Your Computer Will Not Turn On — Here Is What to Check

Few things cause more panic than pressing the power button and getting nothing. Before you assume the worst, there are some simple things to check. Here is what I walk people through when they call me from Lake Country and Kelowna.

For laptops

• Make sure the charger is properly seated at both ends (laptop and wall)
• Try a different power outlet
• Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a reset, then try again
• If the battery is removable, take it out, hold power for 30 seconds, reinsert and try
• Look for any indicator lights — a charging light means power is getting through

For desktop computers

• Check that the power cable is firmly plugged in at the back of the computer and at the wall
• Try a different power outlet or power bar
• Check the switch on the back of the power supply (some have one) — it should be set to "I" or "On"
• Listen for any sounds when you press power — fans spinning briefly, beeps, or clicks tell me a lot

When to bring it in

If the computer shows no signs of life at all — no lights, no fan movement, no sounds — there is likely a hardware problem. Common causes include a failed power supply, a dead motherboard, or a loose internal connection. These are all repairable. Bring it in — the $40 diagnostic, credited to your repair, tells you exactly what is wrong.

If the computer powers on but does not get to the Windows login screen, that is a different problem — usually a software issue, a failed drive, or a Windows error — and also very fixable.

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