Laptop Not Turning On? Here’s What to Check Before You Panic

Not all dead laptops are truly dead. Sometimes, the fix is easier (and cheaper) than you'd think. Whether your machine shows no signs of life or just refuses to boot, here are the common causes — and what you can try before you book a repair.

1. Check the basics first

• Power cable and socket
  Sounds obvious, but it's always worth confirming. Try another plug socket, and check if the charger light turns on (if it has one).

• Loose or broken charger
  Inspect the power cable for kinks, frays, or damage. If the charging pin feels loose or sits awkwardly in the socket, the port could be damaged or the charger might be failing.

• Battery reset
  Some laptops have a pinhole battery reset button on the underside. Press it with a paperclip and then try powering up again. Useful on brands like Lenovo and some Acers.

2. Try a power drain reset

• Remove the battery (if removable)
  Unplug the laptop, remove the battery, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then reconnect everything and try again.

• For internal batteries
  Just hold the power button for 30–60 seconds while it’s unplugged. This can clear up power-related quirks.

3. No screen, or screen is black?

• External display test
  Plug in an external monitor or TV via HDMI. If the laptop’s on but the screen’s dead, this will help confirm if it’s a display issue.

• Keyboard lights or fan spin?
  If the laptop sounds like it’s running but you see nothing, the backlight or screen cable might be faulty. This is common in older models and can be fixed.

4. BIOS or beeps? Pay attention

• Beeps or flashing lights at startup
  These are error codes. They might sound cryptic, but they help narrow things down. One long beep and two short, for example, often points to a display issue.

• BIOS corruption
  If you see the logo then it freezes, your BIOS might be corrupted or misconfigured. This needs a careful reset — or, in some cases, a reflash.

5. Still nothing? Could be hardware

• Motherboard or power circuit failure
  These are the worst-case scenarios and usually the most expensive. If the laptop’s totally dead despite all of the above, it could be internal damage or failure.

• Liquid damage?
  Even small spills can corrode components over time, leading to power failure down the line.

Final thoughts

If your laptop isn’t turning on, it’s not always game over. Many times, it’s something simple — a dodgy charger, a drained battery, or a confused BIOS. Try the basics, take a breath, and if you're still stuck, that’s where I come in.

I can check the internals, test the board, swap the charger, and give you a quick, honest answer. No guesswork, no pressure. And if it is done for? I’ll tell you that too — and help you find a good replacement.