How to Find the Serial Number of Your Laptop (2024)

Serial numbers seem quite mundane. That is, until you realize you need the serial number of your laptop or smartphone when making warranty claims, getting support from the manufacturer, reporting a device theft, or pursuing theft recovery. Then, it becomes an enormous pain.

Thankfully, you can find a serial number by running a simple command, exploring system information, looking for physical labels, or checking other documents.

If your laptop is fully functional and you're not experiencing any login issues, the simplest method to find the serial number is from within your operating system.

Windows

You can easily fetch the serial number by running a command in Command Prompt. Here's how:

1. Type "Command Prompt" in Windows Search.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command:

   wmic bios get serialnumber 

4. Press Enter.

If the Command Prompt utility fails to show you the serial number, you can find it from System Information: Press Win+R, type "msinfo32," and press Enter. Then, navigate to the System Summary tab, where you'll find the serial number displayed among the information.

macOS

You can find the serial number of your Mac by running a simple command in Terminal. Just follow these steps:

1. Press Command+Space to open Spotlight search.
2. Type "Terminal" and press Enter.
3. Type the following command in Terminal:

   system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Serial Number" 

4. Press Enter.

Alternatively, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner and click About This Mac. macOS will show you your device's serial number, among other system information.

Similarly, if you use a Linux operating system, you can easily find the serial number of your Linux device.

Check the Serial Number on the Physical Label

If your laptop has a hardware issue and you need support from the manufacturer, you can find the serial number by looking at the physical labels.

On most laptops, the serial number is printed on a label on the underside of the device. Flip your laptop over and look for a label. If you find one, the serial number will be printed there.

If you don't see a label on the underside, check if your laptop has a removable battery. If it does, remove the battery, and you'll likely find the serial number printed inside the battery compartment.

Find the Serial Number of a Stolen Device

If your device has been stolen and you cannot use any of the methods above, you can still find the serial number of your stolen device.

If you remember the model number of your laptop, you can visit the manufacturer's website, input the model number, and the associated serial number will be displayed. However, note that not all manufacturers offer this option.

Otherwise, find the invoice or purchase receipt from the retailer where you bought the laptop. Typically, it contains the serial number. If you don't have the invoice or receipt, see if you can find the original packaging in which your laptop was shipped. The box often has a serial number printed on the label.

If you registered your laptop with the manufacturer, log into your account, where you may find the serial number. Finally, if you have warranty or service plan documentation, you may find a serial number there.

Whether your device is in your possession or has been stolen, you should ideally be able to find your laptop's serial number using one of the methods outlined above. If you're checking the serial number without a specific purpose, record it somewhere for future reference, in case you need it for warranty coverage, technical support, or any other reason.