The Ultimate Solution To Lenovo Laptop Not Turning On

Lenovo is a popular laptop brand that is known for its high-quality devices. Even the best laptops can run into issues and one common problem is a Lenovo laptop that won’t turn on or start up properly.

This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you rely on your laptop for work or school. Fortunately, there are several steps that can be taken to troubleshoot and fix this issue. 

In this article, we’ll provide a 10-step process to help you resolve a Lenovo laptop won’t turn on issue. This includes Lenovo Thinkpads that don’t turn on as well.

Tip: The quick fix when your Lenovo laptop is not turning on is to unplug the A/C adapter and remove the battery if possible. Next, hold down the power button for about 30 seconds. Then, plug in the A/C adapter and boot the machine. And finally, re-install the battery.

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Is the Lenovo laptop getting power? That is the first thing to know.

Your laptop is not powering on, but is it even receiving power?
We’ll troubleshoot to figure out if the issue is with the laptop, the display screen, or the A/C adapter and battery.
I’ve isolated the checks into individual steps to follow to help resolve power-on issues.

10 steps to fix a Lenovo laptop not turning on:

  1. Laptop Status Lights
  2. Check the A/C Adapter and Battery
  3. Use Battery Only Power
  4. Use The Emergency Reset Button
  5. Press The Lenovo NOVO Button
  6. Check The Lenovo Display Screen
  7. Check the A/C Adapter And Port
  8. Check For A Damaged Battery
  9. Is The Power Button Blinking?
  10. Remove Internal Components

Step 1: Check Laptop Status Lights

The first step is to check the laptop status lights. If the lights are not turning on or are blinking, it could indicate a problem with the laptop’s power supply.

Plug in the A/C adapter and look for a light on the lower part of the display screen or near where you plug in the adapter.

To rule out a faulty power outlet, check if it’s working properly. If you see a power status indicator light, try powering on your device to make sure it’s ready to use.

If you do not see a status indicator light continue with the steps below.

Step 2: Check the A/C Adapter and Battery

The next step is to check the A/C adapter and battery. Make sure the A/C adapter is properly plugged in and that the battery is charged.

Make sure both are firmly connected and in good shape before attempting to turn on the laptop. While you’re at it, inspect the battery connections as well to make sure they’re properly connected and undamaged.

  1. If you do not see a status light, unplug the A/C adapter and remove the battery if it is external.
  2. Press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds to discharge any static buildup.
  3. Now, plug in the A/C adapter.
  4. Press the power button to see if the laptop powers on.

Step 3: Use Battery-Only Power

If the laptop does not switch on with only the A/C adapter, it is time to try with only the battery. This step is important because it helps to isolate the issue and determine whether the problem is with the power supply or the battery.

If the Lenovo Laptop does not power on with only the A/C adapter, it is time to try with only the battery. We are trying to isolate the issue with these steps.

To use battery-only power, start by unplugging the A/C adapter from your laptop. Then, locate the battery slot on the underside of your laptop and reinsert it. Make sure that the battery is properly seated in its compartment.

Once the battery is in place, press the power button to check if the laptop powers on. If the laptop powers on successfully, then it indicates that the A/C adapter may be faulty or damaged. You can try using a different A/C adapter to see if that resolves the issue.

On the other hand, if the laptop still does not turn on with the battery power, then it indicates that there might be an issue with the battery itself.

  1. Unplug the A/C adapter.
  2. Re-Insert the battery.
  3. Press the power button to check if the laptop powers on.
Lenovo laptop power button
To turn on a Lenovo laptop, press the power button on the computer or hold down the power button for 3 to 5 seconds to start it from sleep mode.

Read my article on How To Extend Battery Life. With some simple steps, you can make sure your devices are always working at peak efficiency.

Step 4: Use The Emergency Reset Button

If your Lenovo laptop is still not turning on, it’s time to try an emergency reset. Some Lenovo laptops have a small hole on the back base plate known as the “Emergency Reset Hole,” which can be used to cut off power to the system from any internal or external battery and reset the laptop. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Turn over the laptop and locate the small hole on the back base plate.
  2. Insert a straight pin or paper clip into the hole to press the emergency reset button.
  3. Try to power on your Lenovo laptop.

Performing an emergency reset can sometimes fix the issue and bring your laptop back to life. If this step doesn’t work, don’t worry, there are more steps to try.

Step 5: Press The Lenovo NOVO Button

Some IdeaPad laptops, such as the IdeaPad S340, have a NOVO button to reset the system and boot into the recovery BIOS. The NOVO button is usually located next to the power button or on the side of the laptop and is denoted with an upside-down-looking curved arrow.

NOVO Button

Follow these steps to boot into Lenovo recovery mode:

  1. Locate the NOVO button on your Lenovo laptop. It is a small hole with a backward arrow next to it that looks like an upside-down U.
  2. Press and hold the NOVO button for a few seconds until the Novo Button Menu appears on the screen.
  3. In the Novo Button Menu, select “System Recovery” and press Enter.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system recovery process.
  5. After the recovery process is complete, try to power on your Lenovo laptop to see if the issue has been resolved.

If the laptop still won’t turn on, move on to the next step in the process.

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Step 6: Troubleshoot Blank Lenovo Display Screen 

If you’ve tried all the previous steps and the Lenovo laptop still won’t turn on, it’s possible that the display screen is not functioning properly. In some cases, the laptop may power on but the display remains blank, giving the impression that the laptop is not working.

Here’s what you can do to troubleshoot a blank Lenovo display screen:

  1. Power on the laptop and observe the system carefully to see if it shows any signs of activity, such as LED lights turning on, fan noise, or hard drive activity.
  2. If you hear fan noise or the hard drive working but the screen remains blank, try connecting the laptop to an external display or monitor to see if the display appears there. If so, the issue may be with the laptop’s internal display or graphics card.
  3. If you’re not able to connect to an external display, try to boot the laptop in safe mode or enter the BIOS setup screen to see if the display works there. If it does, it could be a software issue rather than a hardware problem.

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Step 7: Check A/C Adapter and Power Port for Damage

If your Lenovo laptop is still not turning on, it could be due to a faulty A/C adapter or a damaged power port. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Check the A/C adapter and cable for any visible damage. If you notice any fraying, cracks, or other signs of damage, it’s time to purchase a replacement adapter.
  2. Check the power port on your laptop where you plug in the adapter. Look for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If the port is worn, it may not make a secure connection, preventing the laptop from getting the power it needs to turn on.
  3. If you find any damage to the A/C adapter or power port, you may need to purchase a new A/C adapter or have the laptop serviced.

Step 8: Check For A Damaged Battery 

We removed the battery in earlier steps to help isolate the power issue. Now let’s check if the battery is bad.

Follow these steps to troubleshoot battery issues:

  1. Check the battery for any visible signs of damage, such as swelling, cracks, or leaks. If you notice any damage, the battery needs to be replaced immediately.
  2. Ensure that the battery is properly inserted into the laptop. If it’s not seated correctly, it won’t charge or provide power to the laptop.
  3. Check if the battery is charging properly. If the battery is not charging, try a different A/C adapter and cable to see if that resolves the issue.
  4. If your Lenovo laptop has a removable battery, try removing it and powering on the laptop with only the A/C adapter connected. If the laptop powers on without the battery, the battery may need to be replaced.
  5. Check the battery’s health: If the battery is old or damaged, it may not hold a charge or provide enough power to start the laptop. You can check the battery health in the Lenovo Vantage app or by using a third-party battery diagnostic tool.
  6. Replace the battery: If the battery is found to be faulty or damaged, you may need to replace it. You can purchase a replacement battery from Lenovo or a third-party seller.
  7. Reset the battery: Sometimes, resetting the battery can help resolve power-related issues. To reset the battery, turn off your laptop and disconnect the A/C adapter. Then, remove the battery from your laptop and press and hold the power button for about 30 seconds. This will discharge any residual power from the laptop. Reinsert the battery and A/C adapter, and then try turning on the laptop.

See the Lenovo Battery Reference Guide for information specific to your Lenovo Laptop model.

Step 9: Is The Power Button Blinking or Flashing? 

Normally this flashing means the Lenovo laptop is in sleep or standby mode, in which case just press any key to wake it up.

If you notice that the power button on your Lenovo laptop is blinking or flashing and pressing it doesn’t turn on the laptop, there are a few things to try. 

In this case, follow the steps below to troubleshoot:

  1. Press and hold the power button for about 15 seconds to turn off the laptop.
  2. If your laptop has an ‘Emergency Reset Hole’ (as shown in step 4), press it.
  3. Try to power on the laptop again. If it still doesn’t turn on, continue with these steps.
  4. Remove both the external and internal batteries(Step 10) from the laptop.
  5. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to discharge any remaining power in the laptop.
  6. Reinsert the internal and external batteries.
  7. Try to power on the laptop again.

Step 10: Remove and Re-Seat Internal Components

If the Lenovo laptop still is not turning on, consider opening up the laptop and removing and re-seating the hard drive, memory modules, and internal battery. Then put all the components back together and try to power on the laptop. 

Follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your laptop and disconnect any external power source.
  2. Remove the back cover of your laptop using a screwdriver.
  3. Locate the internal components, such as the hard drive, memory modules, and internal battery.
  4. Carefully remove each component and then re-seat it firmly in its socket.
  5. Replace the back cover of the laptop and screw it back in place.
  6. Turn on the laptop and check if the issue is resolved.

If all these steps have failed to power on the laptop it is time to call Lenovo support to have the system serviced and repaired.
Locate a Repair Center for Lenovo Laptops.

You can also find helpful resources on Lenovo’s website, such as parts replacement videos, warranty status checks, and a battery and power adapter finder. If your laptop needs repair, you can locate a repair center through their website.

Check out my article titled: Laptop Repair Primer (free guide) for additional information about repair steps.

These links below should provide support for your particular Lenovo Laptop.

Parts Removal and Replacement Videos can be found for Lenovo Laptops.
Order Replacement Parts for Lenovo Laptops.
Check your Warranty Status for Lenovo Laptops.
Battery and Power Adapter Finder for Lenovo Laptops.

Lenovo Laptop Not Turning On Conclusion

A Lenovo laptop that won’t turn on can be a frustrating problem, but there are a number of steps that can be taken to troubleshoot and fix the issue. By following this 10-step process, you can determine the cause of the problem and take the necessary steps to resolve it.

With the right troubleshooting techniques, you can get your Lenovo laptop up and running in no time.

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J.S. is the owner, content creator, and editor at Upgrades-and-Options.com. I’ve worked in the IT and Computer Support field for over 20 years. The server hardware in my computer labs has mostly been IBM, but I’ve supported Dell, HP, and various other hardware. In addition, as part of my lab administrator responsibilities, I’ve learned, supported, and repaired/upgraded network hardware such as Cisco routers and switches. READ FULL BIO >>