Where Can I Find Laptop Service Tag? | Fast Steps Only

Guide / By

The laptop service tag sits on a bottom sticker, in BIOS/UEFI, on the box label, or via system commands in Windows or Linux.

Your device’s service tag (or serial number) unlocks driver downloads, warranty checks, and exact parts. The fastest spots to check are the underside label, your BIOS/UEFI screen, the retail box, or a quick command that prints the ID on screen. Below you’ll find no-nonsense steps that work across major brands and operating systems, plus a short table you can scan near the end.

What A Service Tag Does For You

That short code ties your exact build to the maker’s database. With it, you can:

  • See warranty start and end dates.
  • Grab the right BIOS, firmware, and drivers without guessing.
  • Order parts that match your model and revision.
  • Speed up support calls or chat by skipping basic questions.

Finding A Laptop Service Tag On Any Brand

Start with a quick visual check, then jump to a command or a settings screen if the label is worn or missing.

Quick Visual Checks

  • Bottom cover: Look for a small black-and-white sticker or laser etch. Many models place it near the rear edge or a corner.
  • Battery bay: If your model has a removable battery, pop it out; the code may sit inside the compartment.
  • Box label: If you still have the retail box, the tag or serial often appears beside the barcode.
  • Under a door: Some gaming and business machines hide it under a tiny service door or beside RAM/SSD slots.
  • Invoice or email: Many stores and makers print the serial on the receipt or order confirmation.

Windows: One Command Prints It

Use either Command Prompt or PowerShell. Both work on most brands since they read the system’s SMBIOS data.

Command Prompt

wmic bios get serialnumber

On a healthy system, this returns your device’s serial string on the next line. If it shows blank data on a few white-label machines, try the PowerShell method below or read it in BIOS/UEFI.

PowerShell

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

This pulls the same field using the modern CIM cmdlet. You can right-click the window title bar → Edit → Mark to copy the value cleanly.

Linux: Read It From SMBIOS

Most distros include the tool that can read serial data without opening the case.

sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

If the vendor exposes a chassis sticker ID instead, try:

sudo dmidecode -t system

BIOS/UEFI: Always Available

Even if your OS is broken, you can still read the tag in firmware.

  1. Turn the laptop off.
  2. Power on and press the setup key shown on screen (commonly F2, F10, Del, or Esc).
  3. Open the System Information or Main page. Look for Serial Number or Service Tag.

Brand-By-Brand Locations And Tips

Different makers use different names for the same concept. Here are the practical spots to check and the terms they use.

Dell And Alienware (Service Tag)

  • Name used: Service Tag (7 characters) and Express Service Code.
  • Where to look: Bottom cover label, BIOS/UEFI system info, retail box, SupportAssist app, or a Windows command.
  • Why it matters: Dell’s support portal uses this code to match drivers and parts precisely.

HP (Serial Number + Product Number)

  • Name used: Serial Number (S/N) and Product Number (P/N).
  • Where to look: Bottom case or rear edge label, inside battery bay on older models, BIOS/UEFI, or the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics tool.
  • Tip: The product number helps find spec sheets and options alongside the serial.

Lenovo (Serial + Machine Type-Model)

  • Name used: Serial Number (S/N) and Machine Type-Model (like 20XX-001A).
  • Where to look: Bottom label, BIOS/UEFI, Lenovo Vantage, or by running the Windows command noted earlier.
  • ThinkPad note: On some models the bottom label is small; BIOS is the cleanest view.

Acer (Serial + SNID)

  • Name used: Serial Number and SNID (a numeric code used on support pages).
  • Where to look: Bottom cover label near the hinge; also in BIOS or on the box.

ASUS (Serial)

  • Name used: Serial Number.
  • Where to look: Underside label, inside MyASUS app, BIOS/UEFI, or box label.

Microsoft Surface (Serial)

  • Name used: Serial Number.
  • Where to look: Kickstand well on Surface Pro, under keyboard on Surface Laptop, in Settings → System → About, or on the retail box.

Use The Code For Warranty, Drivers, And Parts

Once you have the tag or serial, head to the maker’s support page, paste the code, and you’ll land on the exact product page. That page usually offers BIOS, chipset and graphics drivers, warranty lookup, and manuals that match your build. If you need a replacement keyboard or battery, the code prevents you from ordering the wrong variant.

Where To Locate A Laptop Tag When The Label Is Gone

If your underside sticker is faded or missing, use these paths that don’t rely on labels.

From Windows When The System Boots

  1. Press Start, type cmd, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run the command shown earlier. If it returns blank, try the PowerShell CIM command.
  3. Copy the string exactly, including any letters.

From BIOS/UEFI When Windows Won’t Load

  1. Hold the power button to turn off the device.
  2. Power on, press the setup key, and open the system info page.
  3. Write down the serial or snap a clear photo.

From Linux Live Media

  1. Boot a live USB.
  2. Open a terminal.
  3. Run the SMBIOS command shown above to print the serial string.

Brand Terms You’ll See (And What They Mean)

Makers often mix label names. This quick guide keeps the lingo straight so you paste the right field into the right box on support sites.

  • Service Tag / Express Service Code (Dell): Both refer to the same device identity; the code routes you faster in support systems.
  • Serial Number (S/N): Universal term across brands; exact device ID.
  • Product Number (HP): Identifies the configuration family alongside the serial.
  • Machine Type-Model (Lenovo): Small code that pairs with the serial to target drivers and parts.
  • SNID (Acer): A numeric variant that some Acer tools prefer.

Privacy And Sticker Care

The code identifies your exact unit. Treat it like a license plate. Don’t post it publicly with photos. If the sticker scratches easily, clear tape over the label can stop wear. Keep a note of the string in a password manager or asset sheet so you’re not flipping the device every time support asks for it.

When The Code Still Won’t Show

A handful of motherboards don’t expose the serial properly to the OS, so a command may print blanks. In those cases:

  • Read it in BIOS/UEFI. Firmware screens usually show it even when the OS can’t.
  • Check the original order email or invoice PDF.
  • Scan the box barcode with a phone camera; many labels include the tag or serial under the code.
  • Contact the maker’s support and provide proof of purchase; they can look it up from purchase data.

Copy-Paste Commands You Can Use

These blocks are safe to run. They only read system information.

Windows (Administrator Not Required For Read-Only)

wmic bios get serialnumber
Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

Linux

sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

UEFI Only (No OS Needed)

Open firmware setup at boot and read the Serial Number or Service Tag line on the main info page.

Fast Brand Reference (Scan This)

The table below compresses the common locations and the term each maker uses. Use it when you’re in a hurry.

Brand Name On Label Typical Location
Dell / Alienware Service Tag / Express Service Code Bottom label, BIOS/UEFI, SupportAssist, box barcode
HP Serial Number (S/N), Product Number Bottom or rear edge label, battery bay, BIOS/UEFI
Lenovo Serial Number (S/N), Machine Type-Model Bottom label, BIOS/UEFI, Lenovo Vantage
Acer Serial Number, SNID Bottom near hinge, BIOS/UEFI, box barcode
ASUS Serial Number Underside label, MyASUS app, BIOS/UEFI
Microsoft Surface Serial Number Kickstand well or chassis, Settings → System → About

Use The Right Official Pages

If you’re on a Dell machine, their Service Tag locator walks through label spots and software paths. For HP, the serial number guide shows where S/N and P/N live on notebooks and in firmware.

Smart Tips That Save Time

  • Snap a photo: When you find the label, take a clear picture. It prevents transcription errors.
  • Store it once: Paste the string into your password manager as a secure note with the device name.
  • Print a tiny tag: Stick a small label inside your laptop sleeve with the code so you don’t flip the device during calls.
  • Check for look-alikes: Don’t confuse model name (like “15-dq2xxx”) with the serial; model names repeat across many units.

What If The Laptop Was Refurbished?

Refurbishers sometimes add their own sticker near the original one. Use the maker’s original serial for drivers and BIOS. The refurb label may help with the refurbisher’s warranty. If the underside shows two stickers, paste the code into the maker’s support page; the site will tell you which one it recognizes.

When You’re Helping Someone Remotely

Ask them to run the command that prints the serial on screen, then paste the output into chat. If they can’t get into Windows, have them enter firmware and read it from the main page. You’ll get to the right drivers page in minutes.