What should I do if my laptop smells like burning?
A burning smell, smoke or sparks means something electrical has failed. Stop using it straight away.
Treat this as urgent. Stop using it the way it is and get it to a technician as soon as you can.
What usually causes it
- Failed charger or power supply
- Burnt part on the motherboard
- Damaged or swelling battery
Most likely first. A hands-on test confirms which one it is.
What you can safely check
- Unplug it from the wall, and switch off the socket if you can
- Move it onto a hard surface, away from curtains or anything that can burn
Please don't
- Don't switch it on again to “see if it's okay”
- Don't charge it
- If there are flames, don't use water on it: smother it or use a CO2 extinguisher
Not sure it's this? Check yours in a minute
Bring it in as soon as it's cool. Tell us exactly where the smell or smoke came from. Our free repair checker asks a few quick questions about your laptop or desktop and tells you the most likely cause.
No diagnosis fee. Clear quote before any work. Visit us: Yaba, Lagos · Owerri · +234 902 730 1128
Questions people ask
What should I do if my laptop smells like burning?
A burning smell, smoke or sparks means something electrical has failed. Stop using it straight away. The most common causes are: failed charger or power supply; burnt part on the motherboard; damaged or swelling battery.
What can I safely check myself?
Unplug it from the wall, and switch off the socket if you can. Move it onto a hard surface, away from curtains or anything that can burn.
What should I avoid doing?
Don't switch it on again to “see if it's okay”. Don't charge it. If there are flames, don't use water on it: smother it or use a CO2 extinguisher.
Where can I get it fixed in Lagos or Owerri?
ENB Technologies repairs laptops and desktops at our offices in Yaba, Lagos and in Owerri, Imo State. There's no diagnosis fee, you get a clear quote before any work, and most common repairs are done the same day. Call or WhatsApp +234 902 730 1128.
Written by the ENB Technologies repair team from the faults we see on the bench every week.
ENB TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (RC 7714368) repairs laptops and desktops in Yaba, Lagos and Owerri. This page is general information, not a diagnosis of your device. Please don't open your device or try hardware repairs yourself.
