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Laptop or computer won’t turn on? What to check first
You press the power button and nothing happens. Or the fan spins, but the screen stays black. Sometimes the cause is simple, and you can find it yourself in a few minutes. Here is what to check – in the right order.
What does it cost?
You always get a fixed price before we start. See the price for your exact model in the price finder.
Fixed price before we startNo payment online
Try this first
1. Check the power
Plug the charger straight into a wall socket you know works – not a power strip. Is there a light on the charger or next to the charging port? Try another charger if you have one. On a desktop PC, check that the cable is firmly in and that the switch on the back of the power supply is set to “I”.
2. Let the laptop charge for 30 minutes
If the battery is completely flat, it can take a while before the computer will start. Leave it charging for at least half an hour, then try again with the charger still plugged in.
3. Hold the power button for 15 seconds
Sometimes a computer gets stuck in a kind of sleep state. Hold the power button down for about 15 seconds, let go, wait a moment, then press it normally again.
4. Unplug everything
Remove USB sticks, external drives, docks, memory cards and extra monitors. A faulty device can stop the computer from starting.
5. Is it on, but the screen is black?
Look and listen: is the fan running? Does the keyboard or the Caps Lock light come on? Then the computer is on, and the problem is the screen or the graphics. Try connecting an external monitor or a TV. On Windows you can also press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B, which restarts the display driver.
What do the signs mean?
What the computer does – or doesn’t do – tells you a lot about where the fault is:
- Nothing at all: No lights, no sound. Usually the charger, charging port, battery or power supply. Less often the motherboard.
- Lights and fan, but a black screen: Often the screen, the screen cable, the graphics or the RAM.
- It starts and shuts off straight away: Could be the battery, overheating or the power supply.
- It beeps or flashes in a pattern: That’s an error code from the manufacturer. Write down the pattern – it helps the technician.
- It powers on, but Windows or macOS won’t load: Usually software or the hard drive/SSD. This is when you need to think about your files.
What not to do
- Don’t take the computer apart yourself. You can make the fault worse, and the battery can be damaged.
- Don’t charge a computer that is hot or bulging. If the bottom or the keyboard is bulging, the battery may be swollen. Stop charging. A device with a swollen battery must never be sent by post – bring it to one of our shops. See battery replacement.
- Don’t switch it on again after a spill. Unplug it and leave it off. Read about water damage.
- Don’t reset or format it if your files matter. Your data could be lost for good.
What about my files?
A computer that won’t turn on doesn’t necessarily mean your files are gone. The hard drive or SSD is often fine, even when the rest of the computer isn’t. Tell us before we start if your data is important. Read more about data recovery.
How to get help from ITech-Rep
- Walk in at one of our three shops – Hunderupvej 23 and Nørregade 71 in Odense, or Nørregade 8 in Nyborg. No appointment needed. See shops and opening hours.
- Book online so we’re ready when you arrive: book a time.
- Send it by post with Ship & Repair. Shipping is free both ways (not if the battery is swollen).
- A business? Our mobile workshop can come to you.
We repair laptops, desktop PCs and MacBooks – from chargers, charging ports and batteries to screens, keyboards and motherboard faults (micro-soldering). You get the price before we start. Troubleshooting a computer – laptop, MacBook or desktop – costs 625 DKK, and you only pay it if the computer can’t be repaired or you say no to the quote. See computer repair in Odense and Nyborg, or find the price for your model under prices.
Questions about a computer that won’t turn on
Why won’t my laptop turn on even when it’s plugged in?
Try another wall socket and, ideally, another charger. If no light comes on, it could be the charger, the charging port or the battery. Let it charge for 30 minutes and hold the power button for 15 seconds before you try again.
My computer turns on, but the screen is black – what’s wrong?
Connect an external monitor. If you get a picture there, it’s usually the screen or the screen cable. If not, it could be the graphics or the RAM. See diagnostics.
Will I lose my files if the computer needs repairing?
Always tell us before we start if your files are important. If the computer still starts, make a backup first. If it won’t start at all, read about data recovery.
Do I need to book an appointment?
No, you can walk straight in during opening hours. If you want to be sure we’re ready for you, book a time online.
Still won’t turn on? Book a time, call +45 52 70 70 28, or visit one of our shops in Odense and Nyborg.
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