Having your laptop suddenly stop turning on can be incredibly frustrating. As someone who relies on my laptop for work and entertainment, I know the panic that sets in when that dreaded blank screen appears no matter how many times I press the power button.
Don’t worry, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can try to get your laptop working again. Here’s my guide to diagnosing and fixing a laptop that won’t power on.
1. Check That the Laptop Is Plugged In
This may seem obvious, but make sure your laptop is actually plugged into a working AC power source. If the battery is completely depleted, your laptop will not turn on until it receives adequate power from the adapter.
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Plug the AC adapter directly into the wall outlet. Make sure it’s not connected to a power strip, surge protector or other intermediary that could be OFF.
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Connect the adapter securely into the laptop’s power port. You should see an LED indicator light on the adapter, or hear/feel it click into place.
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Try wiggling the adapter to ensure a proper connection. Faulty power adapters are a common reason for laptops not powering on.
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Let it charge for 20-30 minutes. This gives the battery time to regain enough charge to power on.
If you know for sure the laptop is plugged into a working power source, then the issue likely lies elsewhere. Let’s move on to the next steps.
2. Hold Down the Power Button
Before you panic, simply holding down the power button for 10-15 seconds can help reset your laptop.
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Locate the power button on your laptop. It is usually marked with the power symbol, and often above the keyboard on the upper right.
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Firmly hold down the power button for 15 seconds. This discharges any fleeting current and resets the laptop’s power sequence.
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Release the power button and press it once more to see if the laptop turns on.
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Repeat this process 1-2 more times if it still doesn’t power up. This “hard reset” can force a laptop to power back on.
This trick works in many cases where the laptop just needs a quick refresh. It’s worth trying before you conclude the laptop is broken.
3. Check if the Screen is Responsible
Often when a laptop won’t turn on, the power is actually flowing but the screen remains black. So let’s verify whether the screen is the issue versus a more systemic problem.
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Shine a flashlight at the screen and look for the faint image of your desktop screen. If you see a very dim image, then the display is likely faulty.
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Connect the laptop to an external monitor via HDMI or VGA cable. If the image appears on the external display, the laptop is receiving power but the screen is not working.
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Press brightness up/down keys in case the backlighting got turned off. Also try shutting the laptop, reopening it, and hitting any key to wake it.
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Verify the screen cable is properly connected on both ends if none of the above works. Loose connections can prevent image display.
If you don’t see any flickering of life, the problem is likely with the motherboard rather than just the screen. Let’s look at some laptop motherboard issues next.
4. Test the Memory and internals
Issues with your RAM, hard drive, fan or internal cables can prevent a laptop from powering up properly. Let’s run through some steps to check the laptop’s internals.
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Remove and reseat the RAM: Unplug the RAM module(s) and firmly push back into the slot(s). This renews the connections.
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Try removing the battery and running only on AC power. Faulty batteries can prevent laptops from turning on.
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Listen for fan noise or spinning: If you hear the fan or hard drive spinning up for a few seconds then stopping abruptly, that indicates a motherboard problem.
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Inspect for loose internal cables: Open the case carefully and check that no ribbon cables have come loose from the motherboard.
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Reset CMOS: Look for a CMOS reset pinhole on bottom of laptop. Insert a paperclip and hold for 10 secs to reset BIOS.
If you’ve reseated connections, battery, and RAM to no avail, the motherboard itself likely needs repair or replacement.
5. Consider Sending for Professional Repair
If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and your laptop still does not turn on, the next best move may be to seek professional repair. Some options include:
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Contacting the laptop manufacturer: Many brands have an out-of-warranty repair service for a fee. They have specialized knowledge and parts for their models.
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Visiting a computer repair shop: Local and chain shops can diagnose and source replacement motherboards and components. This costs less than buying a brand new laptop.
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Sending to a mail-in repair depot: You can ship your laptop to service centers like Dell Depot, Lenovo Depot, etc. They’ll repair and return it within a couple weeks.
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Calling a freelance repair technician: Mobile computer technicians can come to your home or office to troubleshoot and fix laptop issues onsite.
While a competent DIYer can troubleshoot many issues, professional laptop repair becomes essential if you’ve exhausted all self-fix options. They have the expertise and spare parts to get virtually any model up and running again.
Let’s Recap the Key Steps
Dealing with a laptop that won’t power on can be stressful. Here are the key troubleshooting techniques to run through:
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Make sure the laptop is plugged into a live outlet, and that the adapter is undamaged and properly connected.
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Do a “hard reset” by holding down the power button for 10-15 seconds, then release and press again. Repeat several times.
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Check whether the screen powers up even if image doesn’t display. Connect to external monitor to test.
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Reseat and replace RAM, remove battery, inspect cables to ensure motherboard components are seated properly.
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Consider professional repair if DIY efforts don’t get the laptop to turn on. Manufacturers, repair shops and technicians have advanced tools to diagnose and replace faulty parts.
With sustained effort and patience, you can hopefully get your dormant laptop humming again. I know the huge relief I feel when my laptop finally boots up after being unresponsive. Don’t give up!
