How to Fix a Computer That Won’t Turn On

At GZM Enterprises, we troubleshoot devices for clients daily. Below are the most common causes and the steps you can try before scheduling an appointment.

This may seem obvious, but it’s the #1 reason desktops don’t turn on.

For desktops:

• Make sure the power cable is fully plugged into the tower
   
• Check the outlet by plugging in another device
   
• Confirm the power strip is turned ON
   
• If your PSU has a switch, make sure it’s flipped to “I” (not “O”)
   

For laptops:

• Try another outlet
   
• Check that the charger light is turning on
   
• Ensure the charging brick isn’t loose
   

Sometimes devices don’t respond because they’re stuck in a “sleep” or “hibernate” error.

Press and hold the power button for a full 10–15 seconds to force a shutdown, then press it again normally.

This alone often solves the issue.

Faulty accessories can prevent startup.

Unplug everything except power:

• USB drives
   
• External hard drives
   
• Printers
   
• Keyboard/mouse (if desktop is unresponsive)
   
• HDMI cables
   

Then try powering on again.

If your laptop only turns on with the charger:

• The battery may be dead
   
• A swollen battery may prevent boot
   
• The charging port could be loose
   

Try removing the battery (if removable), then boot with the charger only.

Computers often “communicate” errors:

Each beep pattern means something specific (RAM issue, GPU issue, etc.).

Often a sign of:

• Display not waking
   
• Loose RAM
   
• Loose internal cable
   

These require deeper troubleshooting.

Loose RAM is extremely common.

Only do this if you're comfortable opening the case.

1. Power off & unplug
    
2. Open side panel
    
3. Push RAM sticks firmly into place
    
4. Close case and try booting
    

(If unsure, book an appointment — we handle hardware safely.)

Some models require removing all power sources.

General method:

1. Turn off laptop
    
2. Unplug charger
    
3. Remove battery (if removable)
    
4. Hold power button for 15–20 seconds
    
5. Reconnect charger and try turning on
    

Each brand varies, but this works for many devices.

Your computer may actually be ON, but the screen is not displaying.

Try:

• Plugging into a different monitor
   
• Switching HDMI/DisplayPort cables
   
• Increasing brightness on laptops
   
• Checking if the display is set to the wrong output
   

Common scenario:
Laptops connected to TVs sometimes think the TV is the primary display.

If your computer previously shut down randomly or smelled hot:

It may be caused by:

• Failing power supply
   
• Overheating CPU
   
• Dust buildup
   

This requires professional help.

If these steps don’t fix it, the issue might be:

• Dead power supply
   
• Faulty RAM
   
• Motherboard failure
   
• Bad charging port
   
• Failing hard drive
   
• Corrupted system files
   

We can diagnose and repair these issues quickly.

We offer:

• Remote troubleshooting
   
• Onsite diagnostics
   
• Hardware evaluation
   
• Laptop & desktop repair
   
• Data recovery support
   
• System optimization
   

Book an appointment through our Appointment page anytime.

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