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How to Fix Broken Computer

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

"My computer isn't functioning properly. Is it broken?"

A broken computer is a non-functional computer or a computer that's not functioning properly. A broken computer doesn't necessarily mean a physically broken or damaged computer. As exposed in this post, many things could cause or lead to a broken computer. While hardware damages (screen, keyboard, motherboard… etc) could lead to a broken PC, software issues could also lead to a broken computer.

Learn the various causes of a broken computer, how to fix it, and prevent such cases in the future.

Part 1: What Could Have Caused a Broken Computer

1. Broken Laptop Screen

A broken screen is one of the most obvious kinds of broken computers. This effect mostly renders the device useless depending on how severe the screen damage is. If totally damaged, you may get a broken black screen even your laptop is turned on while partial screen damage may still display content in certain areas of the screen.

How to Fix Broken Laptop Screen?

A broken computer screen is one of the most common physical damages. Good thing, replacements are available for most laptop screens. Do not attempt to open up your device if you're not a technician. You may end up totally damaging it. So, first things first, contact your device’s support/customer care service. Most companies will require the broken laptop to be mailed to them for fixing or replacement. You can proceed with meeting a technician if your device’s customer care service says they do not offer repair or similar options or services.

2. Deleted an Important File

Another common cause of a broken computer is your operating system not being able to find a core system file. Sometimes (on rooted devices) users and third-party software can delete such core system files. Core files missing may result to your computer behaving funny to totally refusing to turn on.

If you didn't deliberately delete a core system file then it might have been malware. A complete system flash may solve this problem but first, make sure you recover your data before reinstalling your laptop's software.

One of the best options for data recovery is the Recoverit Data Recovery tool. You can follow the simple steps below to recover your files and data.

Steps to Recover File from Broken Computer with Recoverit Data Recovery:

First, if you don't have the software installed, ensure that you download and install it. Next, get your computer set by restarting it.

Step 1: You select the disk or device you have your data lost in.

select a location

Step 2: Hit the "Start" button to start the process.

The all-around scan will start scanning your computer, discovering your lost data. Allow the whole process to be completed.

Still can't find the lost files? Use the "Deep Scan" option on the bottom left of the software to switch to a deeper mode of data recovery.

scan the location

Step 3: The process completes and finally lets you preview the discovered files. Select the files you want to restore and hit the "Recover" button to finally restore them.

recover files back

3. Spilled Something on Your Stuff

Drinks such as coffee appear with laptops too often that they can be easily associated. Drinking and working is a common habit. Well, electronic devices do not exactly love liquid substances. You spilling your water or coffee on your laptop, for example, can get into your device's main electronic components –which wouldn’t end well. Depending on the nature of the liquid, it could cause severe problems within the laptop mostly leading to damage.

Things to Do in Case of Liquid Spilled on Laptop

If this happened at a time you can't actually get to see a technician, you can try a few things.

    1. Switch off the device.

If the liquid was spilled in large quantities, you should consider detaching the laptop’s battery (if detachable).

    1. Use desiccants.

If you don’t have access to silica gel, rice is very good at absorbing liquids such as water too. So you should try quickly getting some rice and dip the PC in it. Doing this early could completely absorb the liquid from your device. Just let it stay for a few hours Maybe overnight. When the liquid is completely drawn out, your device will start functioning again.

4. No Internet Access

While this is not a severe problem, it could make every system or third party software that requires an Internet connection to seem non-functional.

Sometimes, you try using apps such as your browser and all you get is a network error even when your internet connection is apparently active. Try the few suggestions below to fix this issue.

How to Fix No Internet Access?

Try the following for troubleshooting;

    1. Ensure that your data is turned on.

If your data isn’t connected properly to your PC, apps that require internet access will not work

  1. If you are on a public Wi-Fi, disconnect and use your data and see if the Internet Access issues.
  2. Contact your network's customer care service for proper Internet configuration for your device. Most service providers will send the internet configuration settings or files specific to your device to you.

5. You Got a Virus

Viruses and malware are responsible for huge cases of broken devices. They could cause many issues, from tiny issues that can easily be overlooked to very severe issues. If a malware deletes a core system file from your system, for example, that action may render your device useless unless.

What to do in cases of virus infection?

    1. Recover your data

Follow the 4 steps outlined in "Deleted an Important File" section above to recover your data if lost.

    1. Use good antivirus software.

Take your time to search for antivirus software with good user reviews for your platform and install. This could detect a virus or prevent future threats.

To Avoid Computer Virus Infection:

Installing software on your device indiscriminately from the Internet is one of the easiest ways to get infected. To avoid the risk of installing malware, only install applications from verified stores.

Some apps are well-known malware. Avoid installing such apps no matter the promises made.

The antivirus software applications could detect, prevent, and fight against malware or virus. Antivirus software is available for virtually every operating system. Go to your operating system's official app store and search for a good on. Take note of user reviews too.

Most operating systems have a regularly updated list of malicious software. Users of such operating systems are usually notified if malware is detected on their systems. Make sure you uninstall the app if prompted by your OS.


Part 2: Tips For Preventing Your Computer Screen From Being Broken or Damaged.

In addition to everything that has been said in this post, here are some useful tips for you.

    1. Keep your laptop out of children's reach.

While some kids may just want to hit keys on the keyboard, some may want to hit the device with an object or open it for curiosity.

    1. Keep your laptop away from pets.

Do not let pets too close to your device, apart from a cat, for instance trying to peel off your keys from your keyboard, it could actually pee on it!

    1. Do not clean your screen with liquid.

When your laptop's screen looks dirty, it's normal to want to clean it up. Use a dry soft cloth. Using liquid is a no-no. Not even a damp cloth.

    1. Eject flash drives from the file manager before yanking it out.

It is difficult to resist the urge of simply yanking a drive out of the USB port when you're done using it but try as much as possible not to. When you're done using a flash drive, left-click on the drive in your file manager and click on "Eject" or something similar (depending on your Operating System)

    1. Don't keep liquids close to your laptop.

You may take a coffee while working with your PC but don't leave the cup unguided. Don't place it on the keyboard or too close to the laptop.

    1. Frequently update your antivirus software and your operating system.

Update for apps and Operating Systems are regularly released to improve user experience and security. Make you're your regularly install updates.

    1. Do not delete system files unless you're very sure you know what you're doing.

When you turn on your PC for instance, there are many system software that makes that possible. With root access to a device, one can do unthinkable things to the device. You should be careful when deleting stuff or installing apps that require root privileges on your PC.

Moreover, you can learn tips to fix a broken computer here.

Conclusion

Hardware or software issues could lead to a broken computer. This post has provided detailed causes and fixes for such issues... Covered in this post are broken screens, virus attack, liquid spillage, broken Internet connection, and missing system files. Solutions and tips were also provided for each issue.

Recoverit author

Amy Dennis

staff Editor

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