How to Repair Defective Devices Yourself!

If a printer, phone or other household appliance stops working, repairs by customer service can be expensive. But many defects can be remedied yourself.

Some people speak of the “device zoo” and mean the multitude of electrical devices that should make life at home and on the go easier. But, all of these home helpers can also break down. Mobile devices such as smartphones and home appliances are particularly affected, and the display is by far the most common type of damage.

Defective Devices, Causes of Errors, and the Right Repair Idea

Regardless of the type of damage or defect, a lot of things can be repaired comparatively easily by yourself because the Internet provides countless help. 

This is true even if you have never dealt with the problem before – for example, the author of this guide recently replaced a phone display for the first time. You do not need to know beforehand how to disassemble the device in question, replace components or remedy the defect. 

You can usually find out with a normal internet search. Google lists the appropriate instructions, forums, video tutorials, testimonials or product reviews. At this point, please take some time to narrow down the suspected cause of the defect.

For example here is how to replace a screen on a Samsung s9

The next step is to find the right spare part and to estimate the effort and difficulty of the repair. This is where the many explanatory instructions on the web and the presentation of the do-it-yourself videos on YouTube are helpful. 

In Australia, eBay is one of the cheapest websites to purchase phone and appliance parts – it’s often essential to know the exact model and part name. You can find this either in the operating instructions, on the type label directly on the device, or on the invoice.

Is the professional repair worthwhile or do I try it myself?

Once you have made the correct diagnosis, there are several questions: Can I do the repair myself? What does the spare part cost? How much does the professional ask for? Is the repair worth it at all? The questions can only be answered for the specific case, as our practical examples show.

Let’s start with a home appliance. For example, if your fridge breaks down there is often $100’s worth of food in both the cooler and freezer. Time is of the essence, so waiting for 2 weeks for a part from eBay just really isn’t an option. Here’s where hiring a local professional to fix it the same day would be much cheaper than letting all your food go off. Someone with a low call-out fee like Quality Appliance Repair who repairs appliances all across Australia would be a good option.  

The notebook’s display is broken, the laptop can no longer be used. By connecting to a PC monitor or television, it is quickly checked whether the notebook is still working and really only the screen is striking. 200 euros for repairs by a specialist company are hardly worthwhile for an older computer, the replacement display costs around a third and can be installed in a good half an hour without much know-how!

Another example: After tens of thousands of printed pages, the exposure unit of the laser printer is worn out and must be replaced. It costs almost 180 euros in the manufacturer’s online shop, which is practically as much as the same printer currently new. But exactly the same part is also much cheaper.

We come to the cracked smartphone display, specifically that of a high-quality Google Pixel, “Mobile phone clinics” as well as Google’s official repair service charge just under 200 euros. However, without a guarantee that it will stay that way, after all, it is not immediately clear in advance whether the device is not damaged in any other way. With a two-year-old mobile phone, this sum already represents an investment that needs to be carefully considered. The author, therefore, dared to try it himself, ordered an absolutely high-quality replacement display in Asia for just under 30 euros and then successfully exchanged the display using an online description and several YouTube clips.

And even if this attempt had failed, no damage would have occurred apart from the cheap display, because the phone was practically worthless beforehand.

When Other Household Appliances Stop Working

For household appliances beyond PC, telephone, and IT, the above applies in principle: First, take the time to search for errors and spare parts, realistically estimate the effort and difficulty involved in repairs, and then decide whether you can do the repairs. In the case of electrical devices, however, a lot of work on the 230 V electrical part may only be carried out by specialists (see box “Always exercise caution”). If the washing machine or dishwasher or dryer is defective, there is an additional transport problem. Then a technician must realistically come to your home.

Conclusion

These are all examples – in your home, other devices will certainly not work. But now you know how to find specific help and support on the Internet – even if, like the author, you have never dealt with the respective problems before. In addition to saving money, a successful repair also gives you the good feeling of having learned something and “done”.