Most of the time a laptop that won't turn on just needs a hard reset. Unplug the charger, disconnect the battery if you can get to it, hold the power button for about 30 seconds, then plug the charger back in and try again. It fixes more dead laptops than anything else we try. If it doesn't work, there are a few other things worth checking first.
Is it actually dead, or just not showing anything?
Look for any sign of life. A charging light, a caps lock light that responds, fan noise, a keyboard backlight. If there is something but the screen is black, shine a torch at the screen from an angle. A faint picture means the backlight has failed. You can also plug the laptop into a TV or monitor with an HDMI cable. If a picture appears, the laptop is fine and the screen is the problem, which is a different job.
What should you check first?
- Check the power. Try a different wall socket, make sure the charger is pushed all the way into the laptop, and look along the cable for kinks or damage, especially near the plugs. If the charger has a light on it, see if it's on. If you have a spare charger that fits, try that.
- Unplug everything else. USB drives, dongles, SD cards, external screens. Occasionally a faulty device stops a laptop from starting.
- Give it a bit of charge. If the battery has been flat for a while, leave it plugged in for 20 to 30 minutes before you try again.
- Do a hard reset. Steps below.
How do you hard reset a laptop?
A hard reset drains the leftover power in the laptop. That clears the stuck state that stops it from starting, and it's the fix most of the time.
- Unplug the charger and everything else.
- Disconnect the battery. On older laptops it clips out from the underside. On most newer ones it's inside, so you need to take off the bottom cover and unplug the battery connector from the motherboard. A few models are the other way around and you get at the battery through the keyboard.
- Hold the power button down for about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the battery, refit the cover, plug the charger in and press the power button.
If you can't get the battery out, holding the power button for 30 seconds or more with the charger unplugged is still worth a go. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it's enough.
Go carefully. Laptops are all built differently. Some are a few screws and a cover that lifts off. Others have screws hidden under rubber feet and stickers, and plastic clips that snap if you pull. Don't force anything. If it isn't coming apart easily, stop and look up your exact model first, or get us to do it for you.
What if a hard reset doesn't work?
Then it's usually one of these: a charger or charging port that has failed, a battery that won't take charge, a memory or storage fault, a dead motherboard, or liquid damage. If it's been wet, stop trying to switch it on, because power through a damp board can make things worse.
One safety note. If the case is bulging, the trackpad has lifted, or the keyboard is sitting higher than it used to, the battery may be swollen. Don't charge it or press on it. Get it looked at.
Whatever the cause, the files on the drive are usually fine even when the laptop won't start. Hold off on any factory reset or Windows reinstall, and if the files matter, tell whoever is looking at it before anything gets wiped. We can help with getting files off a drive that won't boot.
Common questions
How long should I hold the power button for a hard reset?
About 30 seconds, with the charger unplugged and the battery disconnected if you can reach it. Some brands have their own reset steps, so it's worth checking your model's support page too.
Is it safe to open my laptop to disconnect the battery?
Usually, if you go slowly and have the right small screwdriver. But laptops vary a lot. Some are held by a few screws, others by hidden screws and plastic clips that snap easily. If it isn't coming apart without force, stop and get someone to do it. Opening it may also affect your warranty.
My laptop has lights or fan noise but the screen stays black. Is it dead?
Not necessarily. Plug it into an external monitor or TV with an HDMI cable. If you get a picture, the laptop is running and the problem is the screen or its cable. A hard reset is still worth trying.
Will I lose my files if my laptop won't turn on?
Usually not. Your files sit on the drive, and a laptop that won't start doesn't mean the drive has failed. Just don't factory reset it or reinstall Windows until you've checked, because that is what actually wipes things.
Can you fix a laptop that won't turn on at my place?
We come to you across Greater Hobart, find out what's wrong and tell you what it needs. A lot of no-power faults are sorted on the spot. If it needs a part or bench work, we'll take it with us, and if it isn't worth repairing we'll say so.
Laptop still not turning on, or you'd rather not open it up? HeyTech comes to your door across Greater Hobart for laptop and computer repairs. Book a visit →