Article Number: 000125609
This video is a great starting point to help identify which of the following sections you should use to troubleshoot further:
Duration: 01:21
Closed captions: English only
Computers have a power indicator LED that glows when it is receiving power.
On Desktops, the front panel of the computer case has LED near the power button.
Try the following steps to resolve a desktop not-powering situation (There are more detailed instructions in the troubleshooting link below.):
Problem Description | Suggested Resolution |
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The computer is either turned off or not receiving power. |
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If you have identified a No Power issue? You can find out more information and troubleshooting help on this issue by using the article that is linked below:
Here is a quick video that covers all the reasons why your desktop is not starting up.
Duration: 01:15
Closed captions: English only
On laptops, the indicator that power is reaching the system can be a lit LED power button. Alternatively, it may be an LED located in the upper part of the keyboard or along the front edge of the computer itself.
Try the following steps to resolve a laptop no power situation:
Ensure that the battery is fully charged.
Remove the battery and disconnect the AC Adapter; Hold the power button down for 15 - 20 seconds to discharge the Static Electricity.
Reseat the battery on the Notebook and power it on.
Remove the Battery from the Notebook and power it on using only the AC Adapter.
Here is a quick video that covers the reasons why your notebook is not starting up.
Duration: 01:46
Closed captions: English only
Once you have identified a No Power issue, you can find out more information and troubleshooting help by checking out the articles that are linked below:
M-BIST - Built-in Motherboard Self-Test tool |
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Evaluates the health of the motherboard |
M-BIST is designed to operate even if there is no video, no fan, or no hard drive spin-up (new mainboard diagnostic). These symptoms are typically described as No Power, No Video, or Dead System. |
Press and hold the M key and the Power button down simultaneously:
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The term POST refers to Power-On Self-Test, which is a series of checks the computer goes through whenever it starts. If the computer fails any of these tests, it stops the start-up process and report a fault. Troubleshooting across Desktops, All-in-One PCs and Notebooks use the same procedures, but different reference material.
Indications of a failed POST include:
For information about running and using the ePSA Diagnostics, please check out our:
Indications of a failed POST include:
For information about running and using the ePSA Diagnostics, please check out our:
If you are looking for more information and troubleshooting help to continue resolving this issue, you can use the article that is linked below:
After the computer completes the Power-On Self-Test, it will attempt to boot the operating system.
If the computer advances past the Dell logo screen and then hangs up attempting to load the operating system? It is most likely a No Boot issue. Troubleshooting this issue uses the same procedures across Desktops, All-in-One PCs, and Notebooks.
Follow the Video Guide Below.
Duration: 01:46
Closed captions: English only
To rule out any hardware problems, you should run the built-in ePSA diagnostics.
Most No Boot issues come down to operating system issues. Choose the article appropriate to your Operating System (OS) and troubleshoot this further:
If the system is reporting a specific fault onscreen about the Hard Disk Drive, then you can Troubleshoot further on one of the links below:
If the power indications are normal, but there is never any video that is seen on the computer's display during the startup process? This probably indicates a No Video issue.
Troubleshooting a No Video issue:
Problem Description | Suggested Resolution |
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The desktop computer is in a normal on condition. The diagnostic lights are not lit after the computer successfully boots to the operating system but there is no display showing. |
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Duration: 01:46
Closed captions: English only
If they look fine, but you want to test more? You can respond to the video test by pressing the letter <N> and ePSA will then launch the LCD BIST test. If you have a no video issue? You can either run the <Fn+Power> keyboard shortcut to enter the ePSAs or <D+Power> keyboard shortcut to run the LCD BIST from POST.
Duration: 00:24
Closed captions: English only
M-BIST - Built-in Motherboard Self-Test tool | L-BIST - Built-in LCD Power Rail Self-Test tool. |
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Evaluates the health of the motherboard | Checks if the motherboard supplies power to the LCD. |
M-BIST is designed to operate even if there is no video, no fan, or no hard drive spin-up (new mainboard diagnostic). These symptoms are typically described as No Power, No Video, or Dead System. | L-BIST is designed to test when seeing the symptom of No Video. |
Press and hold the M key and the Power button down simultaneously:
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Press and hold the Power button down:
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The RTCRST jumper allows you to clear NVRAM. The NVRAM is cleared when the jumper is closed. (You can use the jumper from the password bridge.) Remember that it is always best practice to remove the power cord from the PC before opening the lid or access panel and going inside. To clear the CMOS, AC power must be applied to the system for about 10 seconds while the jumper is closed. (This does not necessarily mean turning the computer on, putting power across the motherboard is enough.) Visit Clearing CMOS via removing and reseating the CMOS battery for visual guides to this process.
Pins 1-2 shorted clears NVRAM
Disconnect the external power from the PC.
Remove the computer cover.
Locate the 2-pin password connector (PSWD) on the system board.
Remove the 2-pin jumper plug.
Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper (RTCRST) on the system board.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug from the PSWD pins onto the RTCRST pins for approximately 5 secs.
Return the 2-pin jumper plug to the PSWD pins.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect your computer to main power again, and turn it on.
These 4 (four) issues are the most common reasons why you would be troubleshooting a problem outside of your Operating System.
They break down into 3 (three) outcomes:
You identify a hardware issue that reseating does not resolve and contact us to arrange a repair.
You identify a software issue and either resolve the issue or contact us for a resolution.
Duration: 01:36
Closed captions: English only
Duration: 002:22
Closed captions: English only
Going through the troubleshooting results in fixing the fault, without a clear reason why.
Out of warranty? No problem. Browse to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.
Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Retired Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Retired Models, Fixed Workstations
02 Jun 2021
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Solution