What to check before selling your old laptop

Before you sell or give away an old laptop, check that its main parts work and make a note of anything that does not. A few quick tests can help you set a fair price and avoid surprises for the next owner.

Start while you can still access the laptop and its files. TooLab's Test Everything runs browser-based checks step by step and gives you a report. Use it before you erase the laptop.

Check the laptop before you list it

1. Open Test Everything and follow the on-screen steps. Allow camera or microphone access when asked if you want to test those parts.
2. Check the keyboard, touch screen or trackpad, display, speakers, camera and microphone. Try the parts you use most, and note anything that responds inconsistently.
3. Check the battery and charging behavior. Battery Meter and Charger & Cable Test appear only if the browser can read battery information. If they appear, compare the reading while plugged in and unplugged.
4. Check the laptop's physical condition. Look for cracks, loose hinges, missing keys, a damaged charging port, swollen casing, and signs of liquid damage. Try each USB port with a device you know works.
5. Save the report or write down the results, then take clear photos of the laptop and any visible damage. Do not include personal files or account details in your photos.

Some checks need your permission to use the camera or microphone. The browser may not provide every test on every device, so a missing battery check, for example, does not prove the battery is faulty.

What the results mean

The main tests work as expected

The laptop's tested parts respond in the browser. That is useful evidence, but it is not a guarantee that every feature works in every app or under heavy use. Describe the laptop as tested, rather than promising that it is like new.

A test fails or behaves inconsistently

Repeat the check once, then try the part in another app or with a known-good accessory. A problem that follows the laptop is worth disclosing. If the issue appears only in one app, it may be a setting or compatibility problem rather than broken hardware.

The battery check is missing or looks poor

A browser can show battery information only when the device reports it, and that reading is not a full battery health report. If the laptop shuts down quickly when unplugged, mention the short runtime and consider including the cost of a replacement battery in your asking price.

A port or feature has not been tested

Do not assume it works just because the laptop turns on. Test the port with a working accessory, or list it as untested. This is especially useful for older laptops with several USB ports, a headphone jack, or a memory card slot.

Fix simple problems before setting a price

1. Restart and repeat the check. A temporary software issue can stop a camera, microphone, or port from responding. Close other apps that might be using the device, then test it again.
2. Check sound and privacy settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Sound and check the selected input or output device. For camera or microphone access, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera or Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. On a Mac, check System Settings › Sound and System Settings › Privacy & Security, then review Camera or Microphone access.
3. Reconnect accessories and the charger. Try another USB port and a cable or charger you know works. Do not force a connector into a port that feels loose or obstructed.
4. Update or reinstall a driver only if you know the cause. If a device stopped working after a system change, check the laptop maker's support instructions for your exact model. Avoid installing random driver utilities before selling the computer.
5. Price around anything you cannot fix. A repair may be worthwhile for a valuable laptop. For an older or inexpensive model, disclosing the issue and lowering the price can be more sensible than paying for a repair.

When it needs repair

A cracked screen, loose hinge, failing charging port, repeated unexpected shutdowns, or a battery that makes the case bulge needs more than a browser test. Stop using a laptop with a swollen battery and arrange professional service. If the laptop is under warranty, check the warranty terms before opening it or paying for parts.

If you sell a laptop with a known fault, describe the symptom clearly and show it in a photo when possible. Do not describe a part as working if you could not test it.

Erase your personal data before handoff

1. Back up what you want to keep. Copy your documents, photos, saved files and browser data to storage you control. Open a few copied files to make sure the backup worked.
2. Sign out of your accounts. Sign out of email, cloud storage and other apps, and remove the laptop from account device lists when the service provides that option. Keep your passwords and recovery codes off the device.
3. Reset the operating system. In Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Recovery › Reset this PC, choose Remove everything, and select the option to clean data if Windows offers it. This takes longer and makes ordinary recovery harder, but is not a certified secure erase. On a supported Mac, open System Settings › General › Transfer or Reset › Erase All Content and Settings. Older Macs may need the macOS Recovery erase and reinstall process for their model.
4. Leave it at the setup screen. Keep the laptop plugged in during the reset. When it restarts to the initial welcome or setup screen, shut it down instead of signing in again.

Keep the charger and any accessories you are including, and state clearly what is and is not included in the sale.