8 steps to fix a computer that won’t turn on

Insights overview

That silence is the worst part. You press the power button on a critical desktop computer, and nothing happens. No fans spinning, no lights, no familiar boot-up chime. When a PC won't turn on all of a sudden, the cause can range from something incredibly simple to a critical hardware failure. 

The key is not to panic but to approach the problem with a clear, methodical process. This guide provides a complete physical repair checklist to get your hardware running. For handling the complex software and configuration issues that often follow a successful boot, IT experts rely on powerful remote support tools to manage devices efficiently from anywhere, ensuring seamless operations once the power is back on.

In the following steps, you’ll learn exactly how to diagnose and fix a computer that won’t power up.

In this article

  • Step 1: Verify your power source and cables
  • Step 2: Disconnect all non-essential peripherals
  • Step 3: Look and listen for diagnostic clues
  • Step 4: Rule out a faulty monitor
  • Step 5: Test the power supply unit (PSU)
  • Step 6: Reseat key internal components
  • Step 7: Reset the BIOS by clearing the CMOS
  • Step 8: Perform a barebones boot test

Step 1: Verify your power source and cables

Before you open the computer case, always start with the most basic and common points of failure: the power source. A loose cable or a tripped surge protector is a frequent culprit and the easiest issue to fix. This initial check can save you a significant amount of diagnostic time.

  1. Ensure the main power cable is firmly connected to both the wall outlet and the back of the desktop computer. 
  2. Check the power switch on the back of the PC's power supply unit (PSU); it is surprisingly easy to bump it into the off position.
  3. If the computer is plugged into a power strip or surge protector, make sure the strip itself is switched on and functioning.
  4. To confirm the outlet is working, plug a different device, like a lamp or a phone charger, into the same socket. If that device doesn't receive power, the problem is with your outlet or the circuit breaker. If the outlet is fine, try swapping the computer's power cord with one from a working device, as the cable itself could be faulty.

For a laptop, these steps are similar. Check that the AC adapter is securely plugged into the wall and the laptop's charging port. Look for an indicator light on the adapter brick. If you're wondering why your laptop is not starting after pressing the power button, a dead battery combined with a faulty charger is a very common reason.

Step 2: Disconnect all non-essential peripherals

Electrical interference or a short circuit from a faulty peripheral can prevent a computer from powering on. A malfunctioning USB device, printer, or external hard drive can draw too much power or send a bad signal that halts the boot process entirely. Isolating the core system is a critical step in diagnosing the problem.

Begin by unplugging everything connected to your computer except for the power cord. This includes your mouse, keyboard, external drives, webcam, printer, and any other USB devices. Do not forget to disconnect display cables like HDMI or DisplayPort for this step as well.

Once you have disconnected all peripherals, try to turn the computer on again. If the PC starts up, it indicates that one of the connected devices was causing the issue. To find the culprit, power the computer off and plug the devices back in one by one, attempting to boot after each addition until the problem reappears.

This quick process of elimination helps you pinpoint exactly which piece of hardware is creating the conflict. Once identified, you can replace the faulty device or its cable. This simple reset is often all that is needed to resolve a startup issue without ever needing to open the computer case.

Step 3: Look and listen for diagnostic clues

Even if your computer doesn't fully boot, it often provides clues about what is going wrong. These signs can tell you whether the issue is with the power supply, motherboard, or another internal component. Paying close attention to lights and sounds is a fundamental part of the diagnostic process for tech experts.

First, observe the lights. If the PC won't turn on but the power light is on, it's a significant clue. A solid or blinking light on the case or motherboard means the system is receiving at least some power from the PSU, but a critical component is failing its initial check. Consult the computer or motherboard manual to interpret what specific light patterns or colors mean.

Next, listen carefully when you press the power button. Do you hear a single, short beep? That is often a sign of a successful Power-On Self-Test (POST). However, a series of beeps—long or short—is a distress code from the BIOS indicating a specific hardware failure, such as issues with RAM or the graphics card.

If you hear nothing at all and see no lights, the problem is most likely related to the power source, pointing back to the PSU, the power cable, or the wall outlet. Conversely, if you hear the fans spin up loudly for a second and then shut down, it could indicate a short circuit or a failing motherboard or PSU.

Step 4: Rule out a faulty monitor

Sometimes, the computer is turning on perfectly, but nothing appears on the screen. Users often report this as a "PC that won't turn on," but the issue is actually with the display. Differentiating between a no-power issue and a no-display issue is a crucial fork in the road for your troubleshooting efforts.

First, check the monitor's power light to ensure it is receiving power. If the light is off, check its power cable and the outlet. If the light is on or blinking, it means the monitor has power but may not be receiving a signal from the computer. Make sure the monitor is set to the correct input source (e.g., HDMI 1, DisplayPort 2).

Next, inspect the video cable connecting the computer to the monitor. Ensure it is securely fastened at both ends. If possible, try using a different video cable or a different port on both your graphics card and monitor to rule out a faulty connection. A damaged cable is a simple but common point of failure.

The most definitive test is to connect the computer to a different, known-working display, such as another monitor or a TV. If an image appears on the second display, you have confirmed the original monitor is the problem. If there is still no signal, the issue lies within the desktop computer itself, likely with the graphics card or other internal components.

Step 5: Test the power supply unit (PSU)

If your initial checks show no signs of life—no lights, no fans, no beeps—the power supply unit is a primary suspect. The PSU is responsible for converting AC power from the wall into DC power for all internal components. A failed PSU will prevent anything in your system from turning on.

For a desktop computer, a common diagnostic is the "paperclip test." This method allows you to test if the PSU fan will spin up without being connected to the motherboard. Warning: This is for advanced users and IT professionals only, as improper handling of a PSU can be dangerous. 

  1. Disconnect the PSU from all internal components.
  2. Use a bent paperclip to bridge the green wire (PS_ON) and any black wire (ground) on the main 24-pin motherboard connector.
  3. If the PSU fan spins, it has a higher chance of being functional.

A more reliable method is to use a dedicated PSU tester. These are inexpensive devices that you plug your PSU's connectors into. The tester has a series of lights that indicate whether the voltage levels on each rail are within the correct specifications. This is the fastest and safest way to get a definitive answer on the health of your power supply.

If the PSU fails either of these tests, it needs to be replaced. A failing PSU can also cause intermittent problems, such as the computer shutting down unexpectedly or a situation where the PC won't turn on but the power light is on. Replacing a faulty PSU is a standard repair and often resolves the issue completely.

Step 6: Reseat key internal components

Over time, due to heat cycles and physical vibrations, internal components can become slightly unseated from their sockets on the motherboard. This can break the electrical connection and prevent the computer from booting. Reseating these components is a classic troubleshooting step that re-establishes a solid connection.

  1. Before opening the case, make sure the computer is completely unplugged from the wall and you have grounded yourself to prevent static discharge.
  2. The most common components to check are the RAM modules. Push down on the tabs at both ends of each RAM stick to release it, then lift it out.
  3. Re-insert it firmly back into the slot until the tabs click into place.
  4. If you have multiple RAM sticks, try booting the computer with only one stick at a time, testing each module in each available slot. A single faulty RAM stick can prevent the entire system from starting. This process helps you isolate whether you have a bad module or a bad motherboard slot.

The graphics card is another component that can come loose. If you have a dedicated graphics card, remove it from its PCIe slot, inspect the slot for dust, and then re-insert it firmly. Also check that any additional power connectors running from the PSU to the graphics card are securely attached.

Step 7: Reset the BIOS by clearing the CMOS

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI is the firmware on your motherboard that initializes hardware during the boot process. Incorrect or corrupted BIOS settings can prevent your computer from turning on or completing the POST. A quick way to resolve this is to reset the BIOS to its factory defaults by clearing the CMOS.

CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a small amount of memory on the motherboard that stores BIOS settings, and it is powered by a small, coin-cell battery.

  1. Unplug the PC from the wall.
  2. Locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard.It is a round, silver coin-cell battery (similar to a watch battery).
  3. Carefully remove the battery.
  4. Wait about five minutes to allow any residual charge to dissipate.
  5. Reinsert the battery back into its slot.

This process will erase any custom BIOS settings, including potentially problematic ones related to overclocking or boot order, and revert them to the default configuration.

Alternatively, many motherboards have a dedicated jumper for clearing the CMOS. It is typically a set of three pins with a small plastic cap covering two of them, often labeled ‘CLR_CMOS’ or similar. To use it, you move the cap to cover the other two pins for a few seconds and then move it back to its original position. Consult your motherboard manual for the exact location and procedure.

Step 8: Perform a barebones boot test

If you have tried all the previous steps and the computer still won't turn on, it is time to isolate the problem with a minimal hardware configuration. This "barebones" test involves removing all but the most essential components required for the PC to boot. This helps you determine if a secondary component is causing a short or failure.

  1. Unplug the PC.
  2. Remove all components from the motherboard except for the following: the CPU with its cooler, one stick of RAM, and the 24-pin and 8-pin power connectors from the PSU. 
  3. Disconnect all storage drives (SSDs and HDDs), case fans, and front panel connectors except for the power switch.
  4. With only the essential hardware connected, try to power on the system. If it boots and you get a display or the correct beep code for a missing boot drive, it means one of the components you removed is faulty.
  5. Add parts back one by one—the second RAM stick, the graphics card, a storage drive—and reboot after each addition until the problem returns.
  6. If the computer still fails to boot with this minimal setup, the issue lies with one of the core components: the motherboard, the CPU, or the PSU. At this stage, you are likely dealing with a dead component that requires replacement. 

This methodical process ensures you have confidently diagnosed the source of the failure.

Summary: A methodical path to a fix

When you need to figure out how to fix a computer that won't turn on, a structured, step-by-step approach is your most valuable tool. By starting with the simplest potential problems and progressively moving toward more complex diagnostics, you can efficiently isolate the root cause without wasting time or replacing components unnecessarily.

This guide provides a clear path for any IT professional to follow, from checking basic power connections to performing a barebones boot test. Each step is designed to rule out a category of potential failures, bringing you closer to a solution. Whether the culprit is a loose cable, a faulty peripheral, or a failed internal component, this process will help you find it.

Ultimately, getting a dead computer running again is just the first step. For IT teams, maintaining system uptime and ensuring seamless productivity across all devices is the larger goal. At TeamViewer, we empower IT experts with the tools they need to manage, support, and access their entire IT infrastructure from anywhere, turning complex challenges into manageable solutions.