Electronics
How-to guides to diagnose and fix electronic devices such as phones, laptops, TVs, WiFi routers, printers, power banks, earphones and monitors: the checks that are safe to do yourself and when to take the device to the official service centre.
- WiFi keeps dropping or is slow: router, channel and placement
WiFi that keeps dropping does not always mean the internet itself is down. Here is how to pin down where the problem is, followed by the router and laptop steps from TP-Link and Microsoft.
- One side of TWS earbuds not working: re-pairing, charging case and charging contacts
TWS earbuds that only play on one side are often just not charged, dirty at the charging contacts, or no longer paired to each other. Here are the checks, in order, from Samsung and Apple.
- LED TV has sound but no picture: input, cables, settings and when to get service
A TV with sound and a black screen does not always have a failed panel. Often the cause is the wrong input source, an HDMI cable, the set-top box or the Sound only setting. Here are the checks, in order, and the signs that the problem is inside the TV.
- TV or AC remote not working: batteries, IR sensor and the phone camera test
A remote that stops working usually has a problem with its batteries, an obstacle, or a light that interferes with the sensor. A phone camera can show whether the remote still sends a signal. Here are the steps from Samsung, Sharp and Modena.
- Printer not feeding paper or ink not coming out: cleaning the print head and rollers
A printer that will not feed paper and a printer whose ink will not come out need different checks. Here are the steps in the order the Canon manual gives them; they also work as a general guide for inkjet printers from other brands.
- Power bank not charging or draining fast: when it is still safe to use
A power bank that will not charge is often just in protective mode or on the wrong charger and cable. Here is how to check it, based on the Xiaomi manual and Anker's guides, and the signs that a power bank is no longer safe.
- Monitor showing no signal: cables, input and display settings
A no signal message means the monitor is on but is not getting a picture from the computer. The cause is almost always the wrong input, the cable, the wrong port or a frozen PC. Here are the checks, in order, from LG, Dell and Microsoft.
- Laptop not turning on: checks from the power adapter to a power reset
A laptop that won't turn on often just lacks power or is stuck on a leftover electrical charge. Here are the checks, in order, from the adapter to a hard reset, based on the ASUS and HP guides.
- Laptop overheating and noisy fan: vents, dust and power settings
A loud laptop fan during gaming or rendering is normal, but constant heat usually comes from blocked vents, dust, or apps that hog the processor. Here are the checks, in order, based on the ASUS and Microsoft guides.
- Phone not charging or charging slowly: cable, port and settings
Most phones that won't charge have a problem with the charger, the cable or a dirty port, not the battery. Here is the order of checks, including moisture warnings and the settings that stop charging halfway.
- Phone overheating during use: apps, charger, battery and when to stop using it
A phone that gets warm while gaming or charging is often normal. Here is what causes real overheating, which settings to check on the phone, and the battery warning signs that mean a trip to the service center.
- Laptop battery draining fast: how to read the battery report and what you can change
Windows has a built-in battery report that shows the design capacity, the current capacity and the last few days of use. Here is how to read it, which settings you can change, and when the battery should be replaced at a service center.