Decision guide
When is hardware replacement justified?
Last updated September 30, 2026
Replacement should be the conclusion of diagnosis, not the first troubleshooting step.
Look for repeatability
A repeatable symptom under the same conditions is stronger evidence than a one-time failure.
Use a comparison device
A known-good keyboard, cable, charger or peripheral can isolate the failing layer without invasive repair.
Separate Windows errors from physical symptoms
Device problem codes and driver failures deserve a software-side path. A healthy device state does not prove perfect hardware, but it rules out some classes of Windows-reported fault.
Document the reason
A good recommendation explains what failed, what was tested and why the proposed hardware addresses the observed boundary.