Hardware · 6 guides
Screens, docks, and power
External monitors, flicker, docks, overheating, batteries, and a laptop that will not start.
My external monitor is not detected
A second screen stays black, or Windows does not list it in display settings.
You might notice
- No signal on the monitor
- Only the laptop screen is active
- The dock lights are on but the display is not
- 01
Confirm power, input, and cable
Turn the monitor on, choose the matching input (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C), and reseat both ends of the cable. Try the cable that already works on a colleague’s desk.
- 02
Use the dock the way it was issued
Plug the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable into the laptop port that supports video, usually marked or the one IT specified. Charge-only ports will not drive a display.
- 03
Detect the display in Windows
Right-click the desktop → Display settings → Multiple displays → Detect. Press Win+P and choose Extend, not PC screen only.
- 04
Restart with the cable connected
Shut down, connect the monitor, then power on. Update or reinstall the dock only from the company catalog if Detect still fails.
Did this get you unstuck?
The monitor is flickering or says no signal
The picture flashes, goes black, or the monitor cannot keep a signal.
You might notice
- Flicker every few seconds
- No signal after the laptop sleeps
- The screen works, then drops
- 01
Reseat the video cable and try another port
Loose HDMI and DisplayPort cables cause flicker. Use a shorter official cable and avoid cheap adapters stacked together.
- 02
Set a standard resolution and refresh rate
In Display settings, use the recommended resolution and 60 Hz unless the monitor is known to support more. A mismatched refresh rate looks like flicker.
- 03
Wake and reconnect after sleep
Close the lid only if the dock is set to keep the session alive. Otherwise, use Win+P after wake or unplug and replug the dock cable.
- 04
Test the monitor on another machine
If it flickers everywhere, the panel or power supply is failing. If it only flickers on your laptop, update the display driver from the company catalog.
Did this get you unstuck?
My laptop will not turn on
The machine stays dark when you press power, or it lights up and immediately shuts off.
You might notice
- No lights, no fan
- Charging LED is off
- A logo appears, then a black screen
- 01
Use the official charger and a known outlet
Connect the company power brick to a wall outlet, not a weak USB charger. A charging light should appear. Try another outlet and another brick if one is available.
- 02
Perform a power reset
Unplug the charger, hold the power button for 20–30 seconds, reconnect power, then press power once. This clears a hung power state.
- 03
Look for any sign of life
Caps Lock light, fan spin, or a very dim image can mean the display failed rather than the PC. Try an external monitor.
- 04
Stop if you smell heat or see swelling
Unplug the machine and do not charge it. Battery swelling is a safety issue.
Did this get you unstuck?
The laptop is overheating or the fan is very loud
The chassis is hot, the fan screams, or the machine slows down under light work.
You might notice
- Hot around the keyboard
- Fan runs at full speed on idle
- The laptop shuts down on its own
- 01
Give it air
Take it off blankets, couches, and stacked paper. Use a hard desk and keep vents clear. A blocked vent is the most common cause.
- 02
Close heavy apps
Check Task Manager for a process using high CPU. Browsers with many tabs, video calls, and failed Windows Update loops heat a laptop quickly.
- 03
Use a cooler surface and AC power if needed
Some machines run hotter on battery. Plug in, reduce screen brightness, and pause large syncs.
- 04
Reboot once
A stuck process can keep the fan at maximum. If it is still loud after a reboot at idle, dust or a failing fan is likely.
Did this get you unstuck?
The laptop battery is draining quickly
A charge that used to last a workday now dies in one or two hours.
You might notice
- Percent drops fast
- Windows warns of low battery
- The machine only works on AC
- 01
Check what is using power
Open Settings → System → Power & battery and review battery usage by app. Browsers, VPNs, and video calls are expected; a stuck update is not.
- 02
Use a balanced power mode and lower brightness
Turn off unused radios, close extra tabs, and avoid leaving an external monitor plus charging peripherals on battery.
- 03
Calibrate expectations on older packs
After two or three years, a smaller capacity is normal. If health is very low, plan a battery replacement.
- 04
Confirm the charger can keep up
If the percent falls while plugged in, the brick is too weak or the port is damaged.
Did this get you unstuck?
My docking station is not connecting
Displays, Ethernet, or USB devices on the dock do not come up when you sit down.
You might notice
- No monitors
- No wired network
- USB devices on the dock are dead
- 01
Use the supplied cable and the correct laptop port
Thunderbolt or USB-C docks need a video-capable port. Try the other side of the laptop. Do not daisy-chain extra hubs unless IT issued that setup.
- 02
Power the dock, then the laptop
Plug the dock power brick in first. Reseat the laptop cable. A dock without its own power often fails with two monitors.
- 03
Unplug extras and test in pieces
Disconnect USB devices, then add the displays, then Ethernet. A failing accessory can take the whole dock down.
- 04
Restart the laptop while docked
If it still fails, try the dock on a teammate’s compatible laptop. That tells you whether to replace the dock or the machine.