What to do when your computer won’t turn on.
So you’re ready to type that project report, you sit in front of your computer , switch it on but alas!, it refuses to come on. What an awful way to start a day.
There are many reasons why a computer won’t turn on and often very few clues about what might be the problem. The only symptom is usually the simple fact that “nothing works,” which isn’t much to go on. For most people, panic stets in at this point, worried that all their precious data is gone forever.
Yes, it’s true that the most common reason a computer won’t start is because a piece of hardware has failed or is causing a problem, but that hardware isn’t usually a hard drive, the part of your computer that stores all of your files.
So take a deep breath and try to relax. Here we’ll explain the possible causes and how to try and fix a PC or laptop that won’t boot up.
Check the power cord
First and foremost, make sure your laptop is plugged in. Take a good, careful look at the power cord for any kinks or breaks that could be disrupting the flow of electricity. If the AC transformer box shows signs of discoloration, burning smells or warped parts, it probably needs to be replaced. If you find any faults in the power cord, replace it. You can find replacement power supplies online, at electronics retailers or by calling your computer’s manufacturer. If you find any damage to the power supply, unplug it from the wall and laptop until you’re able to replace it.
Check the screen.
Try disconnecting any external displays including projectors and monitors to make sure they’re not stopping your laptop from booting into Windows.
If your computer’s power LED lights up and you can hear the hard disk or fan(s) whirring, but there’s no image on the screen, then make the room dark and check that there isn’t a very faint image on the screen.
It’s easy to think a laptop isn’t booting when in fact, it’s the screen that’s the problem. If your laptop appears to be booting fine, but there’s no image at all, the LCD panel could be at fault. Replacing a laptop screen is possible but difficult, and screens can also be costly. If it’s an older laptop, it’s worth considering buying a new one.
Remove any USB drives or memory cards.
So, you’ve checked and everything is ok with the power cord and screen, your computer may be getting stuck before it loads Windows. A classic culprit here is a USB drive or memory card left inserted into a USB port or card reader. For the majority of the time, it means the BIOS is set to try booting from removable storage drives (including cards) before the internal hard drive.
It could also be a disc left in the DVD or Blu-ray drive, so check those too.
Remove and reconnect the battery.
The laptop can also be in a power state preventing it from booting properly. Power connectors can become loose over time and stop working. Try disconnecting the power cable and then removing the battery from the laptop. Leave both disconnected from the laptop for at least a minute. After you wait, put the battery back into the laptop, connect the power cable, and try turning the laptop on again.
