Where Is The Serial Number Of A Lenovo Laptop? | Quick Find Guide

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On Lenovo laptops, the serial number (S/N) is on the underside label, and you can also read it in BIOS, Lenovo Vantage, or with a Windows command.

Lost in menus or staring at labels? This guide shows every reliable place to view the S/N on a Lenovo notebook. You’ll see where it’s printed on the hardware, how to pull it from Windows in seconds, and what to do if the sticker is worn or the system won’t boot. Each method is simple, with no filler—pick the route that suits your situation and you’re done.

Serial Number Basics You Should Know

The S/N is a unique ID for your device. Lenovo uses it for warranty checks, parts, and support lookups. On most models, it appears near “S/N” or “Serial” on a printed label. In Windows, the same value displays in tools like Lenovo Vantage and through a quick command. The S/N is not the same as the model or machine type, and it won’t reveal personal data—it just identifies the unit.

Serial Number Spots On Lenovo Notebooks: Quick Map

Different Lenovo lines place the physical label in slightly different spots. Start with the bottom cover. If you don’t see it, check these areas:

  • Underside Label: Flip the laptop over. Look for a small black or silver sticker or laser-etched text near a vent or corner that includes “S/N.”
  • Edge Or Hinge Area: Some 2-in-1 designs print the S/N near the hinge line or on a side edge for easy reading while docked.
  • Battery Bay (older models): If your system has a removable battery, the S/N often sits under the pack.
  • Shipping Box: The retail box repeats the S/N on a white label alongside the model and machine type. Handy when the device is off.

If the label is missing or scratched, jump to software options below. They work even when the sticker can’t be read.

Fast Methods Inside Windows

If the laptop boots, Windows offers two instant ways to read the S/N. Both are safe and read-only.

Method 1: One Command In A Terminal

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run this line. The serial will print on the next line:

wmic bios get serialnumber

On newer builds where wmic isn’t present, use PowerShell:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object -ExpandProperty SerialNumber

This pulls the value from firmware, so it matches what Lenovo support expects.

Method 2: Lenovo Vantage App

Lenovo Vantage shows the S/N on the device page along with model and BIOS details. After opening Vantage, choose Device → Device Details. You’ll see “Serial number” near the top. If you don’t have it, Vantage is free from the Microsoft Store.

When Windows Won’t Boot: Read It In BIOS

No OS? No problem. The firmware setup lists the S/N. Power on and press the setup key as soon as the logo appears. On many ThinkPad units it’s F1; on IdeaPad models it’s often F2 or the small Novo button. In BIOS, look on the first info screen for “Serial Number.”

This route is reliable on a wiped drive or after a crash since it doesn’t depend on Windows.

Model-Specific Pointers That Save Time

ThinkPad

Check the bottom cover near a long vent or toward a rear corner. Many business lines also print a subtle laser-etch with “S/N” if the sticker peels off. Press F1 for BIOS if you can’t find the label.

Yoga And Other 2-In-1 Designs

Rotate the device and scan the hinge edge and side rails. Convertible frames sometimes shift the label so it stays readable in stand or tent mode. If you still can’t spot it, Vantage or BIOS will confirm it instantly.

Legion And Gaming Builds

Look near the rear exhaust or under an angled lip. Bottom plates on gaming systems may use dark etching that’s easy to miss; a phone flashlight helps.

Use Official Tools For Certainty

Lenovo’s documentation outlines all the supported ways to surface the S/N, including labels, Lenovo Vantage, BIOS setup, and a simple Windows command. If you want a reference checklist straight from the source, see Lenovo’s guide to how to find serial numbers on PCs. It also links to quick videos that mirror the steps here.

If you prefer a step-by-step for the command-line method, Lenovo’s short note on reading the serial with Command Prompt shows exactly what the output looks like and when to use it.

Step-By-Step: Pick Your Scenario And Grab The S/N

Scenario A: You Have The Laptop In Hand And It Boots

  1. Open Start, type “cmd,” press Enter.
  2. Paste this and press Enter: 
    wmic bios get serialnumber
  3. Copy the value shown under “SerialNumber.”

No wmic? Use PowerShell:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object -ExpandProperty SerialNumber

Want a GUI route? Launch Lenovo Vantage, pick Device, then Device Details to read the same value.

Scenario B: The Laptop Is Off Or Won’t Start

  1. Turn the device over and check for the S/N label near a vent, corner, or hinge line.
  2. If no label, power on and tap the BIOS key (F1 on many ThinkPads; F2 or the Novo button on many IdeaPads).
  3. On the BIOS info screen, read “Serial Number.”
  4. If the system is physically unavailable, read the S/N from the shipping box label.

Scenario C: Sticker Is Scuffed Or Missing

Use any of the software approaches: Vantage, the Windows command, or BIOS. These pull from firmware and don’t rely on a sticker. If the motherboard was replaced, the firmware still holds the updated value that Lenovo support uses.

How The Serial Number Appears On Paper And Screens

You’ll usually see “S/N” or the word “Serial” followed by a mix of letters and numbers. Fonts on the underside label can be small and monochrome. If the output looks blank in a terminal, make sure you ran the command with normal privileges; admin rights aren’t required for this read-only query.

Make Sure You’re Reading The Right Identifier

  • Model / Machine Type: This describes the family and build, not the individual unit.
  • Service Tag Or Asset Tag: Some IT teams add their own labels. Those aren’t the Lenovo S/N.
  • IMEI Or MAC Address: Network or cellular IDs—useful for networking, not for Lenovo service.

The Lenovo S/N is the value support pages ask for when you check warranty or download parts lists.

Common Roadblocks And Easy Fixes

Terminal Shows A Blank Line

Try the PowerShell line with Get-CimInstance. If the device is a custom build or the vendor didn’t program the field, BIOS info will still display the correct value on Lenovo systems, and Vantage will report it once the device details load.

Sticker Text Is Faded

Shine a phone light across the surface at a shallow angle. Many labels use low-contrast ink or etching. If it’s still unreadable, switch to BIOS or the Windows methods.

Multiple Numbers On The Label

Look for the literal “S/N” prefix. Ignore long bar-code strings unless “S/N” sits next to them.

Privacy And Safety Notes

Sharing the S/N with support doesn’t expose your files or account details. It helps Lenovo identify your exact unit for parts and warranty. Don’t post it publicly in forums or listings since it ties to service history.

Keep The S/N Handy For Future Tasks

Drop the value into a note or password manager. If you manage multiple Lenovo notebooks, name the note after the user or room so you can filter quickly. When a warranty check or part order comes up, you’ll have the key detail ready.

Troubleshooting Script: Copy, Paste, Done

Need to email your S/N to IT or save it to a text file? This PowerShell snippet prints the number and writes it to your desktop:

$sn = (Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS).SerialNumber
"SerialNumber: $sn"
Set-Content -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\Lenovo_Serial.txt" -Value $sn

Run it in PowerShell. You’ll see the value on screen and get a simple text file for your records.

Quick Reference Table

The table below compresses the best methods and when to use them. Pick the line that matches your situation.

Method Where You’ll See It Best When
Underside Label Bottom cover near vents or corners Device is in hand and the sticker is readable
Windows Command Terminal output (wmic or PowerShell) Fast copy/paste while the OS is running
Lenovo Vantage Device → Device Details You like a GUI and extra device info
BIOS Setup Info page in firmware Windows won’t start or drive is wiped
Box Label White retail shipping label Laptop is remote or powered off

Why These Methods Match Lenovo’s Playbook

Everything listed here mirrors Lenovo’s own guidance—use the printed S/N on the chassis, read it in BIOS, or retrieve it from Windows by command or Lenovo Vantage. If you want a canonical reference, Lenovo’s official page on how to find serial numbers covers the same routes step by step. A shorter Lenovo note for the command method is here: serial via Command Prompt.

Wrap-Up: Pick One Path And Grab It

If you can open a terminal, the command route is the fastest. If you prefer clicks, Vantage shows it in a couple of taps. No boot? BIOS has you covered. And when all else fails, the box label or an underside etch will do. With the S/N in hand, you can check warranty, order parts, or open a support case in seconds.