Is My Laptop Hardware Failing? A Friendly Guide to Built-In Diagnostics

If your laptop has been freezing, crashing, running hot, or just “feeling off,” you’ve probably wondered: Is my hardware going bad, or is it just Windows/macOS acting up?

The good news is that most modern laptops come with built-in hardware diagnostics that can test your memory, hard drive/SSD, battery, and more—no extra tools needed.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why running hardware tests is worth your time

• How to run built-in diagnostics on:

- Dell

- HP

- ASUS

- Mac (Apple Diagnostics)

• What to do with the results

  
  

Why Bother Running Hardware Tests?

Running these built-in tests every few months—or whenever something feels wrong—has real benefits:

1. Catch Failing Parts Early

   Diagnostics can spot bad memory, a dying SSD/HDD, or a weak battery before they cause data loss or total failure.

   
   

2. Save Time on Troubleshooting

   If the hardware checks out, you can focus on software fixes (drivers, updates, malware, etc.) instead of guessing.

   
   

3. Better Info for Tech Support

   Error codes from Dell, HP, ASUS, or Apple Diagnostics help support quickly identify what’s wrong and speed up repairs.

   
   

4. Peace of Mind

   When you’re about to travel, sell your laptop, or use it for something important (like work or school), a clean hardware report is reassuring.

   
   

Before You Run Any Tests (All Brands)

Do these things first, no matter what laptop you have:

• Plug in Your Charger

Some tests take a while, and you don’t want the laptop dying mid-test.

• Shut Down All Apps

Save your work and close programs so nothing interferes.

• Disconnect Unnecessary USB Devices

Leave just the power, keyboard, mouse, and display (especially on Mac).

• Be Ready to Write Down Error Codes

You’ll often see short codes like 2000-0142 (Dell) or PPM002 (Mac). These are important.

Now let’s go brand by brand.

Dell Laptops: How to Run Built-In Diagnostics

Dell gives you two main ways to test your hardware:

1. Pre-Boot Diagnostics (ePSA) – runs before Windows starts.

2. SupportAssist – runs from inside Windows.

   
   

Option 1: Dell Pre-Boot Diagnostics (ePSA)

Use this if your laptop is crashing, won’t boot properly, or you want a deeper test.

• Turn the Laptop Off.

• Plug in the Power Adapter.

• Turn the Laptop On.

As soon as you see the Dell logo, repeatedly tap F12 until the One Time Boot Menu appears.

• Use the arrow keys to highlight Diagnostics and press Enter.

Dell’s pre-boot diagnostics will start:

- You may see tests for memory, hard drive/SSD, CPU, and more.

- You might be asked to confirm certain tests—just follow the on-screen prompts.

• When the test finishes:

- Write down any error codes and validation codes.

- If everything passes, you’ll see that no hardware issues were detected.

Option 2: Dell SupportAssist (Inside Windows)

If Windows still loads, you can run tests from Dell’s SupportAssist app.

1. Open SupportAssist:

   Click Start and type “SupportAssist”, then launch it.

   
   

2. In the app, go to the Support or Home section (depending on version).

   
   

3. Look for “Test My Hardware” and click Get Started.

   
   

4. Choose:

5. Scan My Entire PC for a full system check, or

7. Check a Specific Piece of Hardware (for example, storage or memory).




8. Click Start and let the scan run.

   
   

9. When it’s done:

10. Note any warnings or error codes.

12. SupportAssist may suggest fixes or link you to Dell support.

HP Laptops: Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI)

HP includes HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI, a tool that runs outside Windows and can test components like memory, storage, and battery.

How to Launch HP UEFI Hardware Diagnostics

1. Turn Off the Laptop.

2. Press the Power Button to turn it back on.

3. Immediately start tapping Esc once per second until the Startup Menu appears.

4. On the Startup Menu, press F2 for System Diagnostics (HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI).

   
   

Running System Tests on HP

Once you’re in the diagnostics menu:

1. Use the arrow keys or mouse (if supported) to select System Tests.

   
   

2. Choose one of the following:

3. Quick Test – basic check of major components.

5. Extensive Test – deeper, longer test (recommended if you suspect hardware issues).




6. Click Run Once (or similar) to start the test.

   
   

7. Let the test finish. This may take 20–60 minutes for extensive tests.

   
   

8. When it completes:

9. Look for results like Passed, Failed, or Error.

11. Write down any failure IDs or error codes. These are what HP support will ask for.

Optional: Component Tests

From the diagnostics menu, you can also test specific parts, such as:

• Memory (RAM)

• Hard Drive / SSD

• Battery

  
  

Select Component Tests, choose the device you want to test, and follow the prompts.

ASUS Laptops: BIOS Diagnostics & MyASUS

On newer ASUS laptops, you may have two ways to run diagnostics:

1. System Diagnostics in UEFI/BIOS

2. MyASUS – System Diagnosis (inside Windows)

   
   

Exact screens can vary slightly by model, but the basics are similar.

Option 1: ASUS System Diagnostics (UEFI/BIOS)

1. Turn Off Your ASUS Laptop.

2. Turn It On, and immediately start tapping F2 (on some models, Esc) to enter the BIOS Utility (UEFI). ASUS

   
   

3. Once in BIOS:

5. Press F7 to switch to Advanced Mode (if required). ROG Forum




6. Look for a menu item such as System Diagnostics or ASUS System Diagnostics in the advanced section.

   
   

7. Open System Diagnostics:

9. You’ll see options to test memory, storage, or run a full system scan.




10. Start the desired test and let it complete.

    
    

11. Note any error codes or failures shown at the end.

    
    

Option 2: MyASUS – System Diagnosis (Inside Windows)

Many ASUS laptops come with the MyASUS app pre-installed.

1. In Windows, click Start and type “MyASUS”, then open it.

   
   

2. In MyASUS, go to System Diagnosis or System Diagnosis / Checkup (name may vary).

   
   

3. You’ll typically see:

4. One-Click Diagnosis – runs a set of recommended tests.

6. Customized Diagnosis – choose which components to test.




7. Select One-Click Diagnosis for a simple full check, or pick specific items in Customized Diagnosis.

   
   

8. Click Checkup or Start to begin.

   
   

9. Review the final report:

10. Pass usually means hardware is fine.

12. Any warnings or errors should be written down for future troubleshooting.

MacBooks: Using Apple Diagnostics

All modern Macs, including MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, come with Apple Diagnostics, a built-in tool that tests hardware like memory, logic board, and wireless components.

The steps are slightly different depending on whether you have a Mac with Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3) or an Intel-based Mac.

Step 1: Prepare Your Mac

1. Install macOS Updates, if possible.

2. Shut Down Your Mac:

   Apple menu  → Shut Down.

   
   

3. Disconnect all external devices except:

4. Power adapter

5. Keyboard

6. Mouse/trackpad

8. Display (if desktop)

Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3)

1. With the Mac off, press and hold the power button (Touch ID button on laptops).

   
   

2. Keep holding until you see startup options and an Options icon (gear).

   
   

3. Release the power button.

   
   

4. On the keyboard, press and hold Command (⌘) + D until your Mac restarts into Apple Diagnostics. Apple Support

   
   

5. Follow the on-screen instructions:

7. A progress bar will appear while tests run.




8. When the test finishes:

9. Write down any reference codes shown.

11. You can choose to Run the test again or Restart.

Intel-Based Macs

1. With the Mac shut down, turn it on.

   
   

2. Immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard.

   If that doesn’t work, restart and try Option (⌥) + D to run diagnostics from the internet.

   
   

3. Release the key when you see a progress bar or a screen asking you to choose a language.

   
   

4. Apple Diagnostics will run and show results when finished.

   
   

5. Again, write down any reference codes—you can look these up on Apple’s site or share them with Apple Support.

   
   

What To Do With Error Codes or Failures

If any of your tests fail or show warnings, here’s what to do next:

1. Look Up the Code on the Manufacturer’s Site

   Dell, HP, ASUS, and Apple all have pages where you can enter error or reference codes for more details.

   
   

2. Back Up Your Data Immediately

   If storage or memory is failing, protect your files first (external drive, cloud storage, etc.).

   
   

3. Check Your Warranty Status

   If your laptop is still under warranty, repairs might be free or discounted.

   
   

4. Contact Support or a Repair Shop

   Provide the error code, test type you ran, and any strange symptoms (freezing, noises, etc.).

   
   

If all tests pass but your laptop is still slow or unstable, the problem is likely:

• Software/drivers

• Malware

• Corrupt system files

• Overheating due to dust or poor airflow

  
  

In that case, you may want to move on to tune-up, cleanup, or software troubleshooting steps.

Final Thoughts

Your laptop’s built-in hardware tests are like a free health checkup built right into the machine. Spend 15–30 minutes running them, and you’ll:

• Know whether your hardware is healthy

• Catch potential failures early

• Have real information (not just guesses) to share with support

  
  

So, go ahead and give those diagnostics a whirl! Your laptop will thank you.