Many do not realize that such everyday actions can harm the device.
For most people, technology dies not due to defects, but because of our own habits. We do the same little things for years and then wonder why the laptop has started to overheat, make noise, or suddenly stopped turning on.
The good news is that 90% of these problems can be easily avoided if you know what harms laptops in everyday life. BGR has compiled common habits that shorten the lifespan of devices and what to do to avoid expensive repairs.
Dust Clogs the Cooling System
Dust is the main enemy of any device. It settles on fans and radiators, worsening cooling, leading to overheating, throttling, and noise. If the device is on the floor or against a wall, dust accumulates twice as fast.
Over time, the contamination becomes so dense that air can hardly pass through. Therefore, blowing out the laptop every few months is enough to extend its life.
Using a Laptop on the Bed Causes Overheating
A soft surface blocks ventilation holes, preventing cold air from entering and hot air from escaping. If this is done constantly, the laptop starts to make noise even with simple tasks, so it’s better to place it on a hard surface.
Discharging the Battery to Zero
Modern batteries do not like deep discharges. When you bring the laptop to a complete zero, the chemistry inside the battery suffers, and its lifespan decreases.
The optimal solution is to keep the charge between 20-80%. Many laptops can limit the maximum charge on their own.
Defragmenting SSD Speeds Up Its Death
Defragmentation speeds up HDDs, but for SSDs, it simply burns out resources because each optimization makes millions of unnecessary rewrites.
The system itself runs TRIM - a block cleaning process that does not harm the disk. Therefore, the best care for an SSD is to leave it alone.
Opening the Laptop with One Hand
When you lift the lid by one corner, the load is distributed unevenly. This twists the hinges, gradually loosening them, and sooner or later, the attachment may crack.
Along with the hinges, the display cable often fails - it is squeezed inside and also experiences extra stress.
An Old Power Strip Won't Protect Against Voltage Spikes
Cheap power strips lose their protective properties after a couple of years, and a sudden voltage spike can burn out the power supply, graphics card, or motherboard in a fraction of a second.
For real protection, you need a power strip with a high energy reserve or a small UPS - it will protect against spikes and sudden power outages.
Static Electricity Easily Kills Components
A small discharge is enough, and the memory, motherboard, or graphics card can burn out. This happens most often in winter when the air is dry.
Before reaching inside the computer, simply touch a metal part of the case - this is enough to discharge and avoid damaging the hardware.
Dozens of Open Tabs Overload Memory and CPU
Each tab is a process that consumes RAM and CPU load. Close pages that are not needed right now.
Skipping OS Updates
Updates often contain security patches that close vulnerabilities. Hackers exploit old systems because they know where the holes are.
You should update not only Windows or macOS but also your browser, drivers, and antivirus. It takes a couple of minutes but eliminates a lot of risks.
Incorrect BIOS Update
The BIOS is the most sensitive part of the system. Any mistake can cause the motherboard to stop showing signs of life. Update the BIOS only if there is a specific reason; it’s not worth it just for the sake of being up to date.
Drinks Near the Laptop
Spilled coffee or water can go under the keyboard and reach the motherboard. The laptop may short-circuit immediately, but sometimes the consequences appear much later in the form of corrosion on the contacts.
It’s better to keep drinks away. And if you do spill something, turn it off immediately and take it to a service center to dry.
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