Dell Inspiron 14R-5421 Troubleshooting

The laptop will not respond or show any sign of powering up

Ensure the power adapter is plugged in and connected to the laptop charging port, try to turn on the laptop. If it still not, consider purchasing a replacement for the adapter.

If the computer won’t start even when connected to the power adapter, then you might have a dead battery, try replacing it following this guide.

Your computer does not load the Operating System and instead takes you to an error message.

Your computer might not be showing any sign of booting up because of your screen, see if your screen is connect to external monitor or tv, if so, try to disconnect it as that might mean your laptop is sending the video output to your external device.

It could be that the computer is not fully charged, try charging the laptop.

If you are getting the blue screen of dead, a blue screen with some white text, try reinstalling the OS by using the windows installer, it might have come with your laptop when you purchase it.

=== Damaged or Disconnected RAM===

If the above solution doesn’t solve it, then, make sure the RAM is not dead and seating in correctly, usually when the RAM is not working properly, the laptop will make some beeping noise. if it is, follow this guide to replace the RAM.

It is possible that the CPU might have died, usually when the CPU is dead the fans will spin for a short amount of time and then it will shut itself down. If that is the case, replace the CPU.

The keys on your keyboard won't respond or appear to be broken or missing.

If the entire keyboard fails to respond when you press on a key, it might be because the keyboard drivers or the OS is not update, go to windows update and see if you can update it from there. Alternative, look for other programs that will update your drivers. In the case that updating your drivers doesn't work, it might mean that your keyboard has stop working completely, try replacing it with this guide.

When keys can't be pressed, there may be something below the physical key holding it up. To fix this, remove the key and make sure nothing is stuck below it. You may need to wipe off the area underneath. Once it is sufficiently clean, snap the key back into position.

If you only see a white circle and not the letter of the keys, it means that your keys are missing. You can snap a new keys in instead of buying a new keyboard.

The monitor on your Dell Inspiron 14r 5421 and you know the computer is turned on.

The computer may be operating in an incorrect resolution. To fix this, double check the Resolution settings by right-clicking the desktop and selecting “Screen Resolution.” The ideal resolution for the Dell Inspiron 14r 5421 is 1366 x 768.

Another problem that may occur is your driver being outdated, try to open up control panel and update your windows, usually windows will update the old drivers to a new one. If that does not work, search online for ways on how to update your drivers.

It is possible that the connector that connects your display to your laptop is not connected properly. Open the laptop and reconnect the cables of your display.

If your screen has been cracked, buy a new screen and replace the whole screen, you can not replace just the side that is broken.

While you are working, your computer randomly shuts off without notification.

Computers can overheat due to excessive dust and other materials stuck in the vents or fan. To fix this, use a compressed air duster to carefully blow the dust off the vents and fan.

If you notice that the battery of the device is heating up even when you not doing any intensive task, it could be because of the weather in your current location. You would be better off by purchasing a new battery and follow this guide to replace it.

Your computer may not have adequate contact between the heat sink and processor. This is usually caused by a lack of thermal paste or by air in between the two components. To fix this, completely clean off any old thermal paste, then apply a bead of new thermal paste directly in the center of the processor. Gently push the heat sink back in place and tighten screws to lock down the heat sink.

You have trouble listening to sounds on your computer.

Test audio through the computer speakers, then test it using headphones. If the audio is only distorted while listening via headphones, the audio jack or the headphones themselves may be faulty. Audio that cuts in and out is often a sign of a loose audio jack, so make sure the audio jack is fully inserted in the computer.

If the audio sound is distorted when listening through the laptop’s speakers, the audio driver may be corrupt. Search for Dell Inspiron 14r 5421 Click “Dell Inspiron 14r 5421” then click “Drivers & Software.” Click the “Audio” tab and select and download the appropriate driver. Go to Control Panel -> Device Manager -> Sound Controllers. Click on your sound card and click “Update driver.” Select your updated driver, then restart the computer.

Your Dell Inspiron 14r 5421 will not read any CD's or DVDs.

If your Dell Inspiron 14r 5421 optical drive does not open or does not read CD's or DVDs, the optical drive may be broken and needs to be replaced. Follow this guide to fix the problem.