My Computer Won't Turn On. Now What?

The quick answer: Start with the power outlet, cable and charger. If you hear a fan or see indicator lights, your computer may actually be turning on—the problem could be the screen instead.

First, what does “won’t turn on” mean?

These three situations look similar when you're staring at an uncooperative computer, but they call for different fixes:

• Absolutely nothing: No lights, no fan, no sound. Start with the power checks below.
• Lights or fans, but a black screen: The computer is receiving at least some power. Check the display section further down.
• A logo or error message appears: The machine turned on. You're dealing with a startup or Windows problem, not a completely dead computer.

Stop immediately if you notice a burning smell, smoke, sparking, a damaged or hot power cable, signs of liquid damage, or a swollen laptop battery. Disconnect power only if it's safe to do so. Don't keep testing a potentially damaged device.

1. Check the boring stuff first

It's not glamorous, but a loose plug is much cheaper to fix than a motherboard.

1. Check the wall outlet. Plug in a working lamp or another simple device to see whether the outlet has power. Don't touch damaged wiring or attempt to repair an outlet yourself.
2. Check the surge protector or power strip. Is it switched on? If it may have failed, try a known-working wall outlet directly, provided the plugs and cables are undamaged.
3. Reseat the power connections. Check the connection at the wall, the power brick (if there is one), and the computer. Make sure each plug fits securely.

What success looks like: A power light comes on, a fan starts, or the manufacturer's startup logo appears. If that happens, you've made progress—even if Windows hasn't loaded yet.

2. If it's a laptop, look at the charger

Some laptops will not start with an exhausted battery until they've been connected to a suitable charger for a while. Plug in the manufacturer's recommended charger and look for a charging indicator, if your model has one. Give it several minutes before trying the power button again.

If it charges through USB-C, make sure you're using a port that supports charging and a charger with enough power for that laptop. A phone charger may fit perfectly and still be inadequate.

Examine the charger and charging port for obvious damage. Do not use a frayed cable, swollen battery, damaged connector, or charger that smells hot or burned. Don't take apart a sealed laptop to remove its battery as part of a beginner-level test.

3. If it's a desktop, check the back of the computer

Many desktop towers have a small switch near the power cord on the back of the power supply. If it has the symbols I and O, I is the on position. Check that the power cord is seated, too.

Leave any red voltage-selector switch alone. Don't open the metal power-supply box or try to repair it. Components inside a power supply can hold a dangerous charge even after unplugging it.

4. Unplug the extras and try once more

Disconnect nonessential accessories such as USB drives, printers, docking stations, and external hard drives. Keep the computer's normal power connection. On a desktop, keep the monitor connected so you can see whether the PC starts.

Press the power button normally. If it starts, reconnect the accessories later, one at a time. A connected device or dock may have contributed to the issue.

5. Try a simple power reset—without opening anything

If the computer still shows absolutely no activity, a power reset may be worth trying. The exact procedure varies by model, so your manufacturer's instructions take priority.

1. Disconnect external accessories and turn off the computer if it is partially running.
2. Unplug its external power cord or charger.
3. For many conventional desktops, hold the power button for about 15–20 seconds while unplugged. Some laptops have different manufacturer-specific reset procedures, so check the model's support guide before using a long button hold.
4. Reconnect the appropriate power cable or charger and press the power button once.

This is a basic power-state reset, not a factory reset. It shouldn't erase your files. If the device still does nothing, don't keep repeating the process or attempt random BIOS resets.

Wait—there are lights, but the screen is black

That's an important clue. The power button may be working just fine.

• Make sure the monitor is turned on and its power cable is connected.
• For a desktop, check that the display cable is secure at both ends and that the monitor is set to the correct input, such as HDMI or DisplayPort.
• On a laptop, check the brightness controls. If you normally use a docking station or external monitor, disconnect the dock and test the built-in display.
• Notice whether the machine makes repeating beeps or flashes its power indicator in a pattern. Note the pattern rather than guessing what it means; codes vary by manufacturer.

A computer with fan activity or lights but no picture may have a video or startup hardware problem. Don't run a Windows reinstall, disk format, or factory reset as a first response to a blank display.

When it's time to stop troubleshooting

If you've confirmed a working outlet, checked the charger or cable, removed accessories, and tried the appropriate power-reset procedure, you've done the sensible beginner checks. A failing charger, battery, power supply, power button, or internal component may need hands-on diagnosis.

Before calling for help, write down the computer's brand and model, whether any lights appear, whether you hear fans or beeps, and whether anything unusual happened just before it stopped working. Those details can save a surprising amount of back-and-forth.

The five-minute takeaway

No lights? Start with power. Lights but no picture? Check the display. A logo or error message? Follow startup troubleshooting instead. A computer that refuses to start isn't automatically a computer that's lost its files.

Further reading: Dell: Troubleshoot computer power issues and Microsoft: Troubleshooting blank screens in Windows. Model-specific procedures may differ.