There are many reasons why your computer may not turn on or does unusual things when you attempt to turn it on. Let’s go over some troubleshooting steps for correcting the problem as well as some common causes.
When I press the power button no lights turn on. This is usually an indication of a power issue. The first step you should take is check all the physical power connections. If possible, move the computer to a different electrical socket. If this doesn’t resolve the issue there may be a power delivery issue inside of your computer and it will likely need to be repaired or replaced.
When I press the power button the power light comes on, but it blinks, or goes back off. In this case, an internal component has probably malfunctioned. Try unplugging the computer from the power and hold the power button for 30 seconds. This clears out any error codes and will sometimes resolve the issue.If you plug it back in and it still acts up, it is time for a little more research. Most manufacturers have an error code sheet available on their support page. These error sheets will tell you what is going on based on various factors. For instance, if the power light blinks continuously, this could mean the memory is bad; or if it blinks 3 times and goes out, it could indicate a bad graphics card.Before attempting to work on your computer’s hardware yourself always check the manufacturers’ manual, consult with your IT company or a professional who can address the problem without damaging it.
When I press the power button the computer beeps at me. This is an error code. Companies use these beep codes to tell the technician which part is not functioning correctly. You can consult the manufacturers’ website to find the error code chart for your computer model. Beep codes are common with most older machines and rarely used on newer computers.
What caused my computer to stop turning on? There are a great number of reasons why your computer could have stopped working. A few common problems we see are heat, power surges, and age-related hardware failure.
- Heat is one of the biggest killers of electronic devices. Your computer should be in a well-ventilated area; preferably off the floor where dust tends to accumulate and clog fans. We have seen many computers die prematurely because they were kept in an unventilated drawer on a desk or in a tight spot that restricted its airflow.
- Power Surges are another common killer of electronics. This is why we recommend you use a power surge protector for all of your devices. A good surge protector is the cheapest form of insurance you can get for your device. It can even help extend the life of your devices. Find out more.
- Age-Related Hardware Failure is inevitable. Sadly, nothing last forever, and computers are no exception. Most manufacturers will offer 3-5 year warranties on business class devices because that is their expected life span. The life span for consumer-grade devices is considerably less.
Conclusion
There are a wide variety of reasons your pc may not respond when you press the button. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of some common causes for a computer malfunction, and you may have even learned a few ways to extend their electronic lives!
Call Sawyer Solutions today to connect with IT specialists who can help you take great care of your electronic and data assets.