Computer Won’t Turn On? Here’s What to Check First

You press the power button… and nothing happens. No lights. No sound. No screen. Before you assume the worst, take a breath.

We’ve worked on a lot of systems that looked “dead” at first glance but turned out to have simple fixes — loose cables, bad batteries, or power issues. Even when the problem goes deeper, knowing what to check can save you time and stress.

Here’s a practical guide to help you figure out what’s going on, what’s fixable at home, and when it’s time to bring it in.

Start with the Basics

Check the Power

This is where we start every time — especially with desktops.

For desktops:

  • Make sure the power cable is firmly plugged into both the PC and the wall

  • Test the wall outlet with another device (like a phone charger)

  • Try a different power cable or surge protector

  • Look for any signs of life — fans spinning, lights blinking, anything

For laptops:

  • Try turning it on without the battery (if it’s removable)

  • Plug in the charger and check for indicator lights

  • If the charging light doesn’t come on, try a different charger if you can

Battery and Charging Issues (Laptops)

Laptops that don’t turn on while plugged in might have a dead battery, a bad charger, or a loose power jack.

Try This:

  • Remove the battery (if possible) and try powering it with just the charger

  • Hold down the power button for 10–15 seconds, then try again

  • If it powers on without the battery, that battery may need replacing

It’s On, But the Screen Is Black

Sometimes the computer is running — fans are spinning, lights are on — but nothing shows up on the screen.

Try This:

  • Double-check that the monitor is turned on and properly connected

  • Try another monitor or HDMI/VGA cable

  • On a laptop, try connecting to an external display — if that works, your built-in screen may be the problem

Go Deeper (If You’re Comfortable)

🔩 Check for Loose Parts

We’ve seen systems that wouldn’t turn on because a stick of RAM popped out just slightly — especially after being moved.

On desktops:

  • Open the case (with it unplugged) and check:

    • RAM is fully clicked in

    • All cables are seated properly

    • No obvious signs of damage or scorching

On laptops:

  • If you’re comfortable opening it up, check battery connectors and hard drive cables

BIOS or UEFI Reset (Desktops)

Sometimes a misconfigured setting or power surge can cause a motherboard to lock up.

To reset:

  • Power off and unplug

  • Remove the coin-sized CMOS battery for a few minutes, then reinsert

  • Try powering on again

Software Failures: It Turns On, But Won’t Boot

If you see the logo but it never gets to the desktop, or it gets stuck on a black screen, your operating system may be the issue.

Try This:

On Windows:

  • Try booting into Safe Mode (press Shift + F8 during startup)

  • Use recovery tools to run a repair or restore point

On macOS:

  • Hold Command + R during startup to access Recovery Mode

  • Use Disk Utility to check the drive

When It’s Probably Hardware

If none of the above works, here are signs the problem may be deeper:

  • No response at all, even after testing the power supply

  • Beeping or clicking sounds at startup

  • Burning smell or melted plastic near ports or the power supply

  • Laptop only works when the charger is jiggled just right (common sign of a damaged power jack)

What We Can Do (If You’re Nearby)

We’ve seen just about every kind of startup failure — and we’re happy to help figure it out, no pressure.

Here’s how we can help:

  • Run a complete diagnostic (hardware, software, power)

  • Test or replace power supplies and batteries

  • Reconnect or reseat components properly

  • Repair or reinstall operating systems

  • Help you decide: fix it, upgrade it, or start fresh

Just because your computer won’t power on doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. Many of these issues are simple — and even the complex ones often have a fix.

We’re here to help you find out what’s worth fixing and what’s not, with plain answers and no hard sell.

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