By The KTech team · Published 14 November 2026
A laptop that won't turn on usually has a simple cause, such as a flat battery, a faulty charger or a socket problem, and most of these can be checked in a few minutes at home. KTechnology Solutions sees laptops like this across Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth and the wider South Hams, and our computer and laptop repair team helps when the simple checks do not bring the machine back.
This guide walks through the checks in a sensible order, explains what the lights, fans and sounds tell you, and sets out when to stop and bring the laptop to our workshop in East Charleton. Working through these steps first saves time and stops you making the fault worse.
Does the laptop have any power at all?
Start by checking whether the laptop is getting any power. Look for a charging light on the power brick or near the port, and listen for a fan or a short start-up noise when you press the power button. A laptop that shows no sign of life at all points to the power supply, the battery or the charger.
Leave it on charge for a good while, around half an hour, before you try again, because a fully drained battery can take time to show any sign of life. If the power light comes on but the screen stays dark, the fault is more likely the display than the power.
Are the charger and the socket working?
Chargers are a common cause of a dead laptop, so test the socket with another device before blaming the laptop itself. Check the cable for fraying and kinks near the plugs, and make sure the plug is fully seated at both ends with the wall switch turned on.
Using a charger with the wrong rating can also cause problems, so use the original adaptor or one that matches the label on the brick.
- Try a different wall socket and confirm it works with a lamp or phone charger.
- Look for a light on the power brick, and note whether it changes when plugged in.
- Check the charging port for lint, dust or bent pins before you plug in again.
- Use the original adaptor, or one with the same voltage and wattage printed on the label.
Will a hard reset help a laptop that won't start?
A hard reset cuts all power to the laptop and clears a stuck state, which fixes some freezes and failed start-ups. Unplug the charger, remove the battery if it can be removed safely, then hold the power button for around 15 to 30 seconds before reconnecting and trying again.
If the laptop starts after a reset, save your work and look at what changed, such as a recent update or new hardware. A laptop that keeps shutting down or restarting may have a battery nearing the end of its life, and that deserves a proper check rather than repeated resets.
Can an external monitor show me where the fault is?
If the laptop seems to start but the screen stays black, connect it to an external monitor or TV using HDMI or USB-C. If a picture appears on the external display, the laptop is running and the fault is most likely the built-in screen or its cable, which is a repair job rather than a lost machine.
If nothing appears on the external screen either, the fault is more likely the motherboard, memory or power board, and that calls for workshop diagnosis. Note any beep codes, fan noise or flashing lights, because they help a technician narrow down the cause quickly. Our laptop screen repair guide for Devon explains the options if the panel is the problem.
What signs point to liquid or physical damage?
A spilled drink, a dropped laptop or a case that has been squeezed can stop a laptop starting even when the charger and socket are fine. Look for a sticky keyboard, a smell of burnt electronics, a bulging battery, a loose hinge or a crack along the case.
Liquid can keep corroding circuits after the surface has dried, so switch it off, unplug it and leave it alone. Drying it with a hair dryer or a heater can cause more damage, and it is better to bring it in.
When should I stop and bring the laptop in?
Stop troubleshooting when the checks have not brought the laptop back, when there is any sign of liquid or a swollen battery, or when it starts but behaves erratically. Bringing it to us early often keeps the repair simpler and gives your data a better chance.
Our workshop at Springfield Farm Shop in East Charleton, near Kingsbridge, handles laptops from across the South Hams, and we explain what we find before any work starts. Before you hand it in, back up anything you can reach, and note the fault and any recent changes. Use the contact page if you would like to arrange a drop-off.
- No lights or fan activity after the checks above.
- A bulging battery, a burning smell or heat coming from the case.
- Any sign of liquid, even if it has dried.
- Repeated restarts or shutdowns during light use.
- Beeps or error messages that a reset does not clear.