Computer Won't Turn On?
Try These Fixes First
A computer that won't turn on feels like the end of the road — but in my over 30 years fixing these things, a "dead" PC is usually a lot more alive than it looks. Before you panic or pay for a repair, work through this list in order. Most of the time, one of these gets you back up and running.
1 Check the Power — Really Check It
It sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed how often a "dead" computer is just a power problem. A loose cable, a flipped switch, or a dead outlet can all look exactly like a broken PC.
Plug the computer straight into a wall outlet you know works — skip the power strip and surge protector for now, since those fail more often than people think. On a desktop, check the little power switch on the back of the tower near where the cord plugs in; make sure it's set to ON (I, not O). Wiggle every cable at both ends. For a laptop, try a different charger if you have one — bad charging bricks are extremely common.
2 Drain the Residual Power
Computers hold a small amount of leftover electrical charge even when they're off. Sometimes that charge gets "stuck" and stops the machine from booting. Clearing it out — what I call a hard reset — fixes a surprising number of no-power problems.
Unplug the computer from the wall (and remove the laptop battery if yours pops out easily). Then press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. This drains the leftover charge. Plug it back in and try turning it on. This one little trick has saved me countless service calls over the years.
3 Make Sure It's Not the Monitor
Here's a sneaky one: sometimes the computer is turning on — you just can't see anything. A dead monitor, a loose video cable, or the wrong input selected can make a perfectly healthy PC look completely dead.
Listen and look closely. Are the fans spinning? Are any lights on? If so, the computer has power and the problem may be your display. Check that the monitor is plugged in and switched on, reseat the video cable at both ends, and make sure the monitor is set to the right input/source. If you can, test with a different monitor or cable.
4 Reseat the RAM (Desktops)
Over time — especially after the machine's been moved — a memory stick can work itself loose. When that happens, a desktop often powers on with fans spinning but no display, and sometimes a series of beeps.
With the computer unplugged, open the side panel and find the RAM sticks (long, thin boards near the processor). Push the clips on each end outward to release them, pull the stick straight out, then firmly press it back in until the clips snap closed. Reseating the memory clears a lot of "fans on, screen black" no-boots.
5 Reset the BIOS — Pull the Motherboard Battery
If a desktop still won't boot, corrupted BIOS settings can be the culprit. Your motherboard has a small coin-shaped battery (a CR2032, about the size of a quarter) that stores those settings. Pulling it for a minute resets the BIOS back to factory defaults — and that's enough to wake up a machine that's hung before it even reaches the startup screen.
With the computer unplugged, open the side panel and find the round silver battery sitting flat on the motherboard. Gently push the little metal clip to the side and the battery will pop up. Leave it out for about 1–2 minutes, then press it back in the same way it came out (flat side up). Close it up, plug in, and power on.
Always unplug the computer from the wall first — never poke around inside a powered machine. Touch a bare metal part of the case to discharge static from your hands before touching any components. And take a quick photo before you unplug anything, so you know exactly how it goes back together. If any of this feels over your head, there's no shame in stopping here and calling someone — that's what we're for.
Still Nothing? Let's Take a Look.
If you've worked through every step and your computer is still refusing to start, you may be looking at a failing power supply, a motherboard issue, or a dead hard drive — the kind of thing that's hard to diagnose without the right tools and some hands-on experience.
That's where a professional saves you time, money, and a lot of frustration. If you're in the Nanaimo, BC area, BigMike Computer Services has been bringing "dead" computers back to life for years. A quick call or email can tell you whether it's a cheap fix or time for an upgrade — before you spend a dime.
Visit BigMike Computer Services →— BigMike | Computer Repair Technician, Nanaimo BC
📧 BigMikeNanaimo@gmail.com