In this guide, I will illustrate how to turn on a computer that won’t start through a series of simple steps, most of which can be taken with minimal prior knowledge and without spending a single euro (or with a very low cost).
So, without hesitating any longer, get comfortable and read carefully everything I have to explain on the topic: I am confident that by the end of this guide, you will have identified—and perhaps resolved—the problem that prevents your PC from starting correctly. Happy reading and good luck!
Table of Contents
- Preliminary Information
- How to Turn On a Desktop Computer That Won’t Start
- How to Turn On a Laptop That Won’t Start
- How to Turn On a Gaming PC That Won’t Start
Preliminary Information
Before diving into this guide and explaining to you how to turn on a computer that won’t start, ensure you understand the nature of the malfunction of the device, so you can evaluate the correct solutions to apply right away. You can easily perform this check: all you need to do is plug the computer into a power source and press the Power button, just like you would to turn it on.
If, following the press of the power button, nothing happens at all (the fans stay off, the LEDs do not light up, and so on), it’s very likely that an internal peripheral, presumably the power supply, battery, or motherboard, is at the center of a hardware problem. It is not necessarily something serious, but it could also be a disconnection inside the case.
If the computer tries to turn on instead (in which case, you will hear the fans starting up and see the lights illuminate) but fails to boot, the problem may reside in the software, or rather an incorrect configuration of the operating system. However, there may also be poorly seated components.
There are many issues that can arise in this context, some of which may be difficult to identify without multiple attempts (even after replacing components and using test benches). There are, however, typical checks that can be performed to understand if it is possible to resolve the situation easily, before potentially sending the PC in for repair. The purpose of this guide will be to indicate the checks to perform to attempt to isolate the problem and bring the computer back to life.
How to Turn On a Desktop Computer That Won’t Start
Having established the necessary clarifications, I would say it is time to understand how to turn on a computer that won’t start, or rather what can be done in this context. Let’s start with what concerns the desktop PC, as this is where major checks can be performed.
Check Power Supply and Cables
The power supply (or PSU) is the internal component of the computer responsible for providing electricity to the motherboard and all hardware connected to it: it follows that any malfunction of this component immediately results in the entire PC not turning on.
Most power supplies in desktop computers have a physical ON/OFF switch at the back that can turn the device on or off: for this reason, before considering hardware malfunction, it is advisable to ensure that the switch is in the ‘on’ position.
To do this, check the back of the computer and look for the switch, usually located at the bottom of the case: once found, ensure it is set to ON/I; if not, do so yourself. Finally, turn on the computer and verify that everything is back to normal.
If everything was already fine but the computer still does not turn on, you might consider opening the case and checking the correct connection of all cables coming from the power supply. It can happen, especially if you have recently assembled the computer or if you moved it to another position, that a cable has come loose, which can lead to the device not turning on. If you find any disconnected cables and are unsure where to plug them in, I recommend doing specific searches online or asking specific questions to communities of PC enthusiasts.
If the situation still does not resolve, you can check if the power supply is functioning using a power supply tester, a small device that, when connected to the motherboard connector, allows you to verify the operation (and possibly the power output) from the PSU. These devices can be purchased at well-stocked electronics stores or online.
Once you have the necessary equipment, remove the side panel of the case opposite the one where the motherboard is installed (the left side) and locate the 20/24 pin connector, which connects the power supply to the motherboard.
When you find it, unplug it from its socket, insert it into the power supply tester, press the power button on your computer, and, if necessary, press the corresponding button on the tester: this way, both the power supply and tester should light up and the parameters related to the voltages supplied by the PSU should appear on the tester’s screen.
If, after providing power, neither the tester nor the power supply turns on at all, it is very likely that the latter is irreparably damaged and should be replaced.
Check the Power Button
If all the previous checks have turned up negative, the lack of computer power could be due to a physical problem with the Power button. Or it could be a wiring connection issue, as it has not been uncommon for people to reverse the small connectors for Power SW and Reset SW (so pay attention to that matter).
If the damage is evident instead (broken button, poorly positioned, pushed too far inwards, etc.), after connecting the computer to the power supply, try pressing the aforementioned button with varying pressure intensity and positions: in the best case scenario, you could fix the problem in no time! You should remember the exact position used to turn on the computer, as you will need to replicate it in the future.
If the problem does not resolve even this way, you might consider purchasing an external power switch, to be connected directly to the motherboard and used instead of the Power button present on the case.
Other Issues to Check
Regardless of whether you are wondering how to turn on an ASUS computer that won’t start or how to turn on a Lenovo computer that won’t start, you can go beyond the previously mentioned issues by performing additional checks. The brand of the involved computer really doesn’t matter much; it is more about ensuring everything is properly configured and functioning. Below are some issues that may be of interest to you.
- CMOS: in some contexts, information related to the BIOS, a key element for the proper functioning of the components of the computer, may become corrupted. Whether it be hardware incompatibility due to recent component replacement, a power issue, or incorrect configuration, there are methods to reset this element that could be helpful. One of these consists, after turning off the PC and disconnecting it from power, in opening the case and removing the CMOS battery from its designated housing (you might also try replacing it), then pressing and holding the power button for 15 seconds. This will discharge any residual energy. After reinserting the battery, waiting around 30 seconds, you may need to reset the computer’s time and date.
- Further Hardware Checks: there are many hardware checks you can perform in this context. For instance, it may be of interest to also verify the functioning of the processor, motherboard, and video card, in more advanced cases.
- Drivers: if your computer starts but no screen signal appears, the issue may be related to drivers or resolution being used. Indeed, in some contexts, connecting to certain screens may lead to situations like this.
- Windows Recovery: in certain contexts, after unsuccessfully attempting to start the desktop computer multiple times, the operating system, such as Windows 11, might prompt you to carry out a software recovery following diagnostics on the PC components. If this is the case, I suggest following the on-screen instructions to try to resolve the situation, choosing whether or not to keep saved files on your computer (if it is not a new purchase or a PC you are assembling).
Now, you are aware of all relevant issues concerning how to turn on an HP computer that won’t start or how to turn on an Acer computer that won’t start, just to name a few examples (even though, as mentioned before, the brand does not matter much).
If, instead, there’s simply no way to get the device working, you might consider taking the PC for repair, so that experts can evaluate what the specific issue is using appropriate test benches.
How to Turn On a Laptop That Won’t Start
If you have a laptop, the failure to start could be due to a malfunction of the battery. First, if possible, disconnect the battery from the notebook by using the appropriate lock/release hooks, usually located on the battery itself, and after removing it, connect the notebook to a power source using the provided power adapter and turn it on. If the computer comes back to life, then the malfunction is certainly due to the battery that likely needs to be replaced.
If the situation still does not resolve, the problem might lie with the laptop’s power adapter. First thing, plug it into the electrical outlet (I recommend wearing an insulating glove or material to limit potential damage to yourself caused by unforeseen malfunction), check that any status LED present on it lights up, and ensure the device doesn’t make strange noises or emit unusual odors.
If you notice any anomalies, disconnect the power adapter from the notebook and the electricity: likely, the notebook won’t start because it can no longer provide the necessary energy, nor charge the battery.
In that case, you might consider buying a universal power adapter, compatible with the notebook you own: such devices can be purchased at the best computer parts stores or online, at very affordable prices.
How to Turn On a Gaming PC That Won’t Start
In conclusion of the guide, I would say it’s worth briefly touching on the issues related to gaming PCs, so you can better navigate in this context. After all, it is precisely within computers tailored for gaming that assembly from scratch or upgrades are often performed.
In case you were wondering, yes: the information provided in the chapters of the guide regarding desktop PCs is also useful in this context, but there are also other issues well known to those who have tried to build their gaming PC over the years. So, if you’re wondering how to turn on a computer that won’t start in this context, you might have encountered situations like power cycling.
This refers to one of the most dreaded situations for gamers, not because it is insurmountable but because of the awful feeling one gets when they have just finished assembling their gaming computer, and it keeps turning the fans on and off instantly, in a continuous cycle. Especially if there are no issues related to overclock, in this case, it could be a problem with the RAM modules. Therefore, I recommend verifying that these are properly seated.
However, there are many potential causes for such a scenario, so identifying the problem immediately isn’t simple. One issue that might be useful to know is that it could involve an insufficient or low-quality power supply, especially if you recently upgraded elements such as the graphics card or the CPU.