FIX: PC Turns On But no Display on Screen.

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If your computer turns on but nothing appears on the screen, follow the methods in this guide to troubleshoot the problem.

One of the most frustrating problems with a computer is when it turns on but nothing appears on the monitor. For example you see the lights on the computer case, you here the noise from the fan but the screen is black. If you are in such a situation, follow the steps below to resolve the problem.

How to FIX: The computer turns on but nothing appears on the screen.

Step 1. Check the Video Cable (Desktops Only).*

First of all, check the cable connection between your computer and your monitor and make sure that you have connected the monitor’s signal cable to the correct output of your graphics card. If you have a dedicated (removable) graphics card, make sure you connect the video cable to it and not to the output of the onboard graphics card.

* Note: This step can be applied only in desktop PC’s.

Step 2. Reset the Graphics Card Drivers.

Windows 10 and later versions offer a quick way to restart/reset the graphics driver using a keyboard shortcut. So, the easy way to fix the black screen problem after turning on your computer is to restart the graphics card. To do this:

• Turn on your computer, wait 15-20 seconds, and then press the Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B keys simultaneously.

Step 3. Perform a Hard Reset.

Sometimes, static electricity in the computer can prevent it from starting. To eliminate the problem, remove the remaining power by doing the following:

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Remove the Power Cable. (For laptops, remove also the battery if you can.)

3. Press and hold down the Power button for 15-20 seconds. (For laptops with an internal battery, press once the Power button to turn on the laptop and then press again and hold down the power button for 15-20 seconds)

4. Reconnected the power cable. *

* Note: For laptops with a removable battery, leave the battery disconnected at this point and connect it only if the problem is solved. This will allow you to verify if the battery is causing the problem.

5. Turn on the computer.

Step 4. Reseat the RAM Modules.

The next step to fix the “no signal on screen after turning on the computer” issue, is to remove and reinsert the Memory (RAM) Module(s).*

* Notes:

1. This and the following steps require some technical skills because you have to open the computer cover and carefully make changes to the hardware. If you are not comfortable with hardware changes, ask a professional for help.
2. Always ensure your computer is off and unplugged before attempting to physically handle any internal components.

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect the power cable and all other cables. (For laptops, remove also the battery if you can).

3. Open the computer cover.

4. Locate the Memory Module(s).

5. Remove carefully the Memory Module(s) and then reseat them back in their position.*

6. Reconnect the power cable and all other cables.

7. Turn on the computer.

* Note: If you have more than one memory module, eg two (2) modules, try to see if installing just one or the other of them solves the problem.

Step 5. Reseat the Graphics Card. (Desktops Only).*

The next step to resolve the mentioned issue is to remove and reseat the graphics card (GPU).

* Note: This step can only be applied on desktop computers with a dedicated (removable) graphics card.

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect the power cable and all other cables. (For laptops, remove also the battery if you can).

3. Open the computer cover.

4. Locate the graphics card and if it has a dedicated power cable unplug it. (To remove the power cable from your graphics card, push the plastic latch on the power connector to unlock it from its position and then pull out the plug.)

5. Remove the screws securing the card to the case.

6. Locate and push out the latch on the end of the PCI slot to unlock the card from the slot, and then pull the graphics card toward you to remove it from the computer.

7. Then re-insert carefully the graphics card back to its slot and reconnect its dedicated power cable (if it has one).

8. Screw the graphics card to the computer case.

8. Reconnect the power cable and all other cables.

9. Turn on the computer.

Step 6. Clear CMOS Settings/Reset BIOS.

Every computer (desktop or laptop) has a small battery located on the computer’s motherboard and its main function is to power the CMOS (BIOS) chip that stores system configuration data such as time, date, hardware and BIOS settings.

Sometimes, incorrect settings in the BIOS can cause your computer to turn on without any signal on screen. To reset the BIOS settings back to its defaults, do the following:

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect the power cable.

3. Open the computer cover.

4. Locate the CMOS battery and remove it from its case by pushing out the latch that holds it in place.

5. Now wait for 2-3 minutes and then put the CMOS battery back to its position.

6. Reconnect the power cable and turn on the computer. *

* Note: Also try replacing the CMOS battery with a new one, because in some cases a dead battery can cause the described problem.

Step 7. Replace the Power Supply (PSU).

Even if there is an indication that a computer is turning on, this does not mean that its power supply is working properly. So, one more important step in solving the aforementioned problem, is to check if the problem persists with another power supply.

Step 8. Disconnect and Reconnect all Internal Cables (Desktops Only).

Another important step in solving the “no signal after power on” problem is to disconnect and reconnect all internal cables and connectors, including power, CPU fans, Front Panel Header (FPANEL), SATA cables, etc..

Other things to try (Desktops Only).

If, after following the steps above, you still see nothing on the screen after turning on your computer, try the following:

1. Start your computer with essential hardware only. This means to remove any extra hardware that is not necessary for your computer to operate, like an extra PCI Sound Card, Wi-Fi card or the drives, etc.

2. Replace the graphics card, or if you have an integrated graphics card, try to see if the problem persists with a separate graphics card (removable).

3. Replace the RAM.

4. Replace the motherboard.

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the no signal on the screen after turning on your computer.

That’s all folks! Did it work for you? If so, by what method?
Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post in the social networks to help spread the word about this problem.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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