Buzz
Many people have encountered the issue of a computer not starting up. While this could indicate a serious hardware problem, more often than not, it's a simple issue that can be easily addressed. With some basic troubleshooting knowledge, you'll be able to fix startup problems on both Mac and Windows computers in most cases.
Steps
Windows Computer Not Starting
Check the power source. Make sure the power cable is securely plugged in.
Luigi Oppido
Computer repair technician & Owner, Pleasure Point Computers
Computer repair technician & Owner, Pleasure Point Computers
Our expert agrees: First, check if your computer is plugged in. Look for a power indicator light or unplug the device and test with another device that has a light to ensure the power is working. A computer is like a car—without fuel, it won't run.
Turn off the computer. Make sure all power cables are securely connected.
Wait at least 10 seconds for the capacitors to fully discharge and shut off completely.
Turn the computer back on. By this point, the computer should be fully powered off and ready to restart.
Máy tính bị treo khi khởi động
Tắt máy tính lần nữa.
Khởi động lại máy sau 2 phút.
Chọn tùy chọn khởi động.
- Trong trường hợp màn hình hiển thị logo “Windows” và yêu cầu bạn chọn tùy chọn khởi động, hãy đọc chỉ dẫn trên màn hình một cách cẩn thận trước khi lựa chọn.
Khởi động lại hệ thống ở Safe Mode (Chế độ an toàn). Nhấn F8 khi thiết bị khởi động. Bạn sẽ được chuyển vào chế độ an toàn.
Uninstall recently added software. Remove any software or drivers you have recently installed or updated. This might resolve the issue automatically.
Power on the computer and enter BIOS. Investigate the cause of the problem. If overclocking is involved, reset the FSB and vCore to their default values.
- Click on 'Exit and save changes' after resetting.
Open the computer case. To open the case, simply remove the screws at the back, located near the outer edge.
- Make sure to touch a metal part of the case before handling any internal components to avoid damaging your computer with static electricity.
Remove and reinsert components.
- Remove the RAM, graphics card, and any cables connected to the CPU socket.
- Take out the battery located at the end of the motherboard. Typically, the battery is in a small holder with a latch at one end.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Reconnect each component one by one.
Plug in and restart the computer.
- Do not attempt steps 7 and 8 if you're not comfortable working with computer parts. Otherwise, you may create more problems.
Take the computer to a repair shop. If you're not confident working on the computer or have tried all the steps with no results, take it to a repair shop. Make sure to explain the issue as clearly as possible and let them handle it for you.
Windows Laptop Not Booting
Check the power source.
Check the laptop charger. Make sure you're using the correct charger for your laptop.
- Laptops typically use a charger with a 16-20V output. Using a charger with different voltage might prevent the laptop from receiving enough power to start up.
Test with a backup charger to confirm the issue isn't with the charger you're currently using.
Check the laptop battery. Ensure that your laptop has battery power.
- If the battery is low, plug in the charger and turn on the laptop.
Turn off the laptop.
Wait a few minutes and then restart.
Disconnect external devices. Unplug all external devices, such as monitors, cameras, etc. This way, you can be sure they aren't the reason the laptop isn't booting properly.
Check if the screen is working. Ensure that the laptop's screen is functioning. If the power light is on and you can hear the hard drive or fan running, but the screen is blank, the issue may be with the display.
- Sometimes, a malfunctioning inverter can prevent the screen from displaying anything. In that case, you may need to replace the inverter.
- Use an external monitor to check the laptop's display. Connect the monitor, turn it on, and close the laptop. If the external screen can't connect to the device, the issue likely isn't just the screen itself.
Take the computer to a repair shop. If you're unsure about working on the computer or if you've followed all the steps with no success, take it to a repair shop. Make sure to fully describe the issue and let them handle the problem for you.
Mac Computer Not Booting
Check the power source. Make sure you're using the correct cables and charger.
Disconnect peripheral devices.
Check recently installed software/hardware. Ensure that any recent software or driver installations/updates were done correctly.
Ensure the display is working. If your Mac is running but you're unable to access the screen, it's likely an issue with the hardware responsible for display or the screen itself.
Run Disk Utility. For Macs running OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or later, you'll need to boot in OS X Recovery Mode.
- Turn off the Mac.
- If the Mac is frozen, hold the power button for several seconds. It will automatically shut down.
- Press and hold the Command and R keys. The system will reboot.
- Select the pre-configured hard drive in Disk Utility.
- Click “Verify Disk” and wait for the system to perform the task.
Boot the Mac in Safe Mode. Turn off and restart the Mac, holding down the Shift key during startup.
- Press and hold Shift, Command, and V to enter Safe Boot and Verbose Mode. This mode will explain each step of the Safe Boot process.
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC). If the above steps don't work, you might need to reset the SMC of your Mac. Apple provides detailed instructions for this task.
Reinstall Mac OS X.
- Boot in Recovery Mode and select to install Mavericks.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until the process is complete.
Take the computer to a repair shop. If you're not confident handling the computer yourself or if none of the previous steps worked, take the computer to a repair shop. Use your best ability to explain the issue and let them take care of it for you.
Advice
- Always ensure you're grounded when working with internal computer components to avoid static shock.
Things You’ll Need
- Screwdriver (if you plan to explore inside the computer)
- Anti-static wristband (optional)
