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When the power button is pressed, the laptop is unresponsive. 

First, make sure your outlet works by plugging in another device. After ensuring your outlet functions, check to make sure the charging cord is the one that came with your device and is not damaged. If the charging cord or outlet doesn’t function, there is no way for the battery to receive a charge.

Sometimes, the laptop will get stuck trying to boot up from different storage devices. Disconnect all removable devices, then try to start the laptop. If a removable storage device is keeping the laptop from starting up, removing the device will solve the problem.

In order to determine if the battery is the issue, you have to completely remove the battery. Once the battery is removed, plug in the laptop. If the battery is the issue, the laptop will start up. Replacing the battery will be the next step.

Either no sound is emitting from the speakers, or the sound is muffled or unclear and crackling.

Sometimes, a particular app can control the device speakers and keep other apps from using them.The first step is to close all applications, or apps, and restart the laptop.  If an app is controlling the speakers, then closing the apps and restarting the laptop should fix the problem.

If the laptop is connected to external speakers, it could be the external speakers that are faulty. To check if this is the issue, connect different speakers or headphones. If the different speakers work, the original external speakers are the problem.

If none of the speakers work even after restarting the laptop and the volume is turned up, running an audio check through Windows could identify and solve the problem. On the laptop screen, in the bottom right task bar search, enter “troubleshoot sound problems”, then check on the corresponding application to enter into the troubleshooting program.

When the USB device is plugged in, the laptop does not recognize the device.

Sometimes, the connection to the USB can jiggle loose, disconnecting the device. To check if this is the case, simply unplug and plug the device in, restarting the connection. If the connection isn’t complete and secure, Windows will not recognize the device.

Check the device batteries to make sure they have power left in them and are connected properly. This simple step can often be overlooked. If the batteries aren’t connected or are dead, the device won’t function and you will need to replace the batteries.

The USB device could require a separate software or driver to be installed before even connecting the device. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether or not a software is required, and if it is, how to install it.

The laptop loads applications and files slowly, sometimes even failing to respond.

Routine maintenance is required to keep a laptop healthy and functioning to the best of its abilities. If the laptop isn’t maintained, old files and applications can clutter up the device storage, slowing the laptop’s efficiency. To solve this, go through the device, deleting old files and apps that have no purpose. However, this can be a long, tedious process. There are automated assistants that can routinely keep your laptop uncluttered, available to install on the HP website. If the laptop is cluttered with junk files and applications, they can slow down the performance of the laptop.

If the laptop is loud, along with slow, then the fan can be the issue. If the fan doesn’t work properly, there is no way for the laptop to maintain a safe temperature for optimal performance. The vents to the fan can get cluttered with dust and dirt over time, constricting the air flow to the laptop that maintains a safe temperature. To solve this, turn the laptop off. Use a can of pressurized air and spray the vents on the back of the laptop. Wait around fifteen minutes for the laptop to completely cool down, then power it up again. If the laptop runs smoothly, then the issue is fixed. If there is no change, the fan might need to be replaced.

None of the buttons on the keyboard work; the laptop does not respond when the keys are pressed.

Sometimes, common issues can be fixed by simply restarting the laptop. This applies to keyboard issues as well. Close all apps and completely turn off the laptop. Wait a few minutes, then turn the laptop back on. If the keyboard still doesn’t function, further action must be taken.

If restarting the laptop doesn’t fix the issue, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall the driver. Enter the device manager in your laptop and locate the keyboard driver. Right click, then click uninstall. Once the driver is uninstalled, then reinstall it. If it’s a software issue, this should solve the problem.

If, even after restarting the laptop and reinstalling the driver, the keyboard does not work, the integrated keyboard hardware is most likely faulty. To solve this, you need to replace the keyboard.