HP G71t-400 Troubleshooting

The battery is the main source of electricity for the laptop.  Without it the device would not be able to be used mobile. Before anything, make sure the battery is fully charged.

Computer battery life can vary depending on numerous factors, such as:

• power management settings
• programs running on the computer
• display brightness
• external devices connected to the computer and other factors

Battery Check provides information after examination on the status of the battery installed in the computer. The AC adapter must be connected to the laptop for the Battery Check to work efficiently. To access Battery Check:

1. Select Start
2. Help and Support
3. Troubleshooting Tools
4. Battery Check

Results of the examination will be presented once the Battery Check is completed.

If the battery needs to be replaced, please follow the battery replacement guide.

The battery must be appropriately secured in the bottom of the device for optimal use. Confirm the battery has a complete connection with the device by removing and readjusting the battery. To do so, turn the laptop upside down and slide the battery release latch. Once the battery is removed, clear any dust off the terminals. Seat the battery back in place and turn the device on.

Check all of the connections going in and out of the computer and all of their corresponding destinations. Starting with the power supply, check that it is firmly connected into the correct port of the computer. Follow the wire back to the voltage converter, typically the “box” in the middle of your power cord. Check that the plug is fully seated in the outlet. Connections on either end must be secured. A battery light on the computer should appear when the adapter is attached correctly.

Both software and hardware problems can cause your wireless connection to stop working. Use this guide if the device experiences slow, intermittent, or simply no wireless connection to the internet.

Note: Confirm the laptop is not on Airplane Mode during any part of this process.*

Your wireless connection device may have been shut off. Access the Network Settings through the WiFi symbol in the toolbar in the lower right corner of the screen and the option to turn WiFi connection on will be suggested.

1. Access the Network Settings
2. Click on the available network you are having an issue with and Forget it from the system’s memory
3. Re-enter the proper credentials to access wireless network

In the event that you need to replace the WiFi card, please see the WiFi card replacement guide for more information.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, collects and stores data from files. Indications of a bad RAM are present when the device experiences spontaneous crashing or the device is beeping without booting up. If your computer is having a difficult time running programs you may need to:

1. Clear space in your RAM by closing out extra tabs or programs. Attempting to multitask will absorb the available RAM quickly.
2. Buy a RAM stick with more memory and replace the original one.

Refer to the RAM replacement guide for more information on the process.

Search Windows for Disk Cleanup and select the C: drive when prompted. The app scans for files to remove and describes information about each file type. Click OK to delete the selected files.

Note: You can reduce the risk of crashing the device during operation by regularly performing these tasks to maintain your computer hard drive and storage capabilities.

Heat buildup can cause problems for any laptop . As a result, it is crucial to ensure your device is operating at normal temperatures.

Dust can accumulate and clog the air vents, causing excess heat to build up inside the case and damage components. Clean the laptop by blowing out the dust from around the fan and heat shield vents on the side and bottom exterior of the laptop. The appliances listed can all be used to remove dust from the exterior and interior components of the device:

1. Can of compressed air
2. Vacuum cleaner on blow function
3. Hair dryer on cool air mode

The computer may not be able to pull in air to cool itself, check the fan and see if it is operating while the computer is in use. If it is not, replace the fan and supply cooling to the device using the fan replacement guide.

Here are some preventive measures that can reduce the amount of work and heat generated by the laptop:

• Prevent software from starting when the computer is started.
• Close software programs when you are done using them.
• Log off the Internet when you are not actively browsing the Internet.
• If your computer gets hot when playing games, try playing the game at a lower resolution and with decreased graphics settings.

The steps in this section are meant to resolve audio issues on your computer. If there is no sound coming from the speakers, or the sound is muffled, intermittent, crackling/popping, or otherwise distorted then try this process to fix the problem.

Note: If you are using external speakers, they might be faulty. Check the connections. If not try using another set of speakers, or a pair of headphones, with your device. This will determine whether the problem is with the first set of audio outputs or the laptop itself.

1. In the settings, go to sounds and audio.
2. Select troubleshooting sound problems.
3. Choose the option for audio playback.
4. When the troubleshooting is complete it will list the problems found and how it corrected them.
5. Confirm the application of the changes made to your device.

1. In Windows, search for and double-click on Device Manager.
2. Open Sound, video and game controllers.
3. If a sound device is listed and has a down arrow , then the device is disabled. Right-click the sound device name and select Enable to enable the device.
4. Right-click the sound device and select Update Driver Software to allows windows to check for and install any updated drivers found.
5. Restart the computer.
6. Test for sound. If you cannot find a driver or the audio problem persists after using Device Manager, try a solution from this HP support site.

Note: Examine the wires to determine they are secured in the port.

If there is power going to the laptop and it seems to be operating but there is no display output from the monitor, the LCD screen may be internally damaged. Here are some options before replacing the screen.

First, restart the computer. Some display problems resolve automatically when the computer is restarted. If that didn't resolve the issue, access and adjust the display resolution following these instructions:

1. Click Start and search ‘Resolution’.
2. Select Change the screen resolution from the options.
3. In the Advanced Display Settings page click the arrow next to Resolution.
4. Click the Recommended display resolution, then click Apply.

Some problems with the display resolution can be resolved by adjusting the resolution. The resolution might not be restored to the original settings due to a video game, for example.

Test for a defective display by use the following steps:

1. Connect the computer to an external monitor with a VGA or HDMI connector cable.
2. Connect AC power to the computer and the external monitor.
3. Press the Power button on the computer, and then press the Power button on the external monitor.

This will determine whether the issue is a startup problem or just the display. If an image displays on the external monitor but not on the computer display.

Review our guide for LCD screen replacement for information on screen replacement.