How to repair a computer that shows no sign of power
In many ways that computers can’t be opened, full power outage is rarely the worst. Your personal computer may not get electricity because of a serious problem, but it is impossible.
There are several possible reasons why a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer might not power on, so it’s very important that you step through a complete troubleshooting procedure like the one we’ve outlined below.
Important: If it appears that your computer is, in fact, receiving power (lights on the computer turn on, fans are running, etc.), even if just for a moment, see How to Fix a Computer That Won’t Turn On for a more applicable troubleshooting guide.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Anywhere from minutes to hours depending on why the computer isn’t receiving power
What You’ll Need: Your AC adapter if you’re troubleshooting a tablet or laptop, and possibly a screwdriver if you’re working on a desktop
How to Fix a Computer That Shows No Sign of Power
- Believe it or not, the number one reason why a computer won’t turn on is because it wasn’t turned on!
Before starting a sometimes time-consuming troubleshooting process, make sure you’ve turned on every power switch and power button involved in your computer system:
- Power button/switch, usually located on the front of a desktop computer’s case, or on the top or side of a laptop or tablet
- Power switch on the back of the computer, usually just on a desktop
- Power switch on the power strip, surge protector, or UPS, if you’re using any of them
- Check for disconnected computer power cable connections. A loose or unplugged power cable is one of the top reasons why a computer won’t turn on.
Laptop & Tablet Tip: Even though your computer runs on a battery, you should make sure that the HP EliteBook 8530p AC Adapter is plugged in properly, at least during troubleshooting. If you regularly keep your computer plugged in, but it has wiggled loose and now the battery is empty, your computer may not be getting power for this reason.
- Plug your tablet, laptop, or desktop directly into the wall if it’s not already. In other words, remove any power strips, battery backups, or other power distribution devices between your PC and the wall outlet.
If your computer starts getting power after doing this, it means that something that you removed from the equation is the cause of the problem, so you’ll likely need to replace your surge protector or other power distribution devices. Even if nothing improves, continue troubleshooting with the computer plugged into the wall to keep things simple.
- Perform a “lamp test” to verify power is being provided from the wall. Your computer isn’t going to turn on if it’s not getting power, so you need to make sure that the power source is working properly.
Note: I don’t recommend testing an outlet with a multimeter. Sometimes a tripped breaker can leak just enough power to show proper voltage on the meter, leaving you with the assumption that your power is working. Putting a real “load” on the outlet, like a lamp, is a better option.
- Verify that the power supply voltage switch is set correctly if you’re on a desktop. If the input voltage for the power supply unit (PSU) does not match the correct setting for your country, your computer may not power on at all.
- Remove the main battery in the laptop or tablet and try using AC power only. Yes, it’s perfectly fine to run your portable computer without the battery installed.
If your computer turns on after trying this, it means that your Hp elitebook 8530p laptop battery is the cause of the problem and you should replace it. Until you get it replaced, feel free to use your computer, so long as you’re close to a power outlet!
- Carefully inspect the power receptacle on the laptop or tablet for damage. Check for broken/bent pins and bits of debris that might be preventing the computer from getting power and charging the battery.
Note: Aside from straitening a bent pin or cleaning out some dirt, you’ll probably need to seek the services of a professional computer repair service to correct any major problems you see here. Be sure to remove the laptop’s internal battery to avoid the risk of shock if you work on this yourself.
- Replace the computer’s power cable or AC adapter. On a desktop, this is the power cable that runs between the computer case and the power source. The AC adapter for a tablet or laptop is the cable that you plug into the wall to charge your battery (it usually has a tiny light on it).
A bad AC adapter is a common reason why tablets and laptops won’t turn on at all. Even if you don’t regularly use the power cable, if it has failed, it means that it hasn’t been charging your battery.
Desktop Tip: A bad power cable is not a common cause of a computer not receiving power but it does happen and is very easy to test for. You can use the one that’s powering your monitor (as long as it seems to be getting power), one from another computer, or a new one.
- Replace the CMOS battery, especially if your computer is more than a few years old or has spent a lot of time turned off or with the main battery removed. Believe it or not, a bad CMOS battery is a relatively common cause of a computer that looks like it’s not receiving power.
A new CMOS battery will cost you well under $10 USD and can be picked up just about anywhere that sells batteries.
- Make sure the power switch is connected to the motherboard if you’re using a desktop. This is not a very common point of failure, but your PC might not be turning on because the power button isn’t properly connected to the motherboard.
Tip: Most case switches are connected to the motherboard via a red and black twisted pair of wires. If these wires aren’t securely connected or aren’t connected at all, this is probably the cause of your computer not turning on. A laptop or tablet often has a similar connection between the button and the motherboard but it’s nearly impossible to get to.
- Test your power supply if you’re using a desktop PC. At this point in your troubleshooting, at least for you desktop folks, it’s very likely that the power supply unit in your computer is no longer working and should be replaced. You should, however, test it just to be sure. There’s no reason to replace a working piece of hardware when testing it is fairly easy.
Exception: An ozone smell or very high pitched noise, combined with no power at all in the computer, is an almost certain indication that the power supply is bad. Unplug your computer immediately and skip the testing.
Replace your power supply if it fails your testing or you experience the symptoms I just described. After replacement, keep the computer plugged in for 5 minutes before starting so the CMOS battery has time to recharge.
Important: In the majority of cases when a desktop computer isn’t receiving power, a nonworking power supply is to blame. I bring this up again to help stress that this troubleshooting step should not be skipped. The next few causes to consider aren’t nearly as common.
- Test the power button on the front of your computer’s case and replace it if it fails your testing. This goes for desktop computers only.
Tip: Depending on how your computer’s case is designed, you may be able to use the reset button in the meantime to power on your PC.
Tip: Some motherboards have tiny power buttons built into the boards themselves, providing an easier way to test the case’s power button. If your motherboard has this, and it works to power on your computer, the case power button probably needs to be replaced.
- Replace your motherboard if you’re using a desktop. If you’re confident that your wall power, power supply, and power button are working, it’s likely that there is a problem with your PC’s motherboard and it should be replaced.
Note: While perfectly doable by anyone with some patience, replacing a motherboard is rarely a quick, easy, or inexpensive task. Be sure you’ve exhausted all of the other troubleshooting advice I’ve given above before replacing your motherboard.
Note: I highly recommend that you test your computer with a Power On Self Test card to confirm that the motherboard is the cause of your computer not turning on at all.
Important: Replacing the motherboard is probably the right course of action at this point with a laptop or tablet as well, but motherboards in these types of computers are very rarely user replaceable. The next best course of action for you is to seek professional computer service.
Tips & More Information
- Are you troubleshooting this issue on a PC that you’ve just built yourself? If so, triple check your configuration! There is a decent chance that your computer isn’t powering on due to a misconfiguration and not an actual hardware failure.
- Did we miss a troubleshooting step that helped you (or might help someone else) fix a computer that’s not showing any sign of power? Let me know and I’d be happy to include the information here.
- Is your computer still showing no sign of power even after following the steps above? See Get More Help for information about contacting me on social networks or via email, posting on tech support forums, and more. Be sure to tell me what you’ve already done to try to fix the problem.
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