How to Fix an Acer Laptop That Won't Turn On in a Few Steps

For example, suppose you see a black screen instead of a usual image with an Acer logo. And although the indicators are lit, all attempts to turn on the device do not bring any results.

The first thing you should do is check whether the laptop's battery is sufficiently charged. To do this, connect the charger, and leave the tech alone for about 30 minutes. Then try to turn it on again. If the problem does not disappear, you should take the following simple steps to fix the issue.

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Step 1: Reset Hardware Settings

The first thing to do is to turn the device off, unplug it, then remove its power source. After that, you must remove all residual charges and reset all hardware settings to the original level. Firstly press the power button on the laptop and hold it for 25-30 seconds.

After that, you should insert the battery back into the laptop, connect the charger and turn on the computer. Finally, you will only have to find and choose from the proposed list to boot the operating system in normal mode. This procedure can be performed due to the keys with up and down arrows.

Step 2: Check the RAM

If the previous method didn't help, disconnect your laptop, and remove the battery and charger. Turn the tech over, look for the lid on the back of the device, and use a small screwdriver to remove it. The lid should only be available in one piece, so it should be easy to find. Then, under the cover, find the RAM.

Carefully remove the RAM from its slot without putting excessive physical stress on it. Then set the removed board aside. After 5 minutes, install the RAM in a different slot from the one from which it was drawn. If there are several cards, swap them as well. Then reassemble the laptop and turn the device on.

Suppose you are not ready for such a severe technical intervention. In that case, you can get support regarding troubleshooting for Acer laptop with the help of experts from consulting service Howly. These specialists have a lot of experience that allows them to solve users' problems even remotely effectively.

Step 3: Software Reset BIOS Settings

If your laptop hangs on a black screen while booting, it's time to enter the BIOS menu. To do that, press the F9 button while restarting/starting the device (it may be another key, depending on the laptop model).

After that, you must find and activate the "Reset to factory settings" command. However, note that this option may have different names, which depend only on the laptop model: Load BIOS Setup Defaults, Load Failsafe Default, or Load Safe-Fail Default. Finally, you should press F10 and Enter to save your changes.

Step 4: Hardware Reset BIOS Settings

A hardware BIOS reset is recommended if the above methods do not help or your laptop shows no signs of life. A hardware BIOS reset, also known as a CMOS reset or hard reset, is the process of clearing basic input/output system (BIOS) settings to their defaults. The BIOS is the firmware stored on the computer's motherboard that controls the computer's starting process, including initializing the hardware and booting the operating system.

Over time, BIOS settings can become corrupted, causing problems such as your computer not booting, freezing, or not recognizing hardware devices. A hardware BIOS reset can correct these problems by restoring the factory default BIOS settings. So first, locate the CMOS battery on the computer's motherboard to perform a hardware BIOS reset.

The CMOS battery is a small, round battery that powers the BIOS chip and saves its settings when the computer is turned off. To reset the BIOS, remove the CMOS battery from its slot and wait a few minutes before replacing it. After that, it will clear the BIOS settings and restore them to their defaults.

Before performing a hardware BIOS reset, you should know this step may have some consequences. For example, it can cause you to lose user settings, such as date and time, boot order, and security settings. Therefore, after performing a hardware BIOS reset, you may need to reconfigure the BIOS settings to match your preferences.

In addition to removing the CMOS battery, some motherboards have a hardware reset jumper or button that can be used to reset the BIOS settings. However, the location of the reset jumper or button can vary depending on the motherboard, so it's essential to consult the motherboard manual before attempting a hardware BIOS reset.

Step 5: Seek Professional Help

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If none of the above has helped, it may be time to seek professional help. For example, the problem may lie in your laptop's motherboard, which you can fix only with the help of an experienced expert. Therefore, the best solution in this situation would be to contact Acer support or Howly consulting service to get the needed assistance from the comfort of your home.

Summing Up

If your Acer laptop doesn't turn on, don't panic. Instead, you can take the five simple steps to diagnose and fix the problem. First, check the power source and ensure that your laptop is plugged in correctly and that the power adapter is working properly. Then, if that's not the problem, check the battery, power connector, RAM, and hard drive.

Finally, if nothing helps, try a BIOS reset or seek professional help. Taking proper care of your laptop is essential to prevent such problems. For example, regularly cleaning the laptop's fans and vents, avoiding placing the laptop on soft surfaces, and being careful when transporting the computer will help prevent severe tech damage.

With some troubleshooting, you can fix your Acer laptop by yourself. However, if you're unsure of your abilities or don't understand some of the steps above, it's best to get professional help to avoid further damage to your laptop.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 12 June 2023