Laptop screen or battery problems? Here is what to check.

Signs and symptoms

• The screen is cracked, has dark patches, lines, or areas that no longer respond.
• The display is very dim, flickers, or changes when the lid moves.
• The battery drains quickly, or the laptop shuts off well before it reaches zero.
• The laptop only runs while plugged in, or reports that the battery is not charging.
• The case will not close flat, the trackpad feels raised, or the battery looks swollen.

Common causes

• Physical damage from a drop, pressure on a closed lid, or a spill.
• A failed backlight, a loose display cable, or a graphics problem rather than the panel itself.
• Normal battery wear, which reduces capacity over years of charge cycles.
• A faulty charger, charging port, or a non-genuine power adapter.
• Power settings, display drivers, or software that make a healthy screen or battery appear faulty.

How we fix it remotely

1. Describe the damage and the history

   Tell us whether there was a drop or spill, when the behavior started, and how the laptop behaves plugged in versus on battery.

2. Separate software from hardware

   Where the laptop is usable, a remote session with your permission lets us check display drivers, brightness and power settings, and the battery health reporting the system provides.

3. Test the external evidence

   We walk you through attaching an external monitor, checking charger behavior, and watching how charge level moves, which narrows the fault to a panel, cable, battery, or charger.

4. Explain what the result means

   We say plainly whether the evidence points to a settings problem we can resolve remotely or to a part that must be replaced in person.

5. Agree on service and price before anything proceeds

   If parts or hands-on work are needed, we explain the scope and the price first and arrange service with you. Nothing proceeds until you approve it.

When remote support is not enough

• Replacing a cracked panel, a worn battery, a display cable, or a damaged charging port requires physical access and parts.
• A swollen battery is a safety matter: stop charging, stop using the laptop, and ask for advice before anything else.
• Liquid damage needs physical inspection; powering the laptop on repeatedly can make it worse.
• Contact US Repairs to discuss the device and arrange appropriate service. The Hampton address is a business address, not an invitation to visit or drop off equipment.

Typical time and price

Most remote sessions are finished in one appointment, typically 45 to 90 minutes, and remote work starts from $79. Hands-on hardware repairs usually take one to three business days, depending on the parts required, and start from $99 in labor plus parts. These are starting prices: the final price depends on the work actually performed, so prices may vary. Your technician explains the scope and quotes the job before any work starts, and nothing proceeds until you approve it.

Things to try yourself first

1. Connect an external monitor

   If the external screen shows a normal picture, the computer itself is working and the fault is in the laptop's own display path.

2. Check brightness and power settings

   Confirm the brightness keys, any automatic brightness setting, and the power plan. A dim screen on battery is sometimes a setting rather than a fault.

3. Test the charger carefully

   Use the manufacturer's charger where possible, try a different outlet, and check the cable and the port for damage or debris. Avoid unbranded replacement adapters.

4. Read the battery health report

   Windows and macOS both report battery condition and cycle count. Note what it says before deciding that a replacement is needed.

5. Stop if the battery is swollen or the device is hot

   A bulging case, a raised trackpad, or a laptop that becomes very hot should be unplugged, left to cool away from anything flammable, and taken to a technician rather than used.

Frequently asked questions