It’s a terrible way to start the day: you turn on your computer and nothing occurs.
There are numerous reasons why a computer will not power on, and there are frequently little hints as to what is causing the problem. The only symptom is usually that “nothing works,” which isn’t much of a clue.
First and foremost, don’t be concerned; your files are most likely safe
When confronted with a computer that won’t start, most individuals worry, fearing that all of their important data may be lost forever.
True, the most typical reason a computer won’t start is that a piece of hardware has failed or is causing a problem, but that hardware isn’t usually a hard drive, which is the component of your computer that contains all of your files.
In other words, your apps, music, papers, emails, and movies are most likely safe—they’re simply inaccessible right now.
The approaches listed below are appropriate regardless of whatever Windows operating system is installed, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Furthermore, they apply to all PC devices. In other words, they’ll come in handy if your desktop or laptop, or even your tablet, won’t power on. We’ll point out any significant changes along the way.
The computer does not appear to be powered on
If your computer won’t come on and shows no sign of getting power—no fans running and no lights on the laptop or tablet, or on the front of the computer’s case if you’re using a desktop—try these procedures.
If you’re using a desktop or an external display, don’t worry about the monitor just now. If the computer won’t turn on due to a power problem, the monitor won’t be able to display anything from the computer. If your computer has ceased providing data to your monitor, the light on it will most likely be amber/yellow.
The computer turns on and then off
If your computer switches off immediately after you turn it on, follow these procedures. You may hear your computer’s fans start up, see some or all of your device’s lights turn on or flash, and then everything will stop.
You will not see anything on the screen, and you may or may not hear beeps, known as beep codes, from the computer before it shuts down on its own.
Nothing Happens When the Computer Is Turned On
Try these troubleshooting procedures if your computer appears to be receiving electricity after you turn it on but you don’t see anything on the screen.
In these cases, the power lights will remain illuminated, you will hear the fans within your computer (if it has any), and you may or may not hear beeping from within.
In our experience working with PCs that won’t start, this is perhaps the most prevalent scenario. Regrettably, it’s also one of the trickiest to troubleshoot.
During the POST, the computer stops or repeatedly reboots
Use this instruction if your computer powers on, displays something on the screen, but then repeatedly pauses, freezes, or reboots during the Power On Self Test.
The POST on your computer may occur in the background, behind your computer’s manufacturer’s logo, or you may notice frozen test results or other messages on the screen that aren’t progressing.
If you encounter a problem during the loading of the operating system following the Power On Self Test, do not use this troubleshooting method. Begin troubleshooting Windows-related reasons for your machine not turning on with the following step listed below.
When a BSOD occurs, Windows begins to load but then stops or reboots
Try these procedures if your computer starts to load Windows but then pauses and displays a blue screen with information on it. Before the blue screen shows, you may or may not see the Windows splash screen or logo.
This type of mistake is known as a STOP error, although it is more widely known as a Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD. A BSOD problem is a common cause why a Windows-powered machine would not boot.
Choose this troubleshooting guide even if the BSOD appears on the screen and your computer restarts without allowing you to read what it says.
Windows starts to load but then stops or reboots without an error message
Try these procedures if your computer powers on, begins to load Windows, but then repeatedly freezes, stops, or reboots without displaying any error message.
The loop of pausing, freezing, or rebooting may occur on the Windows splash screen or even on a dark screen, with or without a flashing cursor.
If you suspect that the Power On Self Test is still running and that Windows has not yet begun to boot, a better troubleshooting guide for why your computer won’t switch on would be the one mentioned above, Computer Stops or Continuously Reboots During the POST. It’s a narrow line that can be difficult to see at times.
If your computer won’t start and a blue screen flashes or remains on the screen, you’re experiencing a Blue Screen of Death and should follow the troubleshooting steps outlined above.
Windows Keeps Returning to Startup Settings or ABO
When nothing except the Startup Settings (Windows 10/8) or Advanced Boot Settings (Windows 7/Vista/XP) screen displays when you restart your computer and none of the Windows startup options work, follow this instruction.
In this case, no matter which Safe Mode option you select, your computer eventually stops, freezes, or restarts on its own, returning you to the Startup Settings or Advanced Boot Options window.
This is a particularly aggravating way to encounter a startup difficulty because you’re attempting to use Windows’ built-in methods to remedy your problem but aren’t having any luck with any of them.
On or after the Login Screen, Windows stops or reboots
Try this troubleshooting method if your computer boots up, Windows displays the login screen, but then freezes, quits, or reboots here or later.
The pausing, freezing, or reboot cycle can occur on the Windows login screen, while Windows is logging you in, or at any moment before Windows fully loads.
Because of an error message, the computer does not fully boot up
Use this troubleshooting guide if your computer turns on but then stops or freezes at any time, displaying an error message of any kind.
Error warnings can show at any point during the boot process of your computer, including during the POST, and at any point during the loading of Windows, all the way up to the appearance of the Windows desktop.