Lenovo ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga and Legion laptops can be tested with the Lenovo Vantage app in Windows or with the standalone Lenovo Diagnostics tool, which also runs from a USB drive when Windows won’t start.
Hardware scan in Lenovo Vantage
- Open Lenovo Vantage (or Commercial Vantage on business ThinkPads). Install it from the Microsoft Store if it’s missing.
- Open Device › Hardware scan (or Support › Hardware scan, depending on the version).
- Run the Quick scan, or a custom scan for the memory, storage, battery or display.
Lenovo Diagnostics tool
- Download Lenovo Diagnostics from pcsupport.lenovo.com.
- Run it in Windows, or create a bootable USB drive to test a laptop that won’t start.
- Failures show a final code; give it to Lenovo Support with the serial number.
Check battery health
Lenovo Vantage › Device › Power shows battery health and charge cycles. On any Windows laptop you can also run powercfg /batteryreport.
Check model and warranty
The serial number and machine type are on the bottom label. Enter the serial at pcsupport.lenovo.com to see the configuration and warranty.
Buying a used ThinkPad or IdeaPad
- Enter the serial number (on the bottom label or in Lenovo Vantage) on Lenovo’s support site to see the model, original specs and remaining warranty.
- Ask whether a BIOS supervisor password is set: on business ThinkPads it can’t easily be removed, and a locked BIOS blocks resets.
- Ex-business ThinkPads may be enrolled in a company’s device management. After a reset, a “managed by your organization” screen means it isn’t free to use.
- Press every key with the keyboard test, including the TrackPoint buttons, and check the screen with the dead pixel test.
- Run the battery report: ThinkPads used daily for years often have under 70% of their design capacity.
Test the parts built-in tools miss
Manufacturer diagnostics check that hardware is connected, but they rarely test everything you use. The MxMob laptop test runs in the browser and checks each key on the keyboard, the trackpad, the webcam, speakers, microphone, real Wi-Fi speed, USB ports and overheating, then gives you a shareable report. Buying used? Follow the used laptop checklist.
Diagnostic guides for other brands
Frequently asked questions
Does Lenovo Vantage test the keyboard?
It checks the hardware connection, not each key. Use mxmob.com/keyboard-test to press every key and catch keys that don’t work or type twice.
How do I check a used ThinkPad before buying?
Run a hardware scan, check battery health and cycles in Lenovo Vantage, make sure there’s no supervisor (BIOS) password, check the serial on Lenovo’s warranty page, and run the MxMob laptop test.