When your computer won’t power on, the first thing you should do is to check the power source. Make sure the power cord is securely plugged in to the wall outlet or surge protector and that the light on the surge protector is illuminated. If it is not, press the power switch on the surge protector to reset it, and then plug your computer in again. If this does not work, try plugging the power cord from your computer into another outlet to see if it will turn on.
If the power cord appears to be secure, you can check your computer’s power supply. Unplug the power cord and then open the case of your computer. Check the cables running from the power supply to the motherboard and other components in the system, ensuring that they are securely connected and seated in their connectors. Also look for any damaged or frayed wires, as this could be causing the power supply to malfunction.
If everything appears to be connected properly, you may need to replace the power supply. Disconnect all cables from the power supply, unplug the power cord from the wall, and then remove the old power supply from the system. Take the old power supply with you to a computer store so that you can purchase a new one. When you are installing the new power supply, make sure to connect all the cables correctly and to plug in the power cord before powering on the computer.
Next, you should check the internal hardware to make sure it is not causing the power issue. With the power cord still unplugged, check the RAM and video cards to make sure they are securely seated in their slots and swapped around if necessary. Unplug any unnecessary internal components such as additional hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and USB devices, and then try booting the computer without them.
If the computer still will not power on, you may need to reset the BIOS settings. To do this, locate the motherboard battery and remove it. After leaving the battery out of the system for at least 10 minutes, replace it and try powering on the computer again. If this does not work, you can try resetting the BIOS by locating the BIOS reset switch (usually located near the processor) and pressing it for a few seconds until the BIOS settings are reset.
Lastly, if none of these solutions work, the problem may lie in your computer’s motherboard. In this case, you will need to take your computer to a computer repair shop and have a professional diagnose the issue. The repair shop should be able to identify any problems with the motherboard and then recommend the most cost effective solution.
No matter what the cause of your computer not powering on is, it is important to take action quickly to prevent any further damage. Following the instructions above will help you identify and fix the problem so that you can get back to using your computer as soon as possible.