Question Laptop got dropped. Boots fine but stutters slightly ?

[thaguy123]

It wasn't a big drop and everything seems to be in working order (No corrupt data and it still boots swiftly) but now it keeps stuttering from time to time. It becomes pretty infuriating when watching videos or playing games since everything (Even the sound) stutters. I wouldn't say that the stuttering is completely unbearable, but it certainly is annoying.

There doesn't seem to be any changes when it comes to framerates but I've only tested it in one game (Project Zomboid). Everything will suddenly stutter for a split second from time to time even when I have 55-60 FPS.

My laptop specs:

Acer Aspire E-15 E5-575G-52DD

Windows 10
i5-7200U
Nvidia GeForce 940MX
2 x 4 GB 2133 Mhz RAM
1 x 120 GB SSD - Kingston RBUSNS8180DS3128GH

What could be causing this problem? Is it a loose heatsink or something? Could the processor have sustained a very minor damage?

 

[Ralston18]

Could be almost anything.

However, some connection or component may have been knocked a bit loose. End result being that there are little connection glitches that interrupt normal processing operations.

End result being stutters.

It is possible that Windows (correct ?) may be capturing some related error code, warning, or even an informational event that precedes or corresponds with the stuttering.

Look in Reliability History and Event Viewer. Either one or both may display any such errors.

Start with Reliability History. Much more user friendly and provides a time line format that can be very helpful

For example some error(s) that start appearing afterthe date of the drop may help identify what is now loose or broken in some manner.

Likely the laptop will need to be taken to a shop for repairs.

However, the more you know in advance the less likely you can be taken advantage of.....

And be sure to backup all important laptop data - as you should always be doing anyway.

Small problems can quickly lead to big problems so backup just in case the laptop simply and suddenly quits.

Which it could do.

 

[thaguy123]

Oh, yeah, it's Windows 10. I forgot to mention that. I edited the post and added that info.

Something strange has happened though. While I was looking through the Reliability History, I suddenly got the idea to check for any updates to Windows, and surprisingly, there was an update waiting.

And after the update, all the stuttering seemed to have suddenly disappeared. So, now I don't even know if the accidental drop did anything or if the stuttering was just a result of a software problem that coincidentally happened after I dropped it.

The Reliability History did show an error that occurred after the update:

But other than that, everything seems to be normal once again. The stuttering problem has been annoying me for a few days now yet it suddenly went away after an update.

I'll continue observing and see if the problem returns. I'll also keep monitoring the Reliability History and the Event Viewer for any other problems.

 

[Ralston18]

Interesting.

As an after thought it now occurs to me to wonder if the laptop was on or off when it was dropped.

Perhaps the update or the update process was interrupted in some manner.

Issue is now moot.

Continue watching and be sure about the backups. Backup and check them.

 

[thaguy123]

It was on when it was dropped and the stuttering began afterwards. Though, I wasn't in my room (Where the laptop was) when it happened, but the lid was closed so I'm pretty sure it didn't interrupt an update.

I'll be sure to make a backup just in case.

Thanks for the help!