSD · Blue screen crashes · Speed up a slow computer
This shows live temperatures. It also shows fan speeds. Most processors are fine under about 85 °C when working hard. Near 100 °C means the cooling needs help. Cooling means fans and parts that move heat away.
Used in guidesClean the fans and vents · New thermal paste
This is a deep test for RAM. You put it on a USB stick. The computer starts from the stick. The test checks RAM again and again. Let it do at least one full pass. Overnight is best. Any red error means a bad RAM stick.
Used in guidesAdd or replace RAM · Blue screen crashes
This is Microsoft's tool to make a Windows 11 install USB stick. You start the computer from the stick. You use it to repair Windows or install Windows fresh. It comes from Microsoft. The copy of Windows is clean.
Used in guidesReinstall Windows
This small free tool writes a file onto a USB stick so the computer can start from it. The file is called an ISO file. An ISO file is a copy of an install disc. Use Rufus when the Media Creation Tool does not work. Use it to put MemTest86 on a stick.
Used in guidesReinstall Windows · Add or replace RAM (MemTest86 stick)
This scans for bad software. It finds adware and browser hijackers. Adware shows unwanted ads. A browser hijacker changes your browser without asking. Normal antivirus may miss these. The free version scans when you ask it to.
Used in guidesSpeed up a slow computer · Blue screen crashes
Use these for Samsung SSDs. An SSD is a fast drive with no moving parts. Magician checks drive health. It updates firmware. Firmware is built-in software inside the drive. Data Migration copies your old drive onto the new Samsung SSD. Windows and your files come across whole.
Used in guidesSwap a hard drive for an SSD
Run this scan before you buy RAM or an SSD. It reads your exact machine. It lists parts that will fit. It shows RAM type and max size. It shows the drive fitting. This stops wrong-part orders. Wrong parts are a common problem.
Used in guidesAdd or replace RAM · Swap a hard drive for an SSD
Diagnostics are built-in tests for parts. Dell, HP, and Lenovo machines have them. The test runs before Windows starts. Dell: use the F12 boot menu. Boot means start up. HP: use F2. Lenovo: use its boot menu. The test can check the drive, memory, and fan in one go. Get exact steps for your model from the maker links below.
Used in guidesWon't turn on · Blue screen crashes · Replace a laptop battery
Each maker's site works the same way. Type your model or serial number. Serial number means the unique number for your one machine. You will get your machine's manual. You will get the right drivers. You will get BIOS updates. BIOS is the first software that runs when you turn the computer on. You will see warranty status. Warranty means the maker will fix it free for a set time. Your model's manual is better than a general guide for screw spots and part numbers. If this page and your manual say different things, follow your manual. Find the serial number on a sticker under the machine or on the back. Dell calls it a Service Tag.
Get manuals, drivers, BIOS, and warranty for your Dell. Use your Service Tag to find them. Dell service manuals show clear steps.
Have ready: Service Tag (sticker on the case or under the laptop)
Dell Support →Get drivers and manuals for HP laptops and desktops. Get help to fix problems. Download HP PC Hardware Diagnostics here. Diagnostics means tests for parts.
Have ready: serial number (sticker underneath, or press Fn + Esc in Windows)
HP Support →Get drivers and hardware manuals for ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Legion, and Lenovo desktops. Manuals show full take-apart steps. You can check parts lists and warranty here.
Have ready: serial number (sticker underneath the laptop)
Lenovo PC Support →Use the ASUS Download Center. Get drivers, BIOS, tools, and manuals. This covers ASUS laptops, desktops, and motherboards. A motherboard is the main board all parts plug into. It covers ROG gaming machines too.
Have ready: model name (sticker underneath, or on the motherboard box)
ASUS Download Center →Get drivers and manuals for Acer laptops and desktops. Search by serial number. Or search by SNID. SNID is a shorter code.
Have ready: serial number or SNID (sticker underneath)
Acer Support →Get support, downloads, and manuals for MSI gaming laptops, desktops, motherboards, and graphics cards. You can ask for repair service here. Repair service is called RMA.
Have ready: model name (sticker on the machine or box)
MSI Service & Support →Get official manuals for every Mac. Most Macs have memory and storage soldered in place. Soldered means joined with melted metal. You cannot upgrade those parts. You can still get diagnostics steps and help to reinstall macOS here.
Have ready: Mac model (Apple menu → About This Mac)
Apple Mac Manuals →This is Apple's own do-it-yourself program. Buy real Apple parts here. Rent pro tools here. Read the same manuals Apple techs use. It works for some Macs and iPhones.
Have ready: serial number and the manual ID from the repair manual
Apple Self Service Repair →Get official Windows help from Microsoft. Use the Get Help app. Use troubleshooters. A troubleshooter is a tool that looks for a problem step by step. Get activation help and repair-install help here.
Have ready: your Windows version (Settings → System → About)
Microsoft Support →This is not a maker. It is a large free library of photo guides. Each guide shows how to take a machine apart step by step. It covers thousands of laptop and PC models. Use it with your maker's manual.
Have ready: your exact model name
iFixit PC Laptop Guides →