Your computer or laptop not turning on is the last thing you want, whether you’re working or chilling on Netflix. The whole thing can be panic-inducing since there are a lot of reasons for your PC not booting up. The good news is, your computer not turning on is not necessarily a death sentence for your PC. However, the bad news is that fixing the issue can get expensive depending on the problem.
While it can be complicated to fix a PC that refuses to boot, you can run a primary diagnosis to ascertain what might be causing the issue before taking it to a professional. Provided you’re a bit lucky, you can pinpoint the exact issue. Here are some basic tips and tricks on what to do when your PC refuses to boot.
Check Power Supply
The first thing you should do when your PC refuses to boot is to check the power supply. This tends to be the most common reason for computers not booting. Computers are very power-sensitive devices as, unlike laptops, they don’t run on batteries. This involves a couple of easy steps, as follows:
1. Check for Disconnected Power Cables
Power cables can easily get disconnected if the cables get pulled by accident. If you have pets or children at home, this is the first thing you should do.
2. Try a Different Power Source
Sometimes, it might not be your computer that’s the problem, but the power source to which the power cable is connected. Trying out a different power source might just do the trick.
3. Perform a Lamp Test
A lamp test is an easy and quick test that can easily determine if your computer is getting sufficient power to operate properly. The test is usually more accurate when performed with an electrical outlet with a multimeter.
4. Check Power Receptacle
A damaged power receptacle prevents power from flowing to your device, preventing it from turning on.
Check Your Monitor
The second thing you should do when your computer is not booting up is check your monitor. When your monitor doesn’t turn on, it’s easy to mistakenly assume that your PC is not powering up. But monitors can stop functioning for many reasons without anything going wrong with your computer’s hardware.
1. Check That the Cables Connecting to the PC Aren’t Loose
First, check if the monitor cables connecting to your PC haven’t gone loose or damaged. This is the most common reason for monitors failing to display when turning on your computer.
2. Try Connecting to Another Monitor
If you can connect to another monitor, even a TV, and see its contents, then your monitor needs replacing.
3. If Using a Laptop, Make Sure the Brightness Is Turned Up
Laptops come equipped with power-saving features that reduce power consumption by turning off or turning down certain features when at rest, including the screen brightness. It sounds silly, but make sure the brightness is turned up.
Check Your BIOS or UEFI Settings
The last thing you can do if your computer refuses to boot properly, is check your BIOS settings. But you should only carry on with this step if you have basic knowledge of BIOS commands and operations.
The first thing you should check in BIOS is whether your hard disk is booting your primary drive. Try resetting your BIOS settings to default as it often fixes the issue. If you’re not adept at navigating BIOS settings, then it’s best to call in a computer repair professional to diagnose and fix your PC. To find one near you, just type desktop repair shop near me on a search engine to get a list.
Knowing is Better than Not Knowing
Your computer not booting up can be very bad news depending on which hardware component broke down. But at the very least, you should try the basic diagnostic options to see if they work. Who knows, you might just get lucky.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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