Motherboard Repair Service
Professional laptop motherboard repair in London. Component-level diagnostics and repair using micro-soldering, thermal imaging, and advanced testing.
We fix power failures, liquid damage, and component failures. Diagnostic from £39.
Service Details
Professional Laptop Motherboard Repair Service in London
Expert component-level motherboard repair service for laptops in London. When modular parts aren’t the problem, we diagnose and repair faults directly on the motherboard itself using micro-soldering, thermal imaging, and precision diagnostic equipment. We fix power failures, liquid damage aftermath, and component-level faults that other repair shops can’t handle.
Signs Your Laptop Needs Motherboard Repair:
- No power at all: Laptop completely dead, no lights, no fans, no response when power button pressed
- Powers on but won’t boot: Fans spin, lights come on, but no display or stuck on manufacturer logo
- After liquid damage: Laptop was cleaned after liquid spill but still doesn’t work properly or at all
- Random shutdowns: Laptop turns off unexpectedly during use, especially under load
- Overheating issues: Laptop gets extremely hot even during basic tasks, thermal throttling constant
- After failed repair attempt: Someone attempted repair previously and made the problem worse
- Intermittent problems: Works sometimes but not others, behaviour unpredictable
- Component failures: Graphics not working, USB ports dead, audio failed, battery not charging despite new battery/charger
When Motherboard Repair Makes Sense:
Motherboard repair is worth considering in these scenarios:
- Repair cheaper than replacement: New motherboards often cost £200-£600 depending on laptop model. Component-level repair typically costs £120-£350, making it more economical in many cases.
- Motherboard no longer available: Older or rare laptop models where replacement motherboards are discontinued or extremely expensive.
- Data recovery priority: Storage drive is soldered directly to motherboard (common in modern ultra-thin laptops, MacBooks) or paired/encrypted with the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard means permanent data loss; repairing it preserves access.
- High-spec laptop worth saving: Expensive laptop with high-end specifications where repair is significantly cheaper than buying equivalent new laptop.
- Environmental concerns: Prefer repairing existing hardware rather than replacing entire motherboard or discarding laptop.
Important: Not Every Motherboard Problem Can Be Repaired
Motherboard repair success depends on the nature and extent of damage. Some failures are economically unrepairable – meaning the time required to diagnose and fix the problem exceeds the cost of motherboard replacement or even a new laptop.
Common unrepairable scenarios:
- Extensive liquid damage affecting multiple layers of the motherboard circuit
- Physical damage to the motherboard PCB (cracked board, broken traces across multiple areas)
- Failed CPU or GPU requiring chip replacement (most modern laptops use soldered CPUs/GPUs that cannot be replaced; BGA reballing for separation issues may be possible but extremely time-consuming)
- Damage requiring replacement of components no longer manufactured or unavailable
- Repair time would exceed 8-10 hours (making it economically unfeasible)
If repair isn’t feasible, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives. You’ll only pay the diagnostic fee (£39) if we cannot proceed with repair.
What Makes Motherboard Repair Different:
Motherboard repair is component-level work – we repair the motherboard itself, not just replace modular parts. This requires specialized expertise and equipment:
- Micro-soldering capability: Replacing tiny surface-mount components, repairing damaged solder joints, replacing charging ICs, power management chips
- Thermal imaging camera: Identifying overheating components, short circuits, failed voltage regulators
- Precision multimeters: Measuring voltages, resistances, and continuity across motherboard circuits
- Schematic knowledge: Understanding laptop motherboard circuits, power delivery paths, component relationships
- Microscope inspection: Visual inspection of components at high magnification to identify physical damage, corrosion, burned chips
- Component-level diagnosis: Testing individual capacitors, resistors, voltage regulators, power ICs, USB controllers, etc.
This detective work requires experience, specialized tools, and often takes several hours just to identify the root cause.
Advanced Repair: BGA Chip Reballing (CPU/GPU Separation Issues)
We offer BGA (Ball Grid Array) chip reballing and rework services for laptops with CPU or GPU separation problems – a common issue in gaming laptops where the processor or graphics chip partially detaches from the motherboard.
What is BGA reballing? The CPU and GPU in modern laptops are attached to the motherboard using hundreds of tiny solder balls (BGA – Ball Grid Array). Heat stress from gaming, overheating, or manufacturing defects can cause these solder connections to crack or separate, resulting in boot failures, graphics glitches, or complete system failure.
The challenge: Many laptop manufacturers coat BGA chips with black underfill adhesive for structural stability. This makes reballing extremely difficult and time-consuming – the chip must be carefully heated, removed, old solder cleaned, new solder balls applied, and chip precisely re-aligned and reflowed. The process can take 6-10 hours of highly skilled work.
When BGA reballing makes sense:
- High-end gaming laptop (RTX 3070/4070+ GPU, high-spec CPU) worth £1,200+
- Replacement motherboard costs £400-£800 or is discontinued
- Symptoms: artifacts on screen, boot failures, GPU not detected, works when pressure applied to chip area
- Data recovery needed from soldered/paired storage
Pricing: BGA reballing typically costs £300-£500 (6-10 hours labour + materials) depending on chip complexity and underfill removal difficulty. We’ll assess feasibility during diagnostics and provide detailed quote. We’ve successfully repaired numerous gaming laptop motherboards with GPU/CPU separation issues – for the right laptop, it’s worth the investment.
Success rate: Approximately 75-80% for GPU reballing, 70-75% for CPU reballing (CPU reballing is more complex due to additional structural support requirements).
Repair Timeline: Motherboard diagnostics take 1-5 working days depending on complexity. If repairable, actual repair work takes 1-3 additional days depending on parts availability and repair complexity. BGA reballing repairs require 2-4 additional working days due to specialized work involved. Total turnaround: typically 3-7 working days for standard repairs, 5-10 working days for BGA reballing.
Our Motherboard Repair Process:
Step 1: Initial Diagnostic Assessment (£39 – Waived if Repair Approved)
We begin with comprehensive diagnostics to determine if the problem is motherboard-related or caused by modular components (RAM, SSD, battery, etc.). This includes:
- Testing with known-good modular components to rule out simple failures
- Visual inspection under microscope for obvious damage (burned components, corrosion, physical damage)
- Initial power-on testing to determine if motherboard receives power
- Preliminary assessment of repair feasibility
If the problem is a simple modular component (faulty RAM, dead SSD, bad battery), we’ll identify this immediately and provide a quote for that repair instead. The £39 diagnostic fee is waived if you proceed with any repair.
Step 2: Component-Level Diagnostics (1-5 Working Days)
Once confirmed as motherboard issue, we perform detailed component-level diagnostics:
- Microscope inspection: Detailed visual examination of all motherboard components at high magnification
- Power injection testing: Connecting controlled power supply to identify where power delivery fails
- Thermal imaging: Using thermal camera to identify overheating components, short circuits, failed voltage regulators while board is powered
- Voltage measurements: Testing power rails, voltage regulators, and component power delivery with precision multimeter
- Component testing: Testing individual capacitors, resistors, diodes, MOSFETs, power ICs, USB controllers, and other components
- Circuit tracing: Following power delivery paths, data lines, and circuit connections to isolate fault
This is detective work – we follow the evidence, trace circuits, and narrow down the fault through systematic testing. Sometimes the problem is obvious (burned chip, corroded circuit); other times it requires hours of methodical investigation.
Step 3: Diagnosis Report & Quote
After diagnostics, we provide detailed report including:
- Exact fault identified (e.g., “failed voltage regulator U7800”, “shorted capacitor C1234”, “corroded power delivery circuit”)
- Repair cost breakdown: labour time estimate + component costs
- Repair success probability (based on our assessment)
- Estimated completion time
- Alternative options if repair isn’t cost-effective
Pricing structure:
- Labour: £85/hour (typical repairs: 1.5-4 hours = £120-£340 labour)
- Components: £10-£50 depending on parts needed
- Typical total: £130-£390 for successful repair
We won’t proceed without your approval. If you decline repair, you pay only the £39 diagnostic fee.
Step 4: Repair & Testing
Once approved, we perform the repair:
- Ordering necessary replacement components (1-2 days delivery if not in stock)
- Micro-soldering work: removing failed components, cleaning pads, installing replacements
- Circuit repair: fixing broken traces, replacing damaged connectors, cleaning corrosion
- Post-repair testing: verifying power delivery, checking all voltages, confirming functionality
- Full system testing: booting laptop, testing USB ports, display, keyboard, trackpad, Wi-Fi, battery charging
- Stress testing: running laptop under load to ensure stability and proper thermal performance
Step 5: Collection & Warranty
After successful repair, your laptop is ready for collection. We provide:
- Explanation of what was repaired and why the failure occurred
- Advice on preventing future motherboard damage
- 3-month warranty on motherboard repair work (parts and labour)
- Post-repair support: if issues arise within 3 days, contact us for complimentary assistance
Common Motherboard Repair Scenarios
1. Liquid Damage (Post-Cleaning)
Laptop was spilled on, professionally cleaned, but still doesn’t work. Common faults: corroded circuits, shorted capacitors, failed power ICs. Repair success rate: 60-70% depending on extent of corrosion.
2. No Power After Power Surge
Laptop won’t turn on after power surge, storm, or faulty charger use. Common faults: blown fuses, failed voltage regulators, damaged charging ICs. Repair success rate: 80-85%.
3. Failed Previous Repair Attempt
Someone attempted repair (DIY or inexperienced technician) and caused additional damage. Common issues: lifted pads, broken traces, incorrect components installed, shorted circuits. Repair success rate: 50-60% (depends on extent of secondary damage).
4. Random Shutdowns / Instability
Laptop powers on but shuts down randomly, especially under load. Common faults: failing voltage regulators, poor solder joints (often from overheating), failed cooling system causing GPU/CPU protection shutdown. Repair success rate: 70-75%.
5. Component Failures
Specific functionality lost: USB ports all dead, no audio, display backlight failed, keyboard not working. Common faults: failed USB controller IC, shorted audio codec, failed backlight driver, keyboard connector damage. Repair success rate: 75-85%.
What We Need From You:
- Your laptop with the motherboard problem
- Charger (so we can test power delivery)
- Description of the problem: what happened, when it started, any incidents (spills, drops, surges)
- Exact laptop model and model number (bottom sticker or original box)
- Whether data recovery is a priority (affects our approach if storage is soldered/paired)
Supported Laptop Brands:
- Dell (XPS, Inspiron, Latitude, Precision, Alienware)
- HP (Pavilion, Envy, Spectre, EliteBook, ProBook, Omen)
- Lenovo (ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion)
- Asus (ZenBook, VivoBook, ROG, TUF Gaming)
- Acer (Aspire, Swift, Predator, Nitro)
- Apple MacBook (Air, Pro – limited repairability on newer models)
- MSI (Gaming laptops, Creator series)
- Razer (Blade series)
- Microsoft Surface (limited repairability)
- Toshiba, Samsung, LG, and other brands
Success Rate & Guarantee:
We have approximately 80% success rate in repairing laptop motherboards across all failure types. Success varies by damage type:
- Power delivery failures: 80-85% success
- Liquid damage (post-cleaning): 60-70% success
- Component failures (USB, audio, etc.): 75-85% success
- Failed previous repairs: 50-60% success
- Random shutdown issues: 70-75% success
Payment terms: You only pay the quoted repair price if we successfully fix your laptop. If repair fails or isn’t feasible, you pay only the £39 diagnostic fee. We don’t charge for unsuccessful repair attempts.
Booking Your Motherboard Repair: Select this service during checkout and choose drop-off at one of our London locations. For questions about your specific problem, call us on 020 8543 7088, email us, or use the chat on our website. We’ll discuss your laptop’s symptoms and confirm whether motherboard repair is likely the solution.
Common Questions:
Q: How do you know if my laptop needs motherboard repair vs. a simpler fix?
A: During initial diagnostics, we test all modular components first (RAM, SSD, battery, charger). If the laptop still doesn’t work after confirming these components are fine, the problem is on the motherboard itself. We don’t assume motherboard failure until we’ve ruled out simpler causes – we don’t want to charge you for complex repair if a £30 RAM module would fix it.
Q: What’s the difference between motherboard replacement and motherboard repair?
A: Motherboard replacement means installing a completely new motherboard (costs £200-£600 for the part alone, plus labour). Motherboard repair means fixing the existing motherboard by replacing only the failed components (typically £130-£390 total). Repair is usually cheaper but requires component-level expertise and isn’t always possible.
Q: How long does motherboard repair take?
A: Diagnostics take 1-5 working days (we need time to systematically test components). If repairable, the actual repair takes 1-3 additional days depending on parts availability. Total turnaround is typically 3-7 working days. We’ll provide a more specific timeline once we’ve diagnosed the fault.
Q: What if you can’t repair my motherboard?
A: If repair isn’t possible or economically viable, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives (motherboard replacement cost, data recovery options, or laptop replacement). You pay only the £39 diagnostic fee – we don’t charge for unsuccessful repair attempts. The diagnostic fee is waived if you proceed with alternative services like data recovery.
Q: Can you recover my data if the motherboard can’t be repaired?
A: If your storage drive is a separate module (most older laptops), we can remove it and recover data regardless of motherboard condition. If storage is soldered to the motherboard or encrypted/paired with it (common in modern ultra-thin laptops, MacBooks), data recovery becomes extremely difficult if motherboard is unrepairable. We’ll assess this during diagnostics and advise on options.
Q: My laptop was liquid damaged. Can you repair the motherboard?
A: Possibly, but success depends on the extent of corrosion and which components were affected. If the laptop was professionally cleaned shortly after the spill, success rate is 60-70%. If liquid damage is old (months or years) with extensive corrosion, success rate drops to 30-40%. We need to inspect it under microscope to assess feasibility. Bring it to one of our London locations for evaluation.
Q: How much does motherboard repair cost?
A: Typical motherboard repairs cost £130-£390 total (labour + components). Simple repairs (single failed component, 1.5-2 hours work) cost around £130-£180. Complex repairs (multiple failed components, extensive circuit tracing, 3-4 hours work) cost £250-£390. We provide exact quote after diagnostics before proceeding with any repair work.
Q: Do you offer warranty on motherboard repairs?
A: Yes, we provide 3-month warranty on all successful motherboard repairs covering both the components we replaced and the labour. If the same fault recurs within 3 months (not new damage), we’ll repair it again at no charge. Warranty doesn’t cover new liquid spills, physical damage, or power surges after repair.
Q: What causes motherboard failures?
A: Common causes include: power surges (lightning, faulty chargers, electrical spikes), liquid damage (even small spills can corrode circuits over time), overheating (blocked vents causing components to fail from heat stress), physical damage (drops, impacts, pressure on laptop), manufacturing defects, age-related component degradation, and failed repair attempts by inexperienced technicians.
Q: Can you repair MacBook motherboards?
A: Yes, we repair MacBook motherboards (logic boards), but newer models (2018+) have limited repairability due to Apple’s design choices. Common MacBook repairs we handle: liquid damage cleanup, failed USB-C charging circuits, keyboard backlight failures, audio codec failures. However, some issues (failed T2 chip, CPU/GPU failures) are unrepairable. We’ll assess during diagnostics at our London locations.
Q: My laptop powers on but won’t boot / no display. Is this motherboard issue?
A: Possibly, but not always. No display can be caused by: failed display cable (£40-£80 fix), failed display panel (£80-£200 fix), failed RAM (£30-£100 fix), or motherboard GPU/display circuit failure (motherboard repair needed). We diagnose systematically to identify the actual cause before recommending motherboard repair.
Q: Someone else attempted repair and made it worse. Can you fix it?
A: We can often repair damage caused by failed repair attempts, but success rate is lower (50-60%) because secondary damage (lifted pads, broken traces, incorrect components) complicates the original fault. We’ll inspect under microscope, assess the damage, and provide honest assessment of whether repair is feasible. Bring it to one of our London locations for evaluation.
Q: Is motherboard repair worth it vs. buying a new laptop?
A: It depends on your laptop’s value and the repair cost. If you have a £800+ laptop and motherboard repair costs £200-£300, repair makes sense. If you have a £400 budget laptop and repair costs £250, replacement might be better value. We’ll provide repair quote and help you make an informed decision. For data recovery situations or rare/expensive laptops, repair is almost always worth attempting.
Q: Can you repair GPU/CPU chip problems? What is BGA reballing?
A: Yes, we offer BGA (Ball Grid Array) chip reballing for CPU and GPU separation issues – common in gaming laptops where heat stress causes the processor or graphics chip to partially detach from the motherboard. This is extremely specialized work involving removing the chip, cleaning old solder, applying new solder balls, and precisely re-attaching the chip. The challenge is that many manufacturers use black underfill adhesive making the repair very time-consuming (6-10 hours). Pricing is typically £300-£500 depending on complexity. We’ve successfully repaired numerous gaming laptop motherboards with GPU/CPU separation issues. Success rate: 75-80% for GPU, 70-75% for CPU. This repair makes sense for high-end gaming laptops (£1,200+ value) where motherboard replacement costs £400-£800. Bring your gaming laptop to one of our London locations for assessment.