The Laptop Will Not Turn On: How to Troubleshoot It

By Ruri Ranbe

Laptop computer
i laptop image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com

A laptop may fail to power on for any number of reasons. A damaged or defective motherboard or processor, a broken AC adapter or a drained battery pack can all prevent a PC from booting. If your laptop fails to start, before you assume the problem is related to hardware failure, however, you should first confirm that the cause is not related to a faulty connection.

Step 1

Remove the AC adapter from the laptop. Close the lid to the laptop and flip the computer over, so that the bottom is facing up. Make sure that the battery pack is installed to the appropriate compartment and is locked or screwed in place.

Step 2

Turn the laptop over once again and attach one end of the AC adapter to the power jack, located on the side of the laptop. Plug the AC adapter into the wall.

Step 3

Confirm that the AC cord is securely attached to the power adapter. If your AC adapter is plugged into a surge protector, make sure that the surge protector is plugged into the wall and that the power switch is in the "on" position.

Step 4

Open the lid, then press the "Power" button. If a yellow or red light near the base of the laptop begins to flash but the laptop does not power on, you may need to replace your AC adapter or the power jack on your computer. If no lights appear, you may need to replace the battery or the motherboard.

×