Laptop will not turn on

A laptop that shows no lights and makes no sound is rarely as dead as it looks. In most cases one part has failed and the rest, including your files, is fine.

Likely causes

• Charger or charging socket. No power is reaching the laptop at all.
• Battery. A failed battery can stop some laptops starting even on mains power.
• Motherboard power fault. A short circuit or failed chip in the power section.
• Screen, not power. The laptop is running but the display is dark.

Try this first

1. Unplug the charger, hold the power button for 30 seconds, plug the charger back in and try again.
2. Check for any light on the laptop or the charger, and listen for a fan.
3. Shine a torch at the screen: a faint picture means the laptop is on and the screen has failed.

What it costs

A bench diagnostic is £54, deducted from the repair if you go ahead, and you get the price before any work starts. Motherboard repairs start from £135 + VAT. Send an enquiry, or see the price list.