The laptop shuts down on its own when playing games. All other time it works fine.

Possible cause:

Laptop overheats.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

Most likely the laptop shuts down while running games because it overheats. When you run a game, you push the CPU to the limit and it generates a lot of heat. If the laptop cooling module (fan and heat sink) is clogged with dust, the laptop will overheat and shut down.

Make sure the cooling module is clean. Remove dust using canned air or air compressor.
Apply fresh thermal paste on the processor if needed.

The laptop shuts down while installing Windows. The installation process runs fine for a while but after some time the laptop shuts down on its own. Same problem happens if you start the installation process again.

Possible cause:

1. Laptop overheating.
2. Memory failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

It’s possible that the laptop shuts down on its own because of overheating. Take a look inside the cooling module. If the cooling fan and heat sink are dirty and clogged with dust, clean it with compressed air. After the cooling module is cleaned, try installing the operating system again.

Also, this problem could be related to the memory failure. Test laptop memory with Memtest86+ utility. If it fails test, replace the memory module.

If you have two memory modules installed in the laptop, remove them one by one and try installing Windows with only one memory module in place. If one of the memory modules is bad, the installation process will run smoothly when this module is removed.

The laptop shuts off when AC power adapter is plugged in. The laptop works fine on battery power but as soon as you connect it to AC adapter, the laptop turns off.

Possible cause:

1. Power adapter failure.
2. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

First of all, test the power adpater. Make sure the apdapter outputs correct voltage. It’s possible that the outup voltage is not correct and the laptop shuts down to prevent the damge. Test your laptop with anohter known good power adapter.

If the problem still exists, even after replacing the adapter, most likley it’s the motherboard failure. Replace the motherboard.

The laptop turns off while playing games. It works fine with all other programs, but after running a video game for a while the laptop just turns off by itself without any warning.

Possible cause:

Laptop turns off because of overheating.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

Most likely the laptop turns off while playing games because the heat sink is clogged with dust and the laptop overheats. Video games require a lot of computing resources and push the CPU and video card to limits. Because of that the laptop runs hotter while playing games. Apparently the CPU is getting so hot that the laptop turns off by itself to prevent the damage.

You can fix the problem by cleaning the heat sink. There are two ways:
1. Blow off dust without opening the laptop. Find an air compressor or buy a can of compressed air and spray it into the fan grill on the bottom of the laptop. This will remove most dust from the fan and heat sink and should fix the problem at least for a while.
2. Disassemble the laptop, access the heat sink and clean it. This is the proper way of cleaning but requires some technical skills.

The laptop turns on for a moment and restarts on its own. The cycle repeats over and over until you remove the battery. The power light turns on, stays on for a moment, goes off and turns on again. There is no video when the laptop is on. The problem happens when the laptop runs on AC or battery power.

Possible cause:

1. Memory failure.
2. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

1. Try reseating the memory module, maybe it’s not making good contact with the motherboard.
Try replacing memory with another known good module and test again.

If you have two memory modules installed in the laptop, try removing them one by one and test the laptop with each module separately. If one of the memory modules is faulty, replace it with a good one.

2. If reseating/replacing memory modules do not help, most likely this is the motherboard problem. Replace the motherboard.

The laptop turns off when unplugged even though the battery is plugged in.

Possible cause:

1. Bad battery.
2. Faulty motherboard.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

First of all, take a look at the battery icon in the lower right corner of the desktop. If there is a red cross on the battery icon, the laptop doesn’t see the battery and because of that it shuts down when you unplug the power adapter. Try reconnecting the battery, maybe it’s not making good contact with the motherboard. Reconnecting the battery might help.

If reseating the battery doesn’t help, most likly you have a bad battery and it has to be replaced.

Also, this problem could be related to the motherboard failure, but you cannot tell which one is causing the problem the battery or motherboard untill you test the laptop with another good battery.
If replacing the battery doesn’t help, you have the motherboard problem. Replace the motherboard or use the laptop as is, just on AC power.

The laptop shuts down when the AC adapter unplugged even with the battery still installed into the laptop. The laptop detects the battery and says it’s charged 100% but will not on the battery power at all. The laptop operates properly from AC power with the battery removed.

Possible cause:

1. Battery failure.
2. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

Most likely this problem occurs because of the battery failure. Even though the laptop detects the battery and says it’s 100% charge, it doesn’t mean that the battery is in good working condition.

If you have a problem like that, try replacing the battery first.

If replacing the battery doesn’t help, most likely you have the motherboard failure. You’ll have to replace the motherboard or use the laptop as is.

The laptop turns on when you press on the power button but shuts down right away. There is no image on the screen. You tried using the laptop just from AC power with the battery removed, but it doesn’t help.

Possible cause:

1. AC adapter is dead.
2. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

First of all, test your AC power adapter. It’s possible that the adapter is dead and the battery doesn’t have enough charge to start the laptop. You can test the adapter with a voltmeter. Find out if the adapter outputs correct voltage. If there is no voltage coming out, replace the adapter with a new one.

Alternatively, you can test the laptop with another known good AC adapter.

If you still experiencing the same problem even with a new AC adpater, most likly you have the motherboard failure. Replace the motherboard.

The laptop works fine for a while but after some time shuts down on its own without any warning. After you restart the laptop it works fine but lately shuts down again. When you touch the bottom of the laptop, it feels hot.

Possible cause:

The problem related to overheating.
1. The cooling system is clogged with dust.
2. Cooling fan failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

If the laptop shuts down on its own without any warning and the bottom of the laptop feels hot, most likely it happens because of overheating.

1. Try cleaning the cooling system – heatsink and cooling fan. Take a look inside the heat sink and if it’s clogged with dust, blow off the heat sink with compressed air.

2. Make sure the cooling fan is spinning. If the fan doesn’t spin when the laptop is hot, it’s possible the fan has failed and has to be replaced. Replace the fan with a new one.

3. Check thermal grease between the processor and heat sink. If thermal grease dried out, you have to clean the processor from the old grease and apply a thin layer of new thermal grease.

Always use your laptop of a flat surface. Make sure there is some space between the bottom of the laptop and the surface. In most the cooling system air intakes are located on the bottom. If you close them, the laptop will overheat and shut down.