Laptop repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What laptop repair is

A technician fixes laptop problems such as a cracked screen, a dead battery, a failed keyboard, overheating, a damaged charging port or water damage. You need it when the laptop no longer works properly for work, school or everyday use.

Signs you need it

  • The screen is cracked, has lines, or shows dead spots
  • The battery drains fast or the laptop shuts off when unplugged
  • Some keys stop working or type the wrong character
  • The charging port is loose, or the laptop only charges at one angle
  • The laptop runs very hot, loud or spills liquid onto the keyboard

What the pro does

  • Tests the screen, keyboard, battery, charging port and cooling
  • Checks the laptop for water damage or corrosion inside
  • Backs up your files if the drive can be read and the work involves the drive
  • Replaces the screen, battery, keyboard, port or cooling parts as needed
  • Tests the laptop after the repair and returns it with a summary

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The laptop model and whether parts are easy or hard to reach
  • The part needed, such as a screen, battery, keyboard or port
  • Whether the screen is an original or a replacement part
  • Whether liquid damage requires cleaning and corrosion repair
  • Whether a battery must be ordered in for a specific model
  • Whether the laptop is under warranty, which changes the approach

What a written quote should spell out

  • The diagnosis and the test used to confirm it
  • Each part, its model and whether it is new, refurbished or used
  • Labor for each repair step
  • Whether files were backed up and any data risk
  • Warranty for the parts and labor

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the laptop under warranty, and would the repair affect it?
  • Is the screen an original part or a replacement?
  • Can you back up my files before opening the laptop?
  • How do you check for water damage inside?
  • What is the battery warranty, and how many cycles does it cover?
  • Will the repair void any manufacturer warranty?

Red flags

  • Opens the laptop and starts repairs before explaining the cost
  • Will not show the damage or the old part
  • Says water damage is fixed without checking the board
  • Changes the battery to an unknown brand without telling you

What you can do yourself

A battery that is swollen, hot or leaking is a fire risk, so stop using it and take it to a qualified repair shop or a recycling point. You can clean the keyboard and vents with a dry brush and check the charger, but do not open a laptop under warranty or pry at a cracked screen. Call a technician for any water damage or screen repair.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for laptop repair. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business registration that applies, and ask the technician to show proof of training or past repair work.

Laptop repair questions

Can water damage be fixed?

Sometimes. The sooner the laptop is powered off and checked, the better the chance. A technician should clean the board and test each part.

Should I replace the battery or the charger first?

Test both. A failing charger can look like a dead battery, so the technician should check the charger before replacing the battery.

Is a replacement screen as good as the original?

It depends on the part. Ask the technician whether the screen is original or a replacement, and what the warranty covers.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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