Top 5 Most Common Laptop Issues (And How to Fix Them)

Written By Jordan Duggins

Laptops are great until they aren’t. Whether it’s a sudden slowdown or a screen that won’t turn on, these machines have a way of letting us down at the worst time. The good news? Most problems are fixable without replacing the whole laptop.

Here are the top 5 laptop issues we see at LaunchLayer — and what you can do about them.

1. Laptop Running Slowly

Nothing’s more frustrating than waiting minutes for a page to load. Slow laptops are usually caused by:

  • Old hard drives (HDDs instead of SSDs)

  • Too many background apps

  • Not enough memory (RAM)

Quick fix: Restart your laptop, uninstall unused programs, and clear temporary files.
Pro fix: Upgrading to an SSD or adding RAM will give your laptop a new lease of life.

2. Overheating & Loud Fans

If your laptop sounds like it’s about to take off, dust and worn thermal paste are often the culprits. Overheating can also shorten the lifespan of your components.

Quick fix: Use your laptop on a hard surface, not soft furnishings.
Pro fix: A professional thermal clean and re-paste keeps your system cool and quiet.

3. Battery Won’t Hold Charge

Laptop batteries wear out over time, especially if you keep them plugged in 24/7. You might notice your laptop dies within minutes of unplugging it.

Quick fix: Reduce screen brightness, close unused apps, and switch to battery saver mode.
Pro fix: A replacement battery is usually affordable and restores full portability.

4. Broken Screens or Keyboards

Cracked displays, flickering panels, or missing keys are all too common — especially if the laptop travels with you.

Quick fix: External monitors or USB keyboards can tide you over in a pinch.
Pro fix: Screen and keyboard replacements are cost-effective and usually cheaper than buying new.

5. Virus, Malware & Scam Pop-Ups

From endless pop-ups to strange toolbars, malware is still one of the biggest headaches. Scammers also trick users into fake warnings and unwanted subscriptions.

Quick fix: Run a full antivirus scan and uninstall suspicious apps.
Pro fix: A virus and scam clean-up not only removes infections but also adds protection to stop it happening again.

Final Thoughts

Most laptop issues don’t mean the end of your device. With the right upgrades or repairs, you can often get years more use from your machine.

At LaunchLayer, we offer:

👉 If your laptop’s showing any of these signs, book your free check-up today and we’ll get it sorted.

Jordan Duggins
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Laptop Not Turning On? Here’s What to Check Before You Panic