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4 Things to Do If Your Laptop Is Plugged in but Not Turning On

4 Things to Do If Your Laptop Is Plugged in but Not Turning On

Posted by Team Recompute on 1st Apr 2020

The average American spends over 9 hours a day on computers and other devices.

Since they’re such a big part of our lives, it’s no surprise that computer problems are a major source of stress!

If your laptop computer won’t turn on, don’t panic. There are a few reasons this could be happening, and we’re here to help you figure it out.

Here are four things you should do to troubleshoot the problem.

1. Check the Power Supply

When your laptop won’t turn on even if it’s plugged in, there’s a chance that there’s an issue with your power supply. If it’s been plugged in for a while without charging, the battery could have run dead, which would explain your problem.

Test the outlet by plugging in a different device (or even something like a lamp) and see if it works. If it does, then you know the outlet isn’t the problem. If you’re using a surge protector or battery backup, test it the same way.

Then, remove your laptop battery completely and plug the laptop into an outlet that you know functions. If your laptop comes on without the battery in, then you’ve just discovered that the problem is with your battery!

Now you can either buy a new battery or only run it when it’s plugged into an outlet.

2. Make Sure It’s Not a Screen Issue

Sometimes it will appear that a laptop won’t turn on, but the problem is actually with the screen. This is often the likely issue if the power button is lit and fans are running, but you’re not seeing anything.

To troubleshoot this, start by disconnecting any other output devices, like monitors or projectors. Then, turn off the lights to see if there's a very faint image on the screen. If so, the problem is the screen’s inverter and you’ll have to replace it.

It’s also possible that the brightness button on the screen is broken or you have a broken LCD panel.

3. Disconnect All Devices

It’s also possible that computer accessories, like a USB drive, memory card, or even a DVD are causing the issue. This sometimes happens when the BIOS tries to boot up from the removable storage. In this case, removing it should fix the problem.

If removing the devices fixes the problem, add back what you need one at a time so you can pinpoint any ongoing issues.

4. Try Booting in Safe Mode

Safe mode is a setting that allows you to boot up your computer and uninstall any new programs that could be causing problems with your laptop.

If you have the dreaded “black screen of death” but can see a cursor, then these instructions may help you fix the problem.  

Computer Won’t Turn On? You Might Need a New One

If your computer still won’t turn on, it might be time for a replacement. But, don’t panic! It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Browse our selection of refurbished laptops today and see how much you can save!