My computer won't turn on
Before assuming the worst, try these. A surprising number of "broken" computers are fixed in 2 minutes.
For a laptop
1. Plug it in and wait
- Plug the laptop into its charger.
- Check that the charger is plugged into the wall, and that the wall outlet works (test it with a lamp or phone charger).
- Look for a small light on the laptop or on the charger itself — it usually means power is reaching the laptop.
- Leave it plugged in for at least 15 minutes, then try the power button again. A totally drained battery sometimes needs a few minutes before it will respond.
2. Try a hard reset
- Unplug the charger.
- If the battery comes out (older laptops), take it out. Most modern laptops have built-in batteries — skip this if yours doesn't open.
- Hold the power button down for 30 seconds.
- Plug the charger back in (and battery if you removed it).
- Press the power button once. Don't hold it.
For a desktop computer
1. Check the obvious
- Is the power cable plugged into the back of the computer firmly?
- Is the other end plugged into the wall or power strip?
- If it's on a power strip, is the strip turned on? Try plugging the computer directly into the wall.
- Is the wall outlet working? Test with a lamp or phone charger.
- Is there a power switch on the back of the computer (usually next to where the power cable plugs in)? Make sure it's in the "on" position.
2. Computer powers on, but the screen is black
- This is different from "won't turn on" — the computer is starting, but the monitor isn't getting a signal.
- Check that the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
- Check the cable from the monitor to the computer. Unplug both ends and plug them back in firmly.
- If you have another monitor or TV to try, plug the computer into that to test.
What if you hear beeping or see error messages?
Write down or take a picture of:
- Any error message on the screen (the whole thing, even if it doesn't make sense).
- How many beeps you hear, if any.
- Any blinking lights and what color they are.
Send that to us with a message. Those details tell us what's wrong without us even seeing the computer.
None of this worked
That's a sign the computer needs hands-on attention. Send us a message and we'll set up a time to take a look. Diagnostics are free — we'll tell you what's wrong before charging for any work.