How to use a broken laptop or smartphone
News Technologies / / December 30, 2020
Tricks in case your gadget has failed keys, screen, speaker, touchpad or microphones.
If your mouse or touchpad is broken
You can even control your computer without a mouse or touchpad. You just need to know which keys to press. Check out the list hot keys for Windows and macOS. Of course, the matter is not limited to them, but for a start this is enough. You can find even more keyboard shortcuts on the pages Microsoft and Apple.
Hotkeys are good, but it is still difficult to work with the system without a cursor. Enable arrow control from the keyboard - preferably before you have any problems with the mouse. For this:
- In Windows, click Start → Settings → Accessibility → Mouse and enable the option “Control the mouse with the keyboard”.
- On macOS, click System Preferences → Accessibility → Mouse and Trackpad. Activate the option "Enable control keys". Or, if the mouse is already broken, press Option + Command + F5. The Universal Access window opens. Select Enable Control Keys with the arrows and press Enter.
Now you can move the cursor using the NumPad buttons or the keys on the right side of the laptop keyboard (pictured above).
Mac also includes Switch Control, which lets you control your computer from your iOS device. Apple explains how its turn on.
Read also🧐
- What to do if the mouse does not work
If the keyboard is broken
The easiest way to cope with the problem when the entire keyboard or individual elements on it does not work is to use virtual version.
- In Windows, click Start → Accessibility → On-Screen Keyboard.
- On macOS, click Apple Menu (the apple logo on the menu bar) → System Preferences → Accessibility → Keyboard → Accessibility Keyboard. Activate the Enable Assistive Keyboard option.
Now you can click with the mouse on the keys on the screen and type text.
Mac computers can also be controlled using voice commands. To do this, click Apple Menu → System Preferences → Accessibility → Voice Control → Turn On Voice Control. For a list of supported commands, you can on the Apple website. On Windows 10 voice control also exists, but it is not yet available in Russian.
Read also🧐
- Why the keyboard doesn't work and how to fix it
If the laptop screen is broken
Most laptops have video output ports that allow you to connect external monitors to them. So, if your gadget's screen is broken, connect it to an external display or even a TV. Then press the following keys:
- in Windows - Win + P;
- on macOS - Command + F1.
This will switch your laptop or all-in-one to an external display. You will be able to work or at least extract data before repairing in the service.
Another option for Mac owners with a damaged monitor is to use the iPad as a display. To do this, you need to enable Sidecar function. But since it is problematic to do this with only one keyboard, it is better to connect iPad to Mac before the display problems arise.
If the smartphone screen is broken
We strongly advise against using a smartphone with a broken screen, as this can damage it even more. However, if you just need access to the gadget, and the screen does not work, you can resort to the voice assistant. Use commands Google Assistant or Sirito send someone a text message or letter, turn music on or off, or answer a call.
You can also control a smartphone with a broken screen from a computer if you have installed it on it in advance. special applications.
Read also🧐
- Why you can't use a smartphone with a broken screen
If the smartphone buttons do not work
Physical keys on smartphones, such as the volume rocker and power button, fail faster than a touchscreen. But you can use the gadget without them.
For example, you can wake up the device from sleep mode not with the power button, but by touching the fingerprint scanner.
On iPhone, enable AssistiveTouchby tapping Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch. It will allow you to replace gestures with actions from non-working buttons.
On Android, you can find the function “Special abilities»In the settings menu to control your smartphone with gestures. Or install the Gravity Screen and Assistive Volume Button apps. The first allows you to turn on the gadget simply by picking it up, the second adjusts the volume from the screen, without the need to use physical buttons.
Price: Free
Price: Free
If the speaker or microphone of the smartphone does not work
Everything is quite simple and trite here. Connect wired headphones with a microphone to the device, or connect a Bluetooth headset. So you can listen to music and chat, even if the built-in microphones and speakers in your smartphone have failed.
Remember that all of the above are trade-offs and workarounds. If your laptop or smartphone does not work as expected, do not delay the repair and take the device to a service center.
Read also🧐
- 15 bad habits that can kill your laptop
- How to check the battery of a laptop, smartphone or tablet
- 12 Silly Things You Can Do With Your Smartphone