In 2021, the PC market grew by 14.8%, shipping the largest number of workstations, laptops, and desktops in a single year since 2012.
Since 2012, personal computer sales declined almost every year, but why? It could be because technology is lasting much longer than it used to. People don’t need to buy new computers and laptops as often as before.
To prolong the life of your laptop, you need to know the common computer maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Keeping It Plugged In
One of the most common computer maintenance mistakes is keeping your device plugged into a power outlet while you aren’t using it.
If you are away from your computer for a long time, it’s best to shut off your device completely. Leaving your laptop plugged in when you’re not using it will reduce its lifespan.
Overcharging the battery prevents your laptop from lasting its full life. Try to allow the battery to drain down before recharging it each time.
2. Dropping Your Computer
Your computer hardware and software are more fragile than you might think. Although you never purposely drop your computer, it’s best to maintain it as best as you can. Be careful when you transport your device anywhere.
A lot of computer repair services see issues with laptops because of a previous dropping. Dropping can cause internal damage that you can’t always feel or see.
If you end up damaging your computer this way, you won’t be able to fix it on your own. You’ll need to work with professionals to hopefully repair your device. If it’s beyond repair, you’ll be emptying your wallet for a replacement.
Always be careful with your laptop to maintain it for longer.
3. Using It on Soft Surfaces
Part of your computer maintenance routine should be to check that the fan is not obstructed. Clean out debris and residue on your computer so that it can utilize proper airflow.
To prevent future problems with airflow and your laptop’s fan, avoid using your laptop on a soft surface. Using your laptop on a bed, for example, can cause it to overheat and lead to various problems in the future.
When a laptop sits on a soft surface, the airflow is minimized and your computer cannot efficiently cool itself down.
If you need to use your laptop for an extended period, place it on a hard, flat surface. If you don’t have a desk, consider purchasing a laptop stand.
4. Not Updating Your System
Whenever you have a computer software update, it’s best to get the latest system version as soon as possible. Operating systems, plug-ins, and browsers are frequently updated to help with security.
If you are running an outdated version of your operating system or software, you are putting your laptop at risk.
You can set your computer to automatically install updates. At the very least, make sure you are informed of updates.
5. Allowing Dust to Build Up
Dust can build up in your computer over time, especially if you have a laptop case. Dust can clog the fans, increase the interior temperature of your laptop, and reduce airflow.
Occasionally open your laptop’s case and clean out any dust buildup. You can use a can of compressed air to do this, but a simple wipe-down can help too if you don’t have the proper computer cleaning supplies.
If you need to open your laptop to clean the dust, it’s best to seek professional help. Laptops aren’t meant to be easy to open, and you don’t want to make things worse when trying to clean your computer.
6. Running Multiple Antivirus Programs
The saying, “the more the merrier” does not apply to antivirus programs. You should only be using one antivirus program on your laptop.
Antivirus programs hook into the operating system and check programs before running them.
If you have more than one antivirus program trying to do this at the same time, they will interfere with each other and may cause a computer crash. It’s not uncommon for two antivirus programs to identify each other as malware.
Make sure your laptop only has a single antivirus program installed and running in the background.
7. Installing Dangerous Programs
One of the more obvious computer maintenance mistakes is installing dangerous programs, but it still happens. Be vigilant when installing any program.
Don’t install anything without researching the program to judge its trustworthiness.
Not many computer users know that something as simple as downloading screensavers can cause viruses on your laptop. Know the types of files that are dangerous and be careful when running them.
8. Not Defragging the Hard Drive
Computer performance is much less efficient if you don’t defragment the hard drive. The disk is the weakest link in your laptop.
Defragging is the process of reorganizing data on your hard drive. This can speed up file access by breaking up a file into smaller bits on your computer.
Every laptop is different, but you can likely find defragment functions under the System and Security tabs. You should be defragging your hard drive once a month.
Computer Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid
Every laptop user needs to know the different computer maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.
A computer is an investment that you need to take care of. Despite emerging technology, laptops are still fragile and can’t handle everything you want to throw at them.
If you’ve been making mistakes listed in this guide, you might need a laptop repair. Contact us today to learn about our different repair types and methods.
