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From my own experience with Asus ROG and TUF laptops, they are very solid, but that doesn’t mean software and hardware issues can’t arise from time to time. Like all laptops, Asus machines aren’t immune to software bugs, loose connections, and hardware issues. Named after the mythical Greek flying horse “Pegasus” via an abbreviated namesake, Asus dominates the laptop market through its Zenbook, Vivobook, ROG, TUF and ProArt lines, so many people live with an Asus laptop every day.
Owners will eventually encounter a frustrating quirk thanks to Asus laptops being everywhere, so naturally there will be more visible complaints than with smaller brands. Asus is a major and legitimate player in the PC and laptop markets, specifically a publicly traded Taiwanese company that is not owned by any parent company.
Considering my experience with Asus laptops, I have collected the five most common problems with Asus laptops and how to fix them correctly. Most of these fixes can also be applied to other laptops, so even if readers aren’t currently using an Asus machine or considering purchasing one, it’s worth knowing the warning signs for the problems below before a small problem becomes a bigger problem.
Overheating, fan noise and thermal throttling
This is usually the most common problem with Asus laptops, and it’s often the most preventable. Dust is a laptop’s worst enemy, short of pouring a can of Monster into the fan vents (don’t do that), but it can easily be cleaned using canned air or a desktop vacuum like the Hoto Air Duster & Vacuum.
For those who want to remove the back panel and dust the interior of an Asus laptop, I would recommend using something like the Olight ArkPro Flashlight to check components with a good amount of spotlight and spot lighting, and its UV light is fantastic for double-checking components for stubborn bits of dust or liquid stains that need cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.
Many users complain about overheating, noisy fans, and thermal throttling when using an Asus laptop, but this usually depends on how it is used. Running any laptop on a bed or soft surface without a cooling pad in gaming mode is a very good way to fry the components. I use a wooden laptop tray with a padded bottom to use my MainGear Ultima 18 when I’m away from my desk, and it works great while still being comfortable.
Battery drain and charging issues
Rapid battery drain and charging quirks are another common complaint, but again, this is likely due to certain usage patterns rather than a hardware failure. If an Asus laptop battery is draining too quickly or not charging completely, Windows Optimization can help. I recently covered how to get Xbox Mode on PCs and laptops, and there are some fantastic tools to use for everyday users, such as Chris Titus Tech’s Windows utility that can stop unnecessary processes in Windows, meaning better battery life.
It’s also a good idea to check the dedicated Asus app and Armory Crate for gaming laptops to apply BIOS and driver updates, as outdated drivers can sometimes be less power efficient. A big battery quality problem is leaving the laptop plugged in all the time. Use a power saving or balanced power profile to extend battery life, unplug the laptop when fully charged, and enable battery care mode typically found in the MyAsus app under Device Settings > Power & Performance. This will ensure that your battery doesn’t charge to 100%, keeping it healthy for longer.
If after all this, the Asus laptop no longer charges or drains its battery very quickly, the battery may need to be replaced. This can be dangerous if a battery is swollen or leaking, so be sure to contact Asus customer support before attempting to perform a replacement personally. A problem like this may be covered under warranty.
Slow performance and lag
Slow or degrading performance is usually caused by a neglected system. As I said before, there are many ways to optimize system performance. While Asus makes some of the most powerful laptops on the market, it’s rarely the hardware that lets users down in everyday use.
The first thing to check is your startup programs. Press the Windows button on your keyboard and search for “Startup Applications,” then disable anything unnecessary. I use Avast Cleanup Premium to clear unnecessary system files and automatically delete cached data and cookies from the Internet browser. It also helps clear broken registry keys – these can slow down almost any type of laptop. There are free options as well, but I’ve found Avast Cleanup Premium to make this quick and easy, and it’s well worth the annual or semi-annual fee. Optimizer is also a great program for unblocking Windows and getting rid of pesky telemetry in the Windows Start menu, while making Windows Copilot free.
A full hard drive can also slow down processes. A quick solution to this problem is to move anything that isn’t used very often, like photos, videos, or files from past projects, to an external SSD. Asus gaming laptops usually also come with an additional M.2 SSD port on their motherboard, so installing an extra 1-4 terabytes of storage is as easy as buying another M.2 drive and plugging it in. For those on a budget, there are plenty of encrypted cloud services, such as IceDrive, to store everything instead.
Display issues: flickering, black screens and brightness
This was an issue with my last Asus ROG Strix laptop that I purchased about four years ago. The screen continued to work intermittently, then not. Fortunately, in my experience, Asus laptops are quite repair-friendly. I managed to remove the front bezel, carefully remove the protective tape around the screen and remove the panel. It turned out to be a loose connection, which I then plugged back in, secured with a bit of electrical tape, and put the whole thing back together.
Screen flickering, black screens at startup, and brightness not adjusting can also be software issues. The first solution for display issues is to update your graphics drivers, which may differ depending on the Asus laptop. For Nvidia, use the Nvidia app; for AMD, use Adrenalin; and for Intel, use the Intel Driver and Support tool. Otherwise, go to the MyAsus app to get all the driver support you need. Armory Crate on Asus gaming laptops is also a good update center.
If none of this resolves the issue, try using an external monitor on your USB-C and HDMI ports. If it works, make sure to back up all files and revert to an earlier system restore point to try to resolve the issue. Failing that, try reinstalling Windows and if the laptop display problem persists, contact Asus customer support to make a warranty claim or get a repair quote.
Wi-Fi and connectivity issues
Wi-Fi and overall connection issues with any laptop can be a difficult problem to diagnose and fix, and can also affect Bluetooth in some cases. The truth here is that the network cards in some Asus laptops aren’t the best, which is a small issue to worry about from an otherwise solid laptop brand. But let’s start with software fixes before getting into the laptop.
Using Wi-Fi diagnostic software that checks channel status, like Oscium’s line of programs, is a good start. For a quick fix, try restarting the router and laptop to see if the situation improves – but if this is common, it’s worth digging deeper. Go to the MyAsus app and make sure there are no pending WLAN, Ethernet, or Bluetooth driver updates. If that doesn’t help, try disabling and re-enabling the appropriate network adapter in Windows Device Manager.
If that doesn’t work, try plugging an Ethernet cable from the router directly into the laptop to see if a wired connection works. If so, it may be a problem with the network card’s Wi-Fi antenna. It’s a good idea to check iFixit for a video or guide dedicated to the specific Asus laptop model. From there it would be a matter of finding the loose connection and securing it. If that fails, it may be time to replace the Wi-Fi adapter or file a warranty claim.
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