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Computer usage is limited in time. The ThinkPad’s screen will dim automatically when the battery falls below 20%, however, if it dims quickly and often, then your battery might need replacing.
The battery will not hold a charge for more than an hour. If you remove the charger and your ThinkPad dies unusually fast, then you might need to replace your battery. If this is the case, click here for a list of steps on how to replace your computer battery.
If you tend to leave too many programs open and running, such as Microsoft Word or Google Chrome, then it may drain your battery and damage it. Simply close out all running applications when you are done using the computer and power down. You can make sure you have nothing open by viewing the taskbar at the bottom; if there are no application icons highlighted, then everything is closed.
Computer is not responsive to any external input. Nothing changes with the computer’s performance: no image displays, no sounds of power-up.
If your ThinkPad is responsive and charging, there should be a small white light illuminated next to the port. If the light is not on, ensure that the charging plug is firmly connected to the computer’s charging port. Also, make sure you have power output from your outlet/power source. Make sure the charging port has no visible damage.
If your ThinkPad is plugged in but not charging, you might have a faulty charger. Be sure to check that all connections are secure first. Unplug and then re-plug the charger. If it still doesn’t work, you need to purchase a new charger for the Thinkpad, here.
Your screen is visibly damaged, cracked, blurry, or unreadable.
Physical cracks and damage is a sign of a broken, non-functional screen. If your screen has these things, click here for a guide on how to replace your screen.
Almost every laptop has an LCD screen. It is common for them to go bad after a while. Check that your Thinkpad’s brightness is turned up. Sometimes we can’t see our screen because it is too dark; a common fix is to adjust the brightness. Click on the F6 key on the keyboard a few times. If the brightness does not improve and you still can’t see the display clearly, then you might have a bad LCD. Other signs of a bad LCD include a pixelated screen, blotches, and incorrect resolution. Click here for a list of steps on how to replace your screen.
Temperature warning messages, the smell of burning components, and too-hot-to-touch computer bottom are all signs that your Thinkpad is overheating.
Be sure your ThinkPad is not left in direct sunlight, as this is bad for the temperature-sensitive components of the computer. Also, make sure you don’t leave your device plugged in to charge for more than 2 days straight. Once the battery is fully charged, remove the charging cable.
Be sure all cooling vents are free from obstructions and blockages. Keep all vents clear of fabrics, blankets, and other objects that will restrict the airflow. Periodically, clean your vents with a pressurized air can to ensure there is no dust build-up that may be inhibiting your device’s performance.
Your cooling fan might not be operating properly if all of the conditions listed above are met and your device still continues to overheat. If this is the case, click here for a guide on how to replace your cooling fan.
If your computer is not operating optimally, such as taking a while to load simple things, then you might have memory-related issues, which make the computer run slow. Other symptoms include not being able to process tasks quickly and efficiently, and remembering the device processing faster in the past.
Having too many applications running can contribute to a number of problems. Ensure that you don’t have a multitude of applications open and running, as this can slow down your ThinkPad’s performance. Close unneeded applications to reduce the load on your hard drive.
Your ThinkPad has either one, two, or multiple drives. You need to “clean” your drives to keep your computer running efficiently. Be sure to optimize your drives once a week at least. To set up a scheduled drive optimization, follow these steps:
If you’re using Windows 8:
Go to “Settings”
Type in “Defragment”
Click on “Defragment your Hard Drive”
Click on “Change settings”
Check the box labeled “Run on a schedule”
Change the frequency to weekly
If you’re using Windows 10:
Type in “Defragment and Optimize”
Open the Defragment app
Go to “Change Settings”
Having a large number of files and photos can negatively affect the speed of your Thinkpad. Consider using programs such as Google Photos and Shutterfly that can store all of your photos or videos in a cloud so they’re not taking up precious storage space on your ThinkPad.
Upgrading your RAM is a common fix for speed/performance issues in electronics. The RAM is what processes all of the tasks that you do on your ThinkPad. Consequently, updating your RAM card will give your computer the needed power to process tasks.
How Computer Monitors Work
