Among the many ways that a computer won't turn on, a complete loss of power is rarely the

worst-case scenario. There is the chance that your PC isn't receiving power because of a severe
issue, but it's unlikely.

There are several possible reasons why a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer such as a Surface
Pro fails to power on, so you must step through a complete troubleshooting procedure like the
one we've outlined below.

 Difficulty: Average
 Time Required: Anywhere from minutes to hours depending on why the computer isn't
receiving power
 What You'll Need: Your AC adapter if you're troubleshooting a tablet or laptop, and
possibly a screwdriver if you're working on a desktop

How to Fix a Computer That Shows No Sign of Power

1. Believe it or not, the number one reason why a computer won't turn on is that you didn't
turn it on!
 Getty Images

Before starting a sometimes time-consuming troubleshooting process, make sure you've

turned on every power switch and power button involved in your computer system:

o Power button/switch, usually located on the front of a desktop computer's case or

the top or side of a laptop or tablet
o Power switch on the back of the computer, usually just on a desktop
o Power switch on the power strip, surge protector, or UPS, if you're using any of
them
2. Check for disconnected computer power cable connections. A loose or unplugged power
cable is one of the top reasons a computer won't turn on.

Even though your computer runs on a battery, you should ensure that the AC adapter is
plugged in correctly, at least during troubleshooting. If you regularly keep it plugged in,
but it has wiggled loose, and now the battery is empty, your computer may not be getting
power for this reason.

3. Plug your tablet, laptop, or desktop directly into the wall if it's not already. In other
words, remove any power strips, battery backups, or other power distribution devices
between your PC and the wall outlet.

If your computer starts getting power after doing this, something that you removed from
the equation is the cause of the problem. You'll likely need to replace your surge
protector or other power distribution devices. If nothing improves, continue
troubleshooting with the computer plugged into the wall to keep things simple.

The 7 Best Surge Protectors of 2022

4. Perform a "lamp test" to verify power is being provided from the wall. Your computer
won't turn on if it's not getting power, so you need to confirm that the power source is
working correctly.

We don't recommend testing an outlet with a multimeter. Sometimes a tripped breaker

can leak just enough power to show proper voltage on the meter, leaving you with the
assumption that your power is working. Putting a real "load" on the outlet, like a lamp, is
a better option.

5. Verify that the power supply voltage switch is correctly set if you're on a desktop. If the
input voltage for the power supply unit (PSU) does not match the correct setting for your
country, your computer may not power on at all.
6. Remove the main battery in the laptop or tablet and try using AC power only. Yes, it's
perfectly fine to run your portable computer without the battery installed.
 If your computer turns on after trying this, it means that your battery is the cause of the
problem and you should replace it. Until you get it replaced, feel free to use your
computer, so long as you're close to a power outlet!

7. Carefully inspect the power receptacle on the laptop or tablet for damage. Check for
broken/bent pins and bits of debris that might be preventing the computer from getting
power and charging the battery.

Aside from straightening a bent pin or cleaning out some dirt, you'll probably need to
seek the services of a professional computer repair service to correct any major problems
you see here. Be sure to remove the laptop's internal battery to avoid the risk of shock if
you work on this yourself.

8. Replace the computer's power cable or AC adapter. On a desktop, this is the power cable
that runs between the computer case and the power source. The AC adapter for a tablet or
laptop is the cable that you plug into the wall to charge your battery (it usually has a tiny
light on it).
 Getty Images

A bad AC adapter is a common reason why tablets and laptops won't turn on at all. Even
if you don't regularly use the power cable, if it has failed, it means that it hasn't been
charging your battery.

A bad power cable is not a common cause of a computer not receiving power, but it does
happen and is very easy to test. You can use the one that's powering your monitor (as
long as it seems to be getting power), one from another computer, or a new one.

9. Replace the CMOS battery, especially if your computer is more than a few years old or
has spent a lot of time turned off or with the main battery removed. Believe it or not, a
bad CMOS battery is a relatively common cause of a computer that looks like it's not
receiving power.

A new CMOS battery will cost you well under $10, and you can pick one up just about
anywhere that sells batteries.

10. Confirm that the power switch is connected to the motherboard if using a desktop. It's not
a very common point of failure, but your PC might not be turning on because the power
button isn't correctly connected to the motherboard.

Most case switches are connected to the motherboard via a red and black twisted pair of
wires. If these wires aren't securely connected or aren't connected at all, this is probably
the cause of your computer not turning on. A laptop or tablet often has a similar
connection between the button and the motherboard, but it's nearly impossible to access.

11. Test your power supply if you're using a desktop PC. At this point in your
troubleshooting, at least for you desktop folks, it's very likely that the power supply unit
in your computer is no longer working, and you should replace it. You should, however,
test it to be sure. There's no reason to replace a working piece of hardware when testing it
is pretty straightforward.

An ozone smell or very high-pitched noise, combined with no power in the computer, is
an almost certain indication that the power supply is bad. Unplug your computer
immediately and skip the testing. Replace your power supply if it fails your testing, or
you experience the symptoms I just described. After replacement, keep the computer
plugged in for 5 minutes before starting, so the CMOS battery has time to recharge.

In most cases, when a desktop computer isn't receiving power, a non-working power
supply is to blame. I bring this up again to help stress that you should not skip this
troubleshooting step. The following few causes to consider aren't nearly as common.

12. Test the power button on the front of your computer's case and replace it if it fails your
testing. This step goes for desktop computers only.
 Depending on your computer's case's design, you may be able to use the reset button in
the meantime to power on your PC.

Some motherboards have tiny power buttons built into the boards themselves, providing
an easier way to test the case's power button. If your motherboard has this and works to
power on your computer, the case power button probably needs to be replaced.

13. Replace your motherboard if you're using a desktop. If you're confident that your wall
power, power supply, and power button are working, there is likely a problem with your
PC's motherboard, and you should replace it.

The 10 Best Gaming Motherboards

While perfectly doable by anyone with some patience, replacing a motherboard is rarely a
quick, easy, or inexpensive task. Be sure you've exhausted all of the other
troubleshooting advice I've given above before replacing your motherboard.

We highly recommend that you test your computer with a Power On Self Test card to
confirm that the motherboard is the cause of your computer not turning on at all.

Replacing the motherboard is probably the right course of action with a laptop or tablet as
well. Still, motherboards in these types of computers are very rarely user-replaceable.
The next best course of action for you is to seek a professional computer service.

14. At this point, your PC should be working again.

Tips & More Information

 Are you troubleshooting this issue on a PC that you've just built yourself? If so, triple-
check your configuration! There is a decent chance that your computer isn't powering on
due to a misconfiguration and not an actual hardware failure.
 Did we miss a troubleshooting step that helped you (or might help someone else) fix a
computer that's not showing any sign of power? Let me know, and I'd be happy to include
the information here.

FAQ

 Why won't my PC monitor turn on?

If your monitor doesn't turn on, you should look at a few things. Check if there is a power
light on the monitor and PC and that the power is connected securely. Your computer
may be having problems resuming from Hibernation or Standby/Sleep mode.

 Why won't my PC fans turn on?

 If your Central Processing Unit (CPU) fan won't turn on, the first thing to look at is if
your PC is reporting any errors. Look at both hardware damage and software issues. If
you don't see any physical damage, look at the drivers controlling the fan or even BIOS
settings.

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Why does my laptop not turn on?

Updated: 04/12/2021 by Computer Hope
If your laptop does not turn on, or does not boot when powered on, there are things you can try
and resolve the issue.

Below are troubleshooting steps to help identify what may be preventing your laptop from
turning on. We recommend going through each of them for the best results.

Note

These steps are specific to laptop computers. For a desktop computer, see: Why won't my
computer turn on?

Note

Before following these troubleshooting steps, disconnect any peripherals connected to your
laptop, such as a mouse or a USB thumb drive.

Connect the power cable

Although it may seem obvious, if your laptop is running on battery power only, connecting the
AC adapter may solve the problem. Ensure the adapter cord is correctly plugged in on both ends
securely. If the laptop works with the adapter plugged in, your battery is dead or defective.

Check AC adapter and power port for a bent pin

Some AC adapters have a pin in the end of the adapter that plugs into the laptop. Examine the
adapter's connector that plugs into the laptop and check if there is a bent or broken pin. If there
is, the laptop is not receiving any power from the AC adapter. To fix the problem, the AC
adapter needs to be replaced.

Some laptops have a pin inside the power port that helps make a solid connection to the AC
adapter. If the pin is bent or broken, the laptop is not receiving any power. To fix the problem,
the power port on the laptop needs to be repaired or replaced. However, depending on the type of
laptop, this solution may demand a full motherboard replacement.

Disconnect from the docking station

If your laptop uses a docking station, disconnect it and try connecting the power cord directly to
the laptop. Then, try turning on the laptop.

Remove and reconnect the battery

Note

Many new laptops (especially MacBooks) are utilizing an architecture that does not allow their
batteries to be removed. If your laptop does not have a removable battery, skip to the next
section.

The laptop can also be in a power state that prevents it from booting. Disconnect the power cable
and then remove the battery from the laptop. Leave both disconnected from the laptop for at least
a minute. Then, put the battery back in the laptop, connect the power cable, and try turning on
the laptop.

 How do I remove the battery from my laptop computer?

Drain the computer of electricity

Sometimes, a residual electrical charge can keep your laptop from turning on. You can think of it
as an "electricity clog." By performing the following steps, you effectively drain your laptop of
any electricity and start over, which often results in it powering up.

1. Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery (if possible).

2. Hold down the power button for thirty seconds to drain any residual power from the laptop.
3. Without replacing the battery, plug the AC adapter back into the laptop.

Note

If your laptop's battery is not removable, still plug in the AC adapter.

4. Press the power button to turn on your laptop and verify that it boots correctly.
5. If the laptop powers on, shut down the laptop normally.
6. If you were able to remove the laptop battery, put the battery back in the laptop.
7. Power on the laptop again, and verify that it boots correctly.

Note

If this process does not work for you, repeat and hold the power button for one minute or longer
at step two.

Bad hardware
After going through the suggested troubleshooting steps above, if your laptop still does not turn
on, the problem is likely a hardware failure. The most likely component to be at fault is the
motherboard or processor. Unfortunately, more in-depth troubleshooting is required to determine
the cause for the laptop not working. If faulty hardware is the culprit, repair or replacement is
necessary.
  How to test for hardware failures in a computer.

We suggest contacting the manufacturer of the laptop for recommendations on how to get it
repaired. You can also take your laptop to a computer repair shop, as they can diagnose the issue
and replace the faulty hardware.

Related information
 Why does my Laptop AC adapter not work?
 See the boot and power up definition for further information and related links.
 Laptop help and support.

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