Are you having a problem starting up your laptop? Is it not turning on when you press the power button? If so, here is what to do if your laptop does not start.
If you're reading this, chances are your laptop is not starting up. Don't worry; you're not alone. Laptop startup issues are common and can be caused by various reasons. In this blog post, we'll discuss the steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Disconnect external devices
If your laptop is not starting up, it could be due to an external device connected to it that has failed. Disconnect all external devices, including USB drives, external hard drives, and printers. Try booting up your laptop again and see if it works.
Check the AC jack
When you plug in the AC adapter, does it make a solid connection with the jack? Does it wiggle back and forth when you plug it in? If it does, try holding it to one side or the other and see if your laptop powers on. If your laptop powers up, then you will need to have the AC jack replaced.
Check the power source
A failed power adapter is the most common cause of a laptop not powering on. What usually happens is that the power adapter's output will gradually diminish over time, eventually not having enough power to run the laptop and charge the battery.
When the output from the charger drops below a certain level, the laptop will draw power from the battery. When the battery runs out of power, your laptop will not start. If you have a spare laptop charger, now is the time to try it.
If you keep your AC adapter plugged in all the time and it is over three years old, you may need to replace it. If it is the original charger that came with your laptop, there should be a model number on it that you can use to order a new one.
Check the battery
Note: The following procedures require disassembling your laptop computer. If you do not feel comfortable taking your laptop apart, don't hesitate to contact a local computer repair technician.
If you find the AC charger to be in good working order, then it is time to check the battery. On most laptops, you will need to partially disassemble it to gain access to the battery. Most of the time, it means you have to remove the base cover (bottom).
To determine the correct way to disassemble your system, you will need to locate a service manual for it. A quick Google search for the make and model of your laptop, combined with 'service manual', should yield a service manual. For example: Dell XPS 8950 service manual.
Once you have a service manual, grab your smartphone or digital camera to take photos as you work through it. The manual will show you how to disassemble your laptop, but it does not provide the wire colors, actual screw locations, etc. Taking photos as you disassemble your system makes it much easier to reassemble.
Now that you have the base cover off, you will need to disconnect the battery. To determine if the battery is causing the problem, try starting the laptop with the battery disconnected, using only the AC adapter.
First, we need to discharge any residual electrical charge that may remain in the system. With the battery disconnected, press and hold the power button for 15-30 seconds. Once done, you can connect the AC adapter and attempt to start your laptop without the battery.
Starting your laptop without the base cover can be tricky, since you have the AC adapter plugged in and need to be able to press the power button. With the base cover removed, swing the base up so it is 90 degrees from the display. Depending on the location of the power button and power jack, you will need to either place your laptop on the left side, right side, or the back of the display.
Once you have set up your laptop, go ahead and try powering it on. If it does start, let it start up and then shut it down carefully. Disconnect the AC adapter, reconnect the battery, reconnect the AC adapter, and try to start it up. If your laptop starts, it just needed a power reset to bring it back to life. Shut it down and reassemble it per the service manual.
If your laptop starts using just the AC adapter but not with the battery connected, you know the battery has failed and needs to be replaced. You can temporarily run your laptop without the battery connected, but you may need to set the date and time when you start the computer.
Reseat the components
If your laptop did not start up using just the AC adapter, disconnect the AC adapter and press and hold the power button for 15-30 seconds to discharge any residual power left in the laptop.
Following the service manual, reseat the removable and reconnectable components. (drives, memory modules, and wifi card). After reseating the components, try powering up your laptop using only the AC adapter.
If your laptop still won't start up, check for any signs of power reaching the motherboard. Are there any lights that turn on? Do any fans move when you press the power button? If not, there is a good chance that the motherboard has failed.
In conclusion, laptop startup issues can be frustrating but are often resolvable. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. If, after following the steps outlined in this blog, your laptop still does not start, you may need to seek help from a computer repair technician.