As schools and universities prepare to get back into full swing, students and teachers alike are starting to get ready too. When it comes to classwork, they’ll do much of this on their laptops.

Unfortunately, though, everyone’s laptop has limited time on this planet. And in many cases, these devices will choose to give up on us when we need them the most—such as in the middle of an academic year.

But don’t worry. You can ease the damage before it sets in. Here are five signs your laptop won’t last the academic year and what you can do about it.

Is My Laptop on Its Last Legs?

Photo of a person stressed at their laptop

Unless you’ve dropped it from the top of a skyscraper or accidentally spilled water on your device, laptops rarely die without warning. Here are five warning signs that you should not ignore.

1. Your Device Is Beginning to Slow Down

Computers slow down for numerous reasons. For example, you might not have downloaded the latest version of your device’s software. In other cases, your laptop might not perform as well as it once did because you’ve got too much saved on your storage.

But sometimes, the reason your laptop begins to slow down is simply that it’s nearing the end of its lifespan.

If you suspect this is the reason, we’ll go through how you can address things before it’s too late further down in this article. In the meantime, it’s worth checking out these common mistakes slowing down your laptop.

2. Your Battery Doesn’t Charge Like It Used To

The battery life on every gadget declines as we use them more over time. While this degradation is natural, that doesn’t make it any less annoying.

You won’t notice a drastic difference straight away. Instead, the decline is more gradual. Keep an eye on your battery life and how often you need to charge your computer.

Related: Gadgets and Devices You Must Unplug Overnight

3. Your Computer Keeps Freezing

Like slowing down, your computer might freeze for several reasons. In some cases, your computer may stop working because an app you’re using isn’t responding. Alternatively, you could have malware on your device.

In other cases, the answer might be more simple: your computer is getting ready to call it a day.

If you notice that your laptop starts freezing more often than before, consider whether any offending apps are responsible for this. If you suspect that someone has infected your device with malware, consider taking these steps to remove it.

If you’ve exhausted all of your options but haven’t fixed the problem, you might want to consider your next laptop upgrade.

4. Your Computer Keeps Shutting Down

Picture this: you’re on the verge of finishing your PowerPoint presentation for next week’s exam. And then, as soon as you insert the final slide, your computer shuts down without warning.

Computers shut down on their own for various reasons, including if your device has too much internal dust. The dust build-up might have caused your laptop to overheat, and it needs a break before it can work again.

If your computer regularly shuts down without reason, and you can’t link it to a specific problem, it’s time to consider looking at what you can do next. One option is to give your laptop a proper clean!

5. You Can’t Update to the Latest Software

This is a tricky one because, at first, you probably won’t notice a difference in your computer’s performance if you can’t update your software. Over time, though, you’ll likely discover that your laptop begins slowing down—or that certain features stop working.

Not updating your software can also leave you open to security risks, which could cause additional problems further down the line. And if your device wasn’t already dying, a freshly installed virus might change that.

What Can I Do if My Laptop Is Dying?

Photo of a person writing notes next to their laptop

So, what can you do if your laptop looks like it won’t last the school year?

Since you’re already aware of the potential problems you’re running toward, you’re already one step ahead of everyone else. Now, you’re in the enviable position where you can act early.

Here are four things you can do if you suspect that your laptop could die shortly.

1. Clear Your Storage

If your laptop’s problems relate to performance, you can always try decluttering your device as a first resort. Go through your storage and delete or backup any apps and files you don’t use.

Once you’ve cleared out your storage, reset your laptop and check whether you can notice a difference. If you can’t, move on to the steps below.

2. Get the Problem Diagnosed

While you can self-diagnose the issue with your laptop, you might not diagnose it accurately. Therefore, getting an expert to take a look is a smart idea.

Take your laptop to a local repair store and get someone to look at the issue in more depth. Even if they can’t fix it, you’ll at least know what you have to do next.

3. Check Your Warranty

Almost every newly purchased laptop comes with a warranty, which usually lasts for a year. Even if you’ve got a second-hand device, some sellers will give you a guarantee when you buy from them.

Realistically, your laptop should never die naturally within the first year. But sometimes, it happens. Even if your device isn’t on its last legs, getting the problem fixed while it’s still covered could save you a lot of money.

If the warranty period has passed for your computer, check if your seller has a discount on repairs. It’s worth taking advantage of this if they do.

4.Prepare to Buy a New Laptop

If you’ve got this far and you still don’t have a solution, we’re afraid that it might be time to start preparing for the end of your laptop. It’s worth putting aside some money each month to save for a device, meaning the financial impact won’t be as hard when it comes time to upgrade.

Since you’re still in education, you could also get special discounts. This is true if you’re looking to buy a Mac from Apple, while other sellers might also have special student rates. So, have a look and see if any take your fancy.

Related: How to Get Apple’s Student Discount

Knowing That You Might Need a Laptop Soon Will Ease the Pain

When getting ready for the academic year, reviewing your equipment and determining whether you’ll need to upgrade any of it soon is a smart idea. You’ll not only be able to diagnose the issue quicker but can also start preparing financially by looking for deals and saving some money.

Go through the common issues on this list and see if something else might cause your laptop to perform worse. If that’s not the case, make a solid plan now and get ready to upgrade.