If your computer won’t turn on, it can be a troubling and annoying problem to troubleshoot. However, the first thing you should do is to remain calm and methodically work through a few steps that could help diagnose and solve the problem.
1. Check the power supply – Make sure that the power cable from your monitor, tower, or laptop is securely plugged into a working wall outlet. Try using a different wall outlet in case the one you’re using isn’t delivering power to your computer. If you’re using a laptop, plug it into a wall outlet as well as try a different power adapter to make sure that isn’t the issue.
2. Check to make sure your modem or router is on – You may need to check to make sure your internet connection is working so you can make sure your computer can get online. If you are using a wireless connection, make sure that your router is turned on and the wireless connection is enabled and secure.
3. Look for signs of power – Check if any lights are illuminating on the front of your computer (or anywhere else on the machine). This will show whether or not it has power, or if it is getting any kind of signal. Check your monitor too – many have power indicators.
4. Try a hard reset – Unplug all cords and peripherals from your computer (such as an external mouse and keyboard) and then press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. If you’re using a laptop, remove the battery, press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds, then reinsert the battery, and power On.
5. Listen for any sounds – Any startup sound (such as beeps) might indicate that your computer is receiving some power, but isn’t actually starting up properly. Different motherboard models may have different startup sounds, so make a note of the specific sound to narrow down the potential cause.
6. Check the monitor connections – Look to see if any cables connected to the monitor are loose or lose power. Make sure each cable is securely connected and pushed in all the way. If the video cable is properly connected yet still isn’t getting a signal, then try disconnecting the cable from the monitor and connecting it to a different monitor to see if it works.
7. Check BIOS settings – If the computer appears to be running, but the monitor is off, then it might be a problem related to the BIOS. To check your BIOS settings, restart the computer and press [F2] to enter the setup screen. Make sure that the video output is set correctly for the type of monitor you are using (VGA for analog monitors or DVI for digital monitors).
8. Check the power supply – If the LEDs on your computer are lit, yet the system won’t boot, then you may have a faulty power supply. To check this, open up your computer’s case and take a look at the power supply fan. If it’s not running, then you likely need to replace the power supply.
9. Test the RAM – If the power supply fan is running and the LEDs on your computer are lit, yet the computer still won’t boot, then you may have a faulty RAM module. To test the RAM, you can use an online RAM testing tool or try swapping out the RAM with another compatible module.
10. Check the CMOS battery – A bad CMOS battery can also cause your computer not to boot up. To replace the battery, open up your computer’s case and locate the CMOS battery, which is usually a small, circular battery on the motherboard. Replace the battery with a new one and see if that resolves the issue.
If none of the above steps resolves the problem, then you may have an issue that requires more advanced troubleshooting. It might be time to take your machine to a computer repair shop or contact tech support for further help.