Computer Repair Safety Tips You Need to Know GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 128 128 people found this article helpful
Important Computer Repair Safety Tips
How to stay safe while working on your computer
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 20, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Flip the Switch Unplug for Extra Safety Avoid Smoke and Smells Remove Hand Jewelry Avoid Capacitors Never Service the Non-Serviceable In addition to being an afternoon of great fun (seriously!), computer repair can save you loads of time and money. No amount of fun, money, or time is enough, though, to compromise your safety. Flip the Switch
Turn the power off before servicing anything. This should always be your first step, any time you work with electronics. Don't even open the computer case unless the power is turned off. If you see any lights glowing or flashing in the case, verify that you've turned it off—not just placed your computer in a hibernation state. Many power supply units incorporate a mechanical switch on the back, killing power to the device and ultimately the rest of your PC. If your PSU has one, turn it to the off position. If you're working on a laptop, netbook, or tablet, remove the battery in addition to disconnecting the AC power, before removing or disassembling anything. Kirsty Lee / EyeEm / Getty Images Unplug for Extra Safety
As a second precaution, it's wise to unplug the computer from the wall or power strip. If it's plugged in to a battery backup, be sure to unplug it from there, too, even if the battery backup itself is detached from its power source. As they're designed, there's likely still power flowing through it, and thus to your computer as well. If there was any doubt whether the computer was off before, it's settled now. Avoid Smoke and Smells
See smoke coming from the power supply or inside the case, or smell a burning or solder scent? If so: Stop what you're doing. Unplug the computer from the wall. Don't wait for it to shut down. Allow the PC to cool or discharge unplugged for at least 5 minutes. Finally, if you know which device generated the smoke or smell, remove and replace it before you continue to use your computer. Don't try to repair a device that's been damaged to this extent, especially if it's a power supply. Signs and Dangers of Laptops Overheating Remove Hand Jewelry
An easy way to get electrocuted is to work around a high-voltage device like a power supply while wearing metal rings, watches, or bracelets. Remove anything conductive from your hands before working inside your computer, especially if you're doing something like testing your power supply. Avoid Capacitors
Capacitors are miniature electronic components contained in many of the parts inside a PC. Capacitors store electric charge for a short while after the power is turned off, so it's wise to wait a few minutes after pulling the plug before working on your PC. Never Service the Non-Serviceable
When you come across labels that say "No serviceable components inside," don't take it as a challenge or even a suggestion. This is a serious statement. Some parts of a computer are just not meant to be repaired, even by most professional computer repair persons. You'll usually see this warning on power supply units, but you may also see them on monitors, hard drives, optical drives, and other dangerous or highly sensitive components. Why Electronic Components Fail and How to Identify Them Computer repair goes beyond hardware. See these tips on basic computer safety to learn how to avoid data loss and security issues. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use a Power Supply Tester to Test a PSU How to Open a Desktop Computer Case How to Manually Test a Power Supply With a Multimeter How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing What is a PSU? What is an ATX Power Supply? How to Check for Loose Monitor Power Cable Connections How to Fix a Computer That Turns On and Then Off How to Check for Disconnected Computer Power Cables How to Install a Desktop Power Supply How to Install a Graphics Card How to Fix Problems that Occur During the POST Reseat Definition (What Does Reseat Mean?) How to Fix a Computer That Shows No Sign of Power Why Does Restarting Seem to Fix Most Computer Problems? How to Reseat Internal Data and Power Cables 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer Mouse Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies