A computer that won't turn on is one of the most alarming IT problems — but many of the most common causes are surprisingly simple and have nothing to do with a failed hard drive or motherboard. Work through these checks before concluding something is seriously wrong.
1. Check the power connection
It sounds obvious, but loose or faulty power connections are responsible for a significant number of “won't turn on” calls we receive. Before assuming the worst, verify every link in the power chain.
Check the wall socket
Plug something else (a phone charger, a lamp) into the same socket to confirm it has power. If the socket is dead, check your office circuit breaker or try a different socket.
Check the power cable
Make sure the power cable is firmly seated at both ends — at the wall and at the back of the computer or the power brick. Try unplugging and re-plugging both ends.
Check the power strip or UPS
If your computer is connected via a power strip or UPS (uninterruptible power supply), check that it is switched on and hasn't tripped its own overload protection. Some UPS units have a reset button.
Check indicator lights
Does the computer show any LED lights — even a faint flicker — when you press the power button? A power LED that flashes briefly suggests the machine is receiving power but failing to start.
2. Laptops: check battery vs. mains power
If you're on a laptop, the battery adds an extra variable. A laptop with a completely flat battery may not start even when plugged in — it sometimes needs a few minutes to charge before it has enough power to boot.
Laptop power checks
- →Plug in the charger and leave the laptop for 5–10 minutes before trying to turn it on again. If the battery is completely flat, it needs a small charge before it can boot.
- →Check that the charger indicator light (usually on the charger brick or on the laptop itself) is lit. A dead charger light suggests a faulty charger rather than a faulty laptop.
- →Try a different charger if one is available — charger cables can fail without any visible damage.
3. Remove docking stations and peripherals
USB-C docking stations and port replicators can occasionally interfere with a laptop's ability to start — particularly if the dock is providing power and there is a conflict. Similarly, a faulty USB device or external hard drive can sometimes prevent a computer from completing its startup sequence.
Disconnect your laptop from the docking station completely and connect the charger directly to the laptop. Remove any USB drives, external hard drives, and other peripherals. Then try turning it on. If it starts, reconnect peripherals one at a time to identify which one caused the problem.
4. The computer is on — but the screen looks blank
A blank screen with the computer appearing to be running (fan spinning, lights on) is different from a computer that won't power on at all. These are very common causes of a “blank screen on startup”:
Screen brightness turned to zero
Press your brightness up key (usually Fn + F2 or a sun icon on the keyboard). It's surprisingly easy to have accidentally pressed it during the day.
Wrong display output selected
If you use an external monitor, the laptop may be outputting to the external display only. Try pressing Fn + F4, Fn + F5, or the display switching key on your keyboard to cycle through display modes.
Still showing a black screen during startup
Some computers take 20–30 seconds to show anything after the power button is pressed — especially after updates. Wait a full minute before concluding the screen isn't working.
External monitor not displaying
Check the display cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C) is firmly connected at both ends. Try a different cable or port. Confirm the monitor is switched on and set to the correct input source.
5. Try a forced restart
If the computer appears to have power (indicator lights are on, you can hear the fan) but the screen remains blank and nothing happens, a forced restart can clear a frozen startup state.
How to force restart:
- 1. Hold down the power button for 10 full seconds until the computer powers off completely.
- 2. Wait 30 seconds.
- 3. Press the power button once to start it normally.
A force restart is safe and will not cause data loss for files saved to OneDrive, SharePoint, or other cloud locations. Any unsaved local work may be lost.
When to stop and call IT immediately
If you've worked through all of the above and the computer still won't start, or if you experience any of the following, contact IT without further troubleshooting. Continuing to force restart a machine with an underlying hardware fault can sometimes make the situation worse.
- !The computer makes clicking, grinding, or beeping sounds when you press the power button
- !You smell burning or notice unusual heat around the computer or power cable
- !The machine starts but immediately shuts down again — repeatedly
- !You see error messages about disk failure, memory errors, or missing operating system files
- !The problem started immediately after a power cut, lightning strike, or load shedding event
Need help right now?
If you're a StormDotCom client and your computer still won't start after working through this guide, contact us. We'll help diagnose whether this is a hardware fault, a software issue, or something simpler — and advise on next steps without unnecessary guesswork.
Contact the Help Desk