Troubleshooting

Beginner

5 min read 7 stepsMay 3, 2026Verified May 2026

Computer Won't Turn On — Here's What to Check

Your computer is completely dark when you press the power button. This guide walks you through the most common reasons and the fixes that actually work.

At a Glance

Check the power source first

~31s

Trace the power cord from your computer all the way to the wall. Make sure every connection is firmly plugged in — into the computer, into any power brick or adapter, and into the wall outlet or power strip. If you use a power strip, look for a reset button on it and press it once. Try a different outlet in the room to rule out a dead outlet.

Quick Tip

Power strips that protect against surges have a small reset button. It looks like a tiny raised circle. Press it once and then try the computer again.

For laptops — check the charging indicator

~34s

Plug in your charger and look for a small light on the side or front of the laptop (usually orange or white) that means it is charging. If no light appears, try a different outlet, or borrow a compatible charger if you have one available. A laptop with a completely dead battery will need 5–10 minutes of charging before it will start.

Warning

Do not try to pry open the back of a laptop to check the battery yourself. You can damage the battery or injure yourself. If the charger shows no sign of life after trying two outlets, it may be a faulty charger.

Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds

~18s

Sometimes a computer freezes in a half-on, half-off state and needs a hard shutdown. Press and hold the power button for a full 10 seconds. The computer should turn off completely. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button normally (one short press) to try starting it again.

Check the monitor or screen separately

~27s

If you can hear the fan or see a power light but the screen is black, the problem may be with the display. Make sure the monitor's own power button is on (it usually has a small power light). Check that the cable connecting the monitor to the computer (usually a thick cable going into the back of both) is plugged in firmly at both ends.

Quick Tip

Wiggle the cable gently at both ends. A slightly loose connection is surprisingly common.

Unplug all accessories and try again

~20s

Sometimes a USB device (a thumb drive, an older printer cable, an external hard drive) can interfere with startup. Unplug everything except the power cord and, for a desktop, the monitor. Then try the power button again. If the computer starts, plug your accessories back in one at a time to find which one was causing the problem.

Remove and reinsert the power cord from the computer

~20s

For desktop computers, unplug the power cord from the back of the computer itself, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. For laptops with a removable battery, you can remove the battery, wait 30 seconds, and reinsert it. Then try powering on again. This clears any static charge that might be blocking the startup.

When to seek professional help

~26s

If none of the above steps work, there may be a hardware failure — a worn-out power supply, a failed internal component, or physical damage. At this point it is best to take the computer to a trusted repair shop or call the manufacturer's support line. Write down what you already tried so you can tell the technician — this saves time and money.

Quick Tip

Apple's support number is 1-800-275-2273. Microsoft's is 1-800-642-7676. Many libraries also offer free tech help sessions.

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A computer that will not turn on is one of the most alarming things that can happen — but in the majority of cases, the fix is something simple. Before calling a repair shop, work through the steps below. Most people find the answer within the first two or three checks.

The single most common reason a desktop or laptop appears "dead" is a power issue that has nothing to do with the computer itself. A power strip may have been switched off, a surge protector may have tripped, or a laptop charger cord may have come slightly loose from the wall or from the computer. These account for more than half of all "won't turn on" calls to tech support lines.

If the computer gets power (you might see a small light, hear a fan, or feel it vibrate) but nothing appears on the screen, the screen itself or the cable connecting it may be the problem — not the computer. This is a different issue and the steps below will help you sort out which situation you are in.

A Windows PC and a Mac handle start-up in slightly different ways, but the troubleshooting steps are nearly identical. The guide below works for both.

What to expect:

You will spend about 10–15 minutes going through these checks. You do not need any tools except your hands and, possibly, a different power outlet to test.

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