Buzz
If your laptop refuses to turn on, don't worry! In most cases, it's a straightforward fix. We reached out to computer repair specialists Chiara Corsaro and Luigi Oppido to pinpoint the typical reasons why a laptop, whether PC or MacBook, might fail to start, and they've provided a range of easy troubleshooting steps and fixes you can do yourself. This guide is designed to help you diagnose the problem and get your laptop back on track.
How to Repair a Laptop That Won't Start
Most of the time, the issue stems from the power or battery. Check for loose connections or damaged power cords and ports. Try a different outlet, both with and without the battery inserted. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds, instead of just a quick press. Perform a hard reset on a PC laptop or an SMC reset on a MacBook.
Steps to Follow
Possible Causes
Various issues can stop your laptop from powering on when you press the power button:
- Power Issues: If there's no response when you press the power button, it could be a power-related problem. This may be due to a faulty outlet or power strip, a defective charging cable, or issues with the laptop’s charging port or motherboard mechanism.
- Battery Failure: A dead battery can prevent your laptop from charging or turning on. You may need to remove the battery and plug the laptop directly into a power source to get it to power up.
- Hardware Failures: Problems like damaged RAM, a broken motherboard, or in rare cases, a dead CMOS battery could stop your laptop from starting.
- Display Problems: If you hear the fan running or other sounds but the screen remains black, the laptop is likely turning on, but there might be an issue with the display, operating system, or software.
Troubleshooting Steps & Fixes
Hold the power button for 10-20 seconds. If a single press of the power button doesn’t turn on your laptop, try holding it down for a longer period. If the laptop still won’t start, release the button after 20 seconds, wait a minute, and press the power button again. Often, this simple step can solve the issue.
- If your MacBook lacks a dedicated power button, press and hold the Touch ID sensor instead.
Inspect the power cord and connectors. Ensure the charging cable is securely plugged into both the laptop’s charging port and the power outlet. If there’s a charging brick, check that both ends of the cord are firmly attached, as these connectors can easily become loose and prevent the laptop from charging.
- Corsaro recommends inspecting the cord and connectors for signs of damage. "Sometimes the connector is loose, so you need to verify the power adapter is intact."
- Oppido agrees: "The plug that connects to the laptop can wear out over time. Plugging it in and out frequently can cause the prongs inside the connector to loosen—and without a solid connection, the laptop won't charge."
- Carefully move the part of the charger connected to the laptop’s charging port. If it feels loose or wiggles, it could indicate a broken power pin inside the port, preventing the laptop from powering on.
Unplug all accessories and remove any media. If your laptop has any devices or media attached, such as USB drives or external monitors, disconnect them and try turning the laptop on again.
Try plugging your laptop into another power source. Oppido emphasizes the need for proper power supply. "Just like a car, if there's no fuel, it won't run." If your laptop is plugged into a power strip or surge protector, bypass it and plug it directly into the wall—these devices can malfunction, cutting off the power needed to charge or turn the laptop on. If that doesn't work, try a completely different outlet.
- You can test the outlet by plugging in another device to see if it works.
- If you have a spare adapter (for the same laptop model), try it. If the laptop turns on, you'll need a new adapter.
Perform a hard reset/power drain (for PC laptops). This method is most effective with removable batteries, but it can still work with built-in ones. Here's how:
- Disconnect the charger from both the wall and the laptop.
- Remove the battery.
- Hold the power button for around 20 seconds to discharge any leftover power.
- Reattach the battery and plug the power cable back in before attempting to turn the laptop on again.
Check for display and software problems. When the laptop is plugged in and you power it up, you should notice power indicator lights near the charging port, on the back or sides, or sometimes even on the keyboard. If any lights appear, your laptop might be turning on even though the screen is black.
- Listen for sounds like the fan spinning.
- If your laptop has keys to adjust the brightness, try pressing the brightness-up key multiple times. On some models, if the brightness controls share keys with F-keys (like F6 or F7), you may need to hold down the Fn key while adjusting the brightness.
- Switch off the lights and check if you can detect any backlight on the screen. If the screen is dark but backlit, try connecting an external monitor. If the monitor works, the issue may lie with your laptop's display, graphics card, or motherboard. If the monitor doesn't work, the issue could be software- or OS-related—hold down the power button for 30 seconds to shut it off, then try turning it on again.
EXPERT ADVICE
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Computer & Tech Specialist
Software issues are seldom the root cause. If your laptop isn’t charging, the issue is more likely to be a faulty AC adapter, a poor connection between the charging port and adapter, battery problems, or an issue with the motherboard’s charging circuit.
Reset the SMC (MacBook). If your MacBook refuses to power up, Corsaro recommends resetting the SMC (also known as a PRAM reset). The steps differ depending on whether you have an Apple T2 chip or Intel chip. With the Apple Silicon chip, manual reset isn’t possible if the MacBook won't turn on.
-
Apple T2 Chip
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release it.
- Wait a few seconds, then press the power button once to turn on your Mac.
- If that doesn’t work, press and hold these keys together for 7 seconds: Control + Option (left Option key), and Shift (right Shift key).
- After 7 seconds, also press and hold the Power button (without releasing the other keys) for another 7 seconds.
- After releasing all keys, wait a moment, then try to turn on your MacBook.
-
Intel
- Press and hold these keys simultaneously: Shift (left Shift key), Control, and Option (left Option key).
- Keep holding these keys while pressing the Power button—don’t release any keys.
- After 10 seconds, release all the keys.
- Wait a moment, then power on your MacBook.
Test turning on the laptop without the battery. If your laptop has a removable battery, the issue may be the battery itself. Try removing the battery, plugging in the power charger, and see if the laptop powers on. If it does, the battery likely needs replacing.
- Oppido points out that if changing the battery doesn’t solve the problem, the issue may lie with the charging circuit on the motherboard. This circuit is responsible for directing power into both the laptop and the battery. "If that charging circuit fails," Oppido explains, "you’ll typically need a new motherboard."
EXPERT ADVICE
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Computer & Tech Specialist
Let your battery discharge at least once a month. Many people leave their laptops plugged in for extended periods without using the battery. When they finally unplug, the battery may not hold a charge anymore. To keep your battery healthy, make sure it goes through a full discharge cycle (from 100% to 20% and back to 100%) once a month.
Listen for beep codes. If you're using a PC laptop, pay attention to any beeping sounds when you try to power it on. If power isn’t the issue, your laptop might emit a series of beeps that indicate hardware issues. The meaning of the beep codes varies by manufacturer, so check the specific pattern for your brand.
- For instance, if your Dell Inspiron laptop beeps four times at startup, that usually points to a RAM failure. The same pattern could mean something different on an HP or Lenovo laptop.
Check for overheating signs. If your laptop unexpectedly shuts down and won't power back on, it could be due to overheating. Feel the bottom or top of the laptop (around the keyboard) to see if it's hot. If it is, allow it to cool down completely before trying again.
- If the laptop overheated, dirt or debris could be blocking the air vents, or they may have been obstructed, such as when the laptop is used on a soft surface like a pillow.
Inspect for physical damage. If your laptop has been dropped, exposed to water, or had something heavy fall on it, there may be visible signs of damage, like a cracked screen, broken lid hinges, or a cracked case. While liquid damage can be harder to spot, you may notice a sticky residue or moisture inside. If your laptop is covered under accidental damage protection, repairs or replacements are usually covered.
Remove any newly added hardware. Adding new hardware like extra RAM or a second graphics card could prevent your laptop from powering on. Try removing the newly installed hardware and see if the laptop powers on. If it does, there might be an issue with the hardware installation, compatibility, or the new part itself.
Replace the CMOS battery. In rare cases, a failed CMOS battery can cause your laptop to refuse to power on. If you're comfortable with disassembling your laptop, you can try replacing the CMOS battery. However, be aware that this may void any warranties or additional coverage on the device.
Reach out to a technician. If your laptop still won't turn on after troubleshooting, it’s time to contact a professional technician. If the device is still under warranty or has accidental damage coverage, you may be entitled to free repairs or a replacement. Otherwise, a qualified technician can help you determine whether repair is feasible or if it’s time to buy a new computer.
