Summary
Even though there are many other reasons why a computer could not come on, a total loss of power is not often the worst-case scenario. It’s possible that your personal computer isn’t getting power due of a serious problem, but it’s quite rare that this is the case.
Fix a Computer
The failure of a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer, such as a Surface Pro, to power on may be attributed to a number of different factors; thus, it is necessary for you to go through a comprehensive troubleshooting approach, such as the one that we have explained below.
Average level of difficulty
The time required might range anywhere from a few minutes to many hours, depending on the reason why the computer is not getting electricity.
What You Will Require: If you are working on a desktop computer, you should bring a screwdriver, and if you are fixing a tablet or laptop, you should bring your external AC adapter.
Please refer to our guide on how to fix a computer that turns on and then turns off if your personal computer only powers on for a short period of time.
Is There a Way to Fix a Computer That Does Not Show Any Signs of Power?
If you can believe it, the most common reason why a computer won’t come on is because you forgot to turn it on in the first place!
It is important to ensure that you have activated all of the power switches and buttons that are associated with your computer system before beginning a procedure that may be time-consuming and perhaps difficult to resolve.
The button or switch that controls power is often situated on the front of the casing of a desktop computer or on the top or side of a laptop or tablet.
On the back of the computer, which is often only seen on a desktop, there is a power switch.
Turn on the power strip, surge protector, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) if you are using any of these devices.
Check to see whether the connectors for the computer’s power cables are disconnected. One of the most common reasons why a computer will not switch on is because the power line is either loose or disconnected.
In spite of the fact that your computer is powered by a battery, you should still make sure that the AC adapter is properly plugged in, at least during the process of troubleshooting. Because of this, it is possible that your computer is not receiving power since you have been keeping it plugged in on a regular basis, but it has become loose and the battery is now completely depleted.
In the event that it has not already done so, connect your tablet, laptop, or desktop computer straight to the wall. Remove any power strips, battery backups, or other devices that distribute power between your personal computer and the wall socket. In other words, remove any power strips.
In the event that your computer begins to receive power after you have completed this step, the issue is caused by anything that you have eliminated from the equation. Most likely, you will need to replace your surge protector as well as any other devices that are used for power distribution. In the event that nothing improves, continue debugging with the computer hooked into the wall in order to make things as simple as possible.
A “lamp test” should be carried out in order to confirm that electricity is being supplied from the wall. In the event that your computer is not receiving power, it will not switch on; thus, it is necessary for you to verify that the power supply is functioning well.
Using a multimeter to test an outlet is not something that we advocate doing. There are occasions when a tripped breaker might leak just enough power to indicate the correct voltage on the meter, leaving you with the idea that your electricity is functioning properly. A more prudent course of action would be to place a genuine “load” on the outlet, such as a light.
Make sure that the voltage switch for the power supply is adjusted appropriately if you are working on a desktop computer. In the event that the input voltage for the power supply unit (PSU) does not correspond to the appropriate setting for your country, it is possible that your computer may not charge at all.
To test the effectiveness of utilizing solely AC power, remove the primary battery from the laptop or tablet. It is alright to use your portable computer without the battery inserted; in fact, it is absolutely acceptable to do so.
In the event that you are able to switch on your computer after doing this, it indicates that the issue lies with your battery, and you should get it replaced. You are allowed to use your computer as long as you are in close proximity to a power outlet while you wait for it to be removed and replaced.
Examine the power receptacle on the laptop or tablet with great care to look for any signs of damage. It is important to check for any pins that are damaged or twisted, as well as any debris that may be blocking the computer from receiving power and charging the battery’s charge.
Even if you are able to straighten a bent pin or remove some dirt, it is quite likely that you will need to seek the assistance of a professional computer repair service in order to rectify any significant issues that you see in this environment. If you are going to work on this yourself, you should be sure to remove the internal battery from the laptop in order to eliminate the possibility of receiving a shock.
Alter the power cord or AC adapter that is connected to the computer. When a desktop computer is used, this is the power connection that connects the computer casing to the power supply. The cable that you put into the wall to charge your battery is known as the AC adapter for a tablet or laptop. This cable often has a little light on it.
The inability of tablets and laptops to switch on at all is sometimes attributed to a malfunctioning AC adapter. It does not matter if you do not make frequent use of the power cord; if it has failed, it indicates that it has not been charging your battery consistently.
Even though a faulty power cord is not the most frequent reason for a computer to not receive power, it is possible for it to occur, and it is extremely simple to verify. You have the option of using the one that is powering your display (on the condition that it seems to be receiving power), a new one, or one that is connected to another computer.
It is highly recommended that you replace the CMOS battery, particularly if your computer is more than a few years old, has been switched off for an extended period of time, or has lost its primary battery. Whether you want to believe it or not, a CMOS battery that is not functioning properly is a rather typical reason why a computer seems to be without power.
You can get a brand new CMOS battery for a price that is far less than ten dollars, and you can find one in almost any store that sells batteries.
When using a desktop computer, check to see if the power switch is properly connected to the motherboard. Even if it is not a very frequent point of failure, it is possible that your personal computer is not turning on because the power button is not linked to the motherboard in the proper manner.
The majority of case switches are linked to the motherboard by means of a pair of wires that are twisted in a red and black pattern. In the event that these cables are not linked in a safe manner or are not connected at all, this is most likely the reason why your computer is having trouble powering on. Although it is practically impossible to reach, a similar connection between the button and the motherboard is often found in portable electronic devices such as laptops and tablets.
If you are using a desktop computer, you should check the power supply. At this stage in the process of troubleshooting, it is quite probable that the power supply unit in your computer is no longer functioning properly, and you should replace it. This is especially true for those of you who use desktop computers. On the other hand, you need to confirm it by testing it. Checking a piece of hardware is very simple; there is no need to think about replacing it if it is already functioning well.
When paired with the absence of electricity in the computer, the presence of an ozone odor or an extremely high-pitched noise is an almost guaranteed indicator that the power supply is malfunctioning. Your computer should be unplugged immediately, and you should skip the exam. In the event that your power supply fails your tests or if you encounter the symptoms that I have just mentioned, you should replace it. In order to give the CMOS battery time to recharge after the replacement, it is important to leave the computer plugged in for a period of five minutes before starting it up.
A malfunctioning power supply is the most common cause of a desktop computer not getting power. This is the situation in the majority of instances. The reason I bring this up once again is to emphasize that you should not miss this stage in the troubleshooting process. It is important to keep in mind that the following few reasons are not nearly as prevalent:.
Perform a test on the power button that is located on the front of the casing of your computer, and if it does not pass your tests, replace it. Only desktop PCs are required to complete this stage.
Depending on the architecture of the casing that your computer is housed in, you may be able to turn on your personal computer by pressing the reset button in the meantime.
There are certain motherboards that have very small power buttons incorporated into the boards themselves, which makes it much simpler to test the power button on the casing. On the off chance that your motherboard has this and is able to turn on your computer, the power button on the case will most likely need to be replaced.
If you are using a desktop computer, you need to replace the motherboard. If you are certain that your power button, power supply, and wall electricity are all functioning properly, then it is quite probable that there is an issue with the motherboard of your personal computer, and you should replace it.
Changing out a motherboard is not a procedure that is often fast, simple, or affordable, despite the fact that it is absolutely possible for anybody who has some patience. Before you go on to changing your motherboard, you should make sure that you have tried all of the other troubleshooting tips that I have provided above.
You should use a Power On Self Test card to test your computer in order to determine whether or not the motherboard is the reason why your computer does not power on at all. This is something that we strongly suggest.
When it comes to a laptop or tablet, replacing the motherboard is generally the best course of action to take. On the other hand, the motherboards of these kinds of computers are very difficult for users to replace. You should look into hiring a professional computer service as the next best course of action for you to take.
It should be operating again at this point on your own computer.
Hints and Additional Information
Is this problem being investigated on a personal computer that you have recently constructed on your own? And if that’s the case, double-verify your setup! On the other hand, there is a good likelihood that the reason your computer is not turning on is not a malfunction in the hardware itself but rather a setup error.
Was there a phase in the troubleshooting process that you found helpful (or that you think could be helpful to someone else) in repairing a computer that is not displaying any signs of power? Please let me know, and I will gladly include the information into this sentence.
What may be causing my personal computer display to not turn on?
If you are unable to switch on your monitor, there are a few things that you should investigate. In addition to ensuring that the power is connected securely, check to see whether the display and the computer both have a power light. It’s possible that your computer is experiencing trouble returning from hibernation or standby/sleep mode with the same settings.
Why won’t the fans on my personal computer turn on?
In the event that your Central Processing Unit (CPU) fan does not turn on, the first step to take is to check whether or not your personal computer is displaying any faults. Examine the software as well as the hardware that has been damaged. If you do not see any visible signs of damage, you should investigate the drivers that control the fan or even the settings in the BIOS.
