When you rely on your laptop every day for work, paying bills, and keeping in touch with loved ones, the day it doesn’t turn on can fill you with dread. How are you going to solve this problem? Crossing your fingers that your most important files are backed up, you might wonder whether you need professional computer repair. To help you troubleshoot the issue, RadioActive in Kalispell, MT, recommends taking the following steps.

Computer Repair Experts List 3 Steps to Take If Your Laptop Won’t Start

1. Determine Whether the Laptop Is Receiving Power

If your laptop doesn’t turn on at all and is not emitting any lights or running fans, it is possible that either your charger or laptop battery is malfunctioning. Borrow a friend’s charger to see if that’s your issue; if so, you might only need to buy a new charger. If, however, you are unable to charge your laptop, your battery may either need to be reconnected or replaced.

2. Listen for Beeps

Computers are programmed to beep special codes from an internal speaker in case of hardware failure. If your laptop appears to turn on, beeps once or a few times, then immediately turns back off, the number of beeps you hear will indicate the problem (e.g. a certain number of beeps could mean a loose memory stick). Every motherboard has different codes, which you can look up if you know the manufacturer and model of your laptop. Even if you can’t fix the issue on your own, you’ll at least know what you’re dealing with.

3. Call a Computer Repair Shop

Sometimes, a laptop will turn on, but nothing will display on its monitor. This could indicate one of many potential problems, including a faulty monitor, blown fuse, or another damaged computer part. The best thing to do in this case is to call a professional who can open up your laptop, test each component, and determine the problem.

Still stumped? If you can’t afford to waste any more time and need professional computer repair, you can reach RadioActive at (406) 257-5999. More information about their PC and Mac repair services is available on their website.