Boost performance away from the mains, repair a faulty display, and fix sticky keys and typing glitches
Can't connect to Wi-Fi
Lots of things can cause Wi-Fi blocks. First, check that your laptop’s Wi-Fi is actually switched on. There might be a small physical switch for this on your laptop, or it might be activated by holding down the Function (Fn) key while pressing a key with a Wi-Fi or antenna icon. Next, click the Wi-Fi icon in the Notification Area at the far right of your Taskbar, click your Wi-Fi network in the list, then click Connect. Type your network password if prompted. If you’re using a public hotspot (in a cafe, for example), it often initially seems you can connect without a password, but chances are you’ll need to log in via a web page when you launch your browser and try to visit a website. Ask the organisation running the hotspot for the login details.
No image or rotated display
If you can’t see anything on your screen, you may have inadvertantly pressed a key combination that directs video images to your laptop’s external display connector. Hold down the Function (Fn) key while tapping the display-switch key (one of the numbered F keys along the top). If the display is rotated or upside down, try pressing Control (Ctrl)+Alt+up arrow or Shift+Alt+up arrow to correct it.
Slow operation using battery
Many modem processors save energy by varying their speed, but this can lead to sluggish performance, especially if you’re operating on battery power. You might find BIOS options to disable this behaviour entirely (press F2 or Delete after switching on to access your BIOS), or go to your Control Panel, then Power Options. Select the ‘High performance’ button, then click ‘Change plan settings’ followed by ‘Change advanced power settings’. Scroll through to find ‘Processor power management’ then experiment with the performance percentages for both ‘Minimum processor state’ and ‘Maximum processor state’ until you find the balance that’s right for you.
Battery dies quickly or won't charge at all
If either of these happen, your battery might be nearing the end of its useful life cycle. Laptop batteries tend to be good only for a few hundred charges, which may equate to just a couple of years of use. Before shopping for a replacement, see if your laptop’s manufacturer offers any kind of calibration tool. If not, try a manual calibration by charging your laptop fully, removing the power cable and then using the laptop (or leave it running) until it switches off or goes into hibernation. Then fully charge it once more.
Incorrect characters appear when typing
Many laptops have ‘hidden’ or ‘soft’ numeric keypads - like those on the right-hand side of a full-size keyboard - to make it easier to enter figures. If you activate this without realising, your keyboard will start to behave erratically. The fix is to tap the Number Lock or NumLock key (often represented by a numbered padlock icon). The key may be hidden itself, but you can activate it by holding down the Function (or Fn) key then pressing NumLock.
Can't switch laptop off after a crash
First, wait to see if Windows recovers by itself; it can sometimes take a long time and even when everything seems completely frozen, it can spring back into life. But when you’re done waiting, merely switching it off at the mains won’t work because your laptop has a battery. Therefore, the trick is to briefly disconnect the battery. This is typically achieved by releasing one or more sprung clips on your laptop’s underside. Remove the battery unit for no more than a second or two, then pop it back in.
Keys don't work after spillage
Laptop keyboards don’t have much travel, so any tiny crumb or spillage that falls between the cracks can easily jam up a key. If this happens, switch your к laptop off and then use a flat-headed screwdriver to gently prise the affected key off its pedestal - it should pop off with very little force. Use a can of compressed air or a dry toothbrush to clean the underside and mechanism, then snap the key back in place.