Although it may seem alarming, there are often simple solutions to get your laptop working again. Here are some effective fixes you can try.

How to Fix It When Your Laptop Won’t Power On

To resolve an issue with a laptop that won’t turn on, you should work from the most likely causes, which are the easiest to fix, to the most difficult.

1. Check and replace the power supply. This step may seem like common sense but confirm you didn’t plug the wrong power supply into your laptop. Many laptop AC adapters look the same. If the adapter doesn’t offer the correct voltage and amperage for your laptop, it won’t work.

   However, if your laptop’s power light is on, the power supply is probably working. If both the laptop power light and the adapter power light are on, it could indicate a battery problem.

   If you aren’t plugging it in, check if the battery is charged. We’ve all experienced the frustration of a dead battery. For frequent travelers, consider investing in a portable laptop battery charger.

2. Detach from any docking stations and plug the power adapter directly into the laptop.

   A faulty power port or power supply in a docking station can cause startup issues. If your laptop starts after removing it from the docking station, replace the faulty docking unit.

3. Make sure it’s not a screen issue. A common mistake occurs when the screen itself is black, causing people to mistakenly believe the laptop is off when it isn’t.

   If you’re using a second monitor, disconnect it to see if the desktop appears on the laptop’s screen.

   If it doesn’t, use the brightness function key on your keyboard to increase the brightness. Try plugging a different external monitor into your HDMI or other video output port to check if the problem is just with your laptop’s display.

   If the laptop display or monitors show nothing but the power and/or keyboard keys are lit up, there could be a problem with your laptop’s display adapter. In this case, it’s best to consult a computer technician.

4. Make sure all cooling vents are clear. Laptops have special safety circuits to cut power to your laptop if any components overheat—usually the CPU. Overheating can happen for many reasons, but most commonly, it’s if you use the laptop on a pillow or sofa—any surface that blocks the cooling vents. Avoid this to keep your laptop cool.

5. Remove any bootable media drives. If you’ve ever booted your computer from a USB device or DVD and forgot to remove it, it could cause startup problems.

6. Listen for beep code sounds. When motherboard components fail, the laptop might issue a series of beeps. The number of beeps is actually a code to help you identify the failed component.

   If you hear these beeps, visit the laptop manufacturer’s website to interpret the code for your specific machine—it could indicate anything from a memory issue to a video card or processor problem.

7. Remove any residual electricity by removing the battery, disconnecting the power adapter, and pressing and holding the power button for 30 seconds. Reconnect the power adapter, wait 30 seconds, and then power on the system. If your laptop starts, turn it off again and reinstall the battery.

   If your laptop turned off suddenly while you were using it, this could indicate an electric shock of some sort that caused the built-in safety mechanism to disconnect power. This is to protect sensitive components from electrical overload.

   If the laptop won’t turn on after you’ve reinstalled the battery, you likely have a faulty battery and need to replace it with a new one.

8. Replace the CMOS battery. The laptop motherboard contains a small circular battery that powers CMOS, which allows the BIOS to load the operating system and all input and output components during bootup.

   If this battery is dead, the laptop won’t start. You can replace the CMOS battery yourself if you are comfortable opening the case, though many prefer to have an experienced technician do it.

   One sign that the CMOS battery needs to be replaced is if you have to reset the date and time often.

9. Replace any newly installed components. Did you recently install new RAM cards or a hard drive? If your laptop stopped booting immediately after, there’s a really good chance the new hardware is faulty or was installed incorrectly.

10. Send the laptop in for repairs. If none of the troubleshooting tips above helped get your laptop working again, you might have a failed motherboard component.

    The best choice is to get your computer fixed by a professional. If your laptop is under warranty, send it to the manufacturer for repair.

Causes of a Laptop Not Turning On

There are a lot of potential causes for a laptop not turning on. These may include a problem with the power adapter, screen, battery, or even a faulty component on the motherboard.