Introduction
Having a laptop that won’t turn on can be incredibly frustrating. As our main computing devices, we rely on laptops to get work done, stay connected, and entertain ourselves. When a laptop won’t power on, it brings everything to a halt.
The good news is that with some troubleshooting and diagnostics, many common issues that cause a laptop not to turn on can be fixed yourself. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I take when my laptop won’t turn on. By following these tips, you can get your laptop back up and running.
Troubleshoot the Power Supply
The first thing to check when a laptop won’t power on is the power supply. This is the large power brick that connects to the laptop via a cable.
Verify that the power cable is plugged securely into both the wall outlet and laptop. Try plugging it into another outlet in case the original outlet is faulty.
Inspect the end of the power cable that goes into the laptop for any looseness or damage to the connector.
Also check the power brick itself for any indicator lights. The brick should light up when connected to power to show that it’s receiving electricity.
If the power supply seems faulty, borrow a compatible one from someone else to test if that’s the issue. You can also purchase a replacement power adapter for your specific laptop model.
Check the Battery
The next thing to check is the laptop’s battery. Make sure the battery is seated properly in its bay. Remove and reseat the battery by:
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Turning the laptop over and looking for a battery release latch. This is usually a sliding switch or button.
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Press the battery release and the battery should pop up at an angle.
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Lift the battery out of the bay and wait 10-15 seconds.
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Reinsert the battery by sliding it back into place and pressing down until it clicks.
Also, check if the battery is charged. Plug in the power supply and try turning the laptop on after charging for a few minutes.
If the battery is worn out and no longer holds a charge, it will need to be replaced. Purchase a new battery designed for your specific laptop make and model.
Start Up in Safe Mode
If the power supply and battery seem okay, try starting the laptop in safe mode. Safe mode loads only the essential drivers and settings required to boot up Windows. This can bypass any software issues preventing normal startup.
The way to enter safe mode varies by the Windows version installed:
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Windows 10 – Hold down the power button during boot up to access the recovery menu. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After restarting, choose Safe Mode.
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Windows 8 – In the Settings charm, click Update and Restart. During reboot, hold down the Shift key to get Advanced Startup Options. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Pick Safe Mode after restarting.
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Windows 7 – Tap F8 while booting to get to Advanced Boot Options. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode.
If the laptop can enter safe mode but not boot normally, it indicates a software or driver conflict. Use safe mode to uninstall recently installed programs or update drivers.
Connect to an External Display
Connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV and see if it displays anything. This will help determine if the laptop screen itself has failed.
Use the VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, or other video output from the laptop to connect to an external screen. If the laptop desktop, BIOS, or boot screen shows up on the external display, it points to an issue with the laptop screen or video cable.
Remove and Reseat Internal Hardware
At this stage, more invasive troubleshooting is needed. This involves taking apart the laptop to remove and reseat internal components.
Power off and unplug the laptop. Remove the battery first if possible. Refer to a teardown guide for your specific laptop model to see how to open the case and access the components.
Once inside, here are some things to check:
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Reseat the RAM – Remove and reinsert the RAM modules. Push them firmly into the slots until they click.
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Check cables – Make sure the thin display, keyboard, trackpad, and daughterboard cables are connected properly to the motherboard. Reseat the cables.
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Remove storage drives – Take out any M.2 SSD and/or 2.5″ hard drive and put them back in.
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Reset CMOS battery – Locate the small CMOS battery on the motherboard and temporarily remove it for 10-15 seconds before reinserting.
These steps will rule out any loose connections or component issues. Put the laptop back together, reconnect power, and try turning it on.
Test with Minimum Configuration
If you still can’t get any signs of life, strip down the laptop to the minimum required hardware.
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Remove any non-essential components like extra RAM, hard drives, keyboard, etc.
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Only connect the display, main system board, speakers, and power button.
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Try turning it on in this minimal setup.
This stripped down configuration isolates the problem to the core components. If it still doesn’t start up, the mainboard, CPU, or power button is likely defective and will need replacement.
Replace the Motherboard
At this point, the major suspects are the motherboard or CPU. Replacing the motherboard essentially means getting a new laptop.
Determine if it’s worth the cost for your model and age of laptop. Motherboard repair/replacement can run $200-500 in parts and labor.
An alternative is to just buy another used working laptop of the same model on eBay for a few hundred dollars. If the repair cost exceeds the value of the laptop, it may make sense to replace it entirely.
Summary
Here are some key tips to remember when troubleshooting a laptop that won’t power on:
- Check the power supply and battery
- Boot into safe mode
- Connect an external display
- Reseat internal components
- Test with minimum hardware
- Replace the motherboard as a last resort
Thoroughly working through these steps can help identify and fix many common causes of a laptop not turning on. With time and patience, you can get your laptop operational again. But if the cost is excessive compared to the laptop value, replacing it may be the prudent option.
