Confusion and frustration creeps in when your tablet starts acting funny – or stops acting at all. It’s probably because a lot of us don’t know how to diagnose the problem, let alone fix it. Here are some common tablet problems and repairs.
Display Problems
Touch screens have two layers. The lower layer is the LCD that generates the image. The top layer is the digitizer, which responds to your touch. If you see an image but nothing happens when you touch the screen, the digitizer is likely broken. It will need to be replaced by a professional technician.
If the display looks grainy or has lines across it, this is an LCD issue. That layer will need to be replaced.
If it’s a dim display you’re dealing with, that can usually be fixed by checking your display settings. Make sure the brightness is set to the level you want. If that doesn’t work you might have an LCD issue.
If the tablet won’t turn on, make sure it’s charged by plugging it in for a few minutes then pressing the power button. If it doesn’t power up, you might need a new battery.
Battery Problems
When a battery isn’t charging, the first thing to check is the charger. Make sure it’s plugged in all the way. Next, make sure the wall outlet is working by testing it with another device. As a final attempt, borrow a friend’s charger and plug it into your tablet. If it starts charging, then you know you have a faulty charger. If it doesn’t, you’ve got battery problems. Bring it in to have it tested and replaced if necessary.
Often times the battery will show a full charge but dies quickly – this means it’s time for a new battery. Here are some tips to prolong battery life.
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Unplug the device when it’s done charging. Leaving it plugged in all the time depletes the battery’s optimal charge.
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Use your device at least every two weeks. Don’t leave a charged battery dormant.
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Keep some charge in the battery at all times. Total depletion is only good for older model batteries.z
Other Problems
For a tablet that still responds to your commands, but is as slow as molasses, the problem could be one of four things: (1) dirt caught inside, (2) a virus, (3) an overloaded hard drive, (4) old age. Number 1 should be fixed by someone experienced. For 2 and 3, you can try running a virus scan, delete obsolete software, or degraff your hard drive. Number 4…well it might be time for a new tablet.
Another common problem occurs when headphones don’t work. Make sure the volume is turned up. Then check that the headphones are plugged in all the way. Test them with another device, and also test a different set of headphones on the same tablet. If the problem is the headphones, try cleaning them out or buy a new pair. If the problem is the port, take it in to be replaced.
