My Computer Won't Turn On

A computer that won't turn on is one of the most alarming things that can happen — but in many cases the cause is simpler than you might think. Work through these steps before assuming the worst.

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Before You Start

Make sure you're actually pressing the power button and not another button nearby. On laptops in particular, the power button is sometimes easy to confuse with other keys or buttons.

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Step 1 — Check the Power

This is the most common cause of a computer appearing completely dead.

Desktop computers:

• Check the power cable is firmly plugged into both the computer and the wall socket
• Check the wall socket is working — plug something else in to test it
• If you're using a power board or surge protector, check it's switched on and hasn't tripped
• Check the power switch on the back of the computer tower is in the ON position (marked I, not O)

Laptops:

• Plug in your charger and wait 5 minutes before trying to turn it on — the battery may be completely flat
• Check the charger cable is firmly connected at both the laptop end and the wall end
• Try a different wall socket
• Check the charging light on the laptop — if no light appears when plugged in, your charger or charging port may be faulty

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Step 2 — Check the Monitor (Desktop Only)

If your desktop computer appears to turn on — fans spin, lights come on — but the screen is black, the issue may be with your monitor rather than the computer itself.

• Check the monitor is plugged in and switched on
• Check the cable connecting your monitor to your computer is firmly plugged in at both ends
• Try pressing the monitor's power button
• Check the monitor's input source is set correctly — press the input/source button on the monitor and make sure it matches the cable you're using (HDMI, DisplayPort etc.)
• Try a different cable if you have one available

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Step 3 — Listen and Look for Signs of Life

When you press the power button, pay attention to what happens:

Nothing at all — no lights, no sounds, no fan: This usually points to a power issue — go back to Step 1 and double check everything.

Lights come on but screen stays black: The computer is receiving power but not booting. Try Step 4.

Fans spin and then stop immediately: Could be a hardware fault — skip to the When to Contact LanClub section.

You hear beeping sounds: Your computer's BIOS is giving an error code. Note how many beeps and in what pattern and include this when you contact us.

The computer starts but gets stuck on a screen: See Step 5.

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Step 4 — Perform a Hard Reset

If the computer appears to have power but won't boot, a hard reset can sometimes resolve the issue.

Laptop:

1. Hold the power button down for 10 seconds until the laptop turns off completely
2. Unplug the charger
3. If your laptop has a removable battery, remove it and wait 30 seconds before reinserting it
4. Plug the charger back in
5. Press the power button normally to start

Desktop:

1. Hold the power button down for 10 seconds until the computer turns off
2. Unplug the power cable from the wall
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Plug the power cable back in
5. Press the power button normally to start

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Step 5 — If the Computer Starts but Gets Stuck

If your computer turns on but gets stuck before reaching the desktop — for example it freezes on the manufacturer's logo or the Windows loading screen — try the following:

Windows — Startup Repair:

1. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force it off
2. Press the power button to start again
3. As soon as you see the manufacturer's logo, hold the power button again to force it off
4. Repeat this 2–3 times — Windows should automatically enter Startup Repair mode
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to attempt a repair

Mac — Safe Mode:

1. Hold the power button until the startup options appear
2. Select your startup disk
3. Hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode
4. If it boots in Safe Mode, restart normally and see if the issue is resolved

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Step 6 — Check for Overheating

If your computer was running and then suddenly turned off and won't restart, it may have shut down due to overheating.

• Feel the bottom of your laptop or the back of your desktop — is it very hot?
• Make sure the vents aren't blocked — laptops should never be used on soft surfaces like beds or cushions that block the vents
• If it feels very hot, leave it turned off for 30 minutes to cool down before trying again
• Dust buildup inside the computer can cause overheating — if your computer is old and has never been cleaned, this may be the cause

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When to Contact LanClub

If you've worked through all of the above and your computer still won't turn on, it's time to get us involved. Submit a ticket at https://help.lanclub.nz or email help@lanclub.nz with:

• Whether the computer is a desktop or laptop
• What happens when you press the power button — lights, sounds, beeps
• How long the problem has been happening
• Whether anything happened before it stopped working — power outage, spill, drop, or it just stopped working on its own
• What steps you've already tried

If you can't access your computer to submit a ticket, use your phone to email us at help@lanclub.nz or call us on +64 22 573 3469.

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Could it Be Hardware?

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there's a good chance it's a hardware problem. Common hardware failures that cause a computer not to turn on include:

• Failed power supply (desktop) — the component that converts mains power to computer power
• Faulty charging port or charger (laptop)
• Dead battery (laptop) — batteries have a limited lifespan and eventually stop holding charge
• Failed motherboard — the main circuit board of the computer
• Loose internal component — a RAM stick or cable that has come loose

We can help diagnose hardware issues remotely where possible, and advise whether repair or replacement is the most cost-effective option for your situation.

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Quick Reference Checklist

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Questions?

If your computer won't turn on and you're not sure what to do next, call us on +64 22 573 3469, email help@lanclub.nz, or submit a ticket from another device at https://help.lanclub.nz and we'll help you get it sorted.