Troubleshooting a PC That Won't Turn On

For this video, GN's Steve is joined by Hardware Editor Patrick Stone to discuss basic PC troubleshooting tips. We try to address the common "my PC won't turn on!" question, providing a few simple steps to remedy the issue.

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[jb]

My first questions when troubleshooting a computer that won't do anything:
1. Is it plugged in?
2. Is the PSU's on/off switch set to off?
3. Is the PSU set to the proper voltage?

[tazikov]

Saved me from selling my computer as it was and the whole problem was the display port and CPU power connector

[TheRealEZOverdose]

nice basic info. you guys compliment each other well for these videos. you should do a part 2 of this covering more advanced diagnosing methods like jumping the psu to confirm its not dead. as well as the motherboard to rule out a faulty power button/connection. also the basic use a multi meter to check for power output at the ends of the psu 4/6/8/24 pin connectors to verify the rails are actually delivering power. since jumping it will show you the if the fan spins up but that doesnt mean the psu isnt faulty in another way

[nandoGdog]

How about diagnosing a dead motherboard or cpu?

[devintague]

Another tip - check motherboard standoffs between the case and screw holes of the motherboard. ANY contact between the case and bottom of motherboard will prevent a boot!

[mrs]

My son just built his gaming computer last night and when he went to boot it nothing turned on. The only light on was where the motherboard is. No fans nothing. He's using a Corsair 750D airflow case. Could the problem be the case?

[VVhawks]

I watched 4 videos and nothing helped. I watched the first 1:20 of this vid and my PC is back on! GPU was loose, y'all the best ❤

[kylerbest]

I know my psu works for sure, but I have everything hooked up properly and plugged in well, the computer does nothing when I hit the power button. Could it be my motherboard?

[timothywang]

I finished building my pc but it just starts up and turns of in like 10 seconds

[sadesemolu]

Thanks guys. You on the dot with my issue. Didn't secure the RAM correctly.

[ryry]

I got a new cpu a new motherboard and 4 different power supplys which all work. And the pc will not power on there is just a small click. I have no clue what is wrong.

[_oriTech_]

hope someone can help... changed my mobo on my older rig... and if i turned on the pc, the cpu fan just spinning 1 sec and than nothing. ive changed my psu and same thing happened again. what can i do? my old mobo was defect (the pcie slot) on board stuff is working. build in my cpu in the old mobo and it works fine. is there anything i can do instead of sending back my new mobo? best regards

[kaniapw]

Video still helpful, it was CPU Power Connector in my case - thanks!

[KainCarthyst]

Built a pc from scratch, click it on, stays on for 3 seconds than turns off.
I have a computer I just built then took apart then rebuilt and every time I test it, it does not stay on for more than 5 seconds.. Plz Help!!
One potential thing is my case has 1 built in fan in the back.
Please this is my first pc build, I have been saving for 5 years. I need help.

[knowme]

I was freaking out because my fans and pc weren’t working, turns out none of them were on.

[RetroGameDungeon]

I was getting a Debug code D2 For PCH initialization error, on my Gigabyte-Z97X Gaming G1 motherboard, and I believe I narrowed it down to being something with the Fast boot feature within the Gigabyte ApCenter software. I had to disable fast boot.

[kyoza]

I only had my pc for 2 and a half months and it stopped turning on. My pc had no sound then it wouldn't turn on.... what do I do?? I checked all the power cords and everything. It still wont turn on

[Thatguystudios]

Whenever I try to turn it on nothing happens

[cariyaputta]

First time I build the PC, fan spinning and I couldn't hear and see any sound nor post, I was freaked out, I decided to recheck all components and found the simple solution: re-put my ram. The PC didn't peep because I've forgotten to connect chassis speaker, and it didn't boot/post because my ram is not secure enough in the slot.

[gadderbug]

The lites on my case light up showing there is power but nothing does anything, the fans don't spin and the ram doesn't light up