A laptop or desktop that will not switch on is one of the most worrying computer problems. There is no picture, no usual start-up sound, and it is hard to tell whether the fault is simple or more serious. Computer Assistance has helped home users in Oxford with this since 1996. Bring the machine to our shop at 154 Oxford Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2EB, or call 01865 451177.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 10am to 12:30pm. We are closed on Sundays. If you are unsure about dropping in today, telephone first.

Quick checks you can try at home

These steps will not fix every fault, but they are safe to try and often tell us something useful if you do bring the machine in.

• Confirm the charger or mains lead is firmly connected at both ends, and try a different wall socket. A socket that has tripped or is switched off is an easy thing to miss.
• Look at the charger brick and the laptop socket. A small light on many chargers shows that power is reaching the cable. If that light is off, the charger itself may have failed.
• Hold the power button down for about 15 to 20 seconds, then try a normal press. This can clear a machine that has stalled rather than completely failed.
• On a desktop, check that the switch on the back of the power supply is set to on, and that the monitor is powered too. A “dead” computer is sometimes a working computer with a dark screen.
• Listen and look closely when you press the power button. A faint fan, a light, or a single click is worth telling us about. So is a completely silent, dark machine.
• If you spilled liquid on it, or it has been dropped, do not keep trying to force it on. Bring it in as it is, and tell us what happened.

If none of this brings the machine to life, stop and let us take a look rather than guessing with spare parts.

When to bring it in

Bring the computer to the Cowley shop if it stays completely dark, if it starts and then cuts out, or if you only get a logo or a black screen and nothing more. Bring the charger, any spare leads, and the password if you have one. If the machine is a desktop, bring the main box and, if you can, the monitor and power cables, so we can see the whole setup.

You do not need to decide in advance what the fault is. A charger, battery, power socket, memory, storage drive or main board can all produce the same “won’t turn on” symptom. We would rather see the machine than have you order parts that may not be the cause.

If you cannot get to Cowley easily, call 01865 451177 and we can talk through collection.

What we do when you arrive

We will look at the machine, talk through what you have already noticed, and explain what we find. That might be a failed charger, or it may need a closer look inside the case. We will tell you what we recommend, and you can decide whether to go ahead. We work on Windows PCs, laptops and Apple Macs.

Computer Assistance is a walk-in computer repair shop for home users, and we have been in Oxford since 1996. The shop is at 154 Oxford Road, Cowley, with free parking outside. If your laptop or computer will not turn on, bring it in during opening hours, or telephone 01865 451177 and tell us what you are seeing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an appointment if my laptop won’t turn on?

No. You can bring it to 154 Oxford Road, Cowley, during opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 10am to 12:30pm (closed Sundays). If you would rather talk first, call 01865 451177.

Could it just be the charger?

Yes, sometimes. A failed charger or lead can make a laptop look completely dead. Try a different socket and check any light on the charger, then bring the machine and its charger to us if it still will not start. We can check the charger as well as the computer.

Do you look at Macs as well as Windows PCs?

Yes. We work on Windows laptops and desktops and on Apple Mac and MacBook computers. Bring the machine and its power supply, and tell us anything you have already noticed — lights, sounds, a drop, or a spill.

Should I keep pressing the power button?

A single long press, then a normal press, is a useful check. If the machine stays dark after that, stop and bring it in. Repeated attempts are unlikely to help and, if there has been liquid damage, can make things worse.

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