MSI Laptop Will Not Turn On

Before undertaking significant repairs on your device, try these basic troubleshooting steps:

• Check Power Source: Ensure your laptop's charging cable functions correctly. Connect another device, try a different cable, swap the plug to a different charging port if available, and swap to another outlet to verify.
• Perform a Hard Reset: Turn off your laptop and unplug it from its power source. If your laptop has a removable external battery, remove it. Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds. Reinsert the battery, plug in your power adapter, and turn on your device.
• Test with an External Monitor: Connect your laptop to an external monitor. If your device displays on the external monitor but not the built-in screen, check out the MSI Laptop Black Screen page.

Batteries are nefarious. They fail often due to their "consumable" nature, but not always in predictable ways. Although they typically die slowly and with diminishing power on time, a bunk battery could cause a no-power problem. In case of a failed battery, replace it using one of our replacement guides.

• Disconnect the battery and try to power it on. Most MSI laptops will boot without it. If it powers up, the battery is likely your issue.
• Check for visual signs of battery age, swelling, or leak. Swollen batteries may manifest as difficulty in using the trackpad or the keyboard. As the battery expands, it exerts upward pressure on the underside of these components.
• Reset your device's battery. This usually involves pressing and holding a combination of keys; refer to your laptop's user manual for instructions, as the procedure will often vary depending on the specific device.
• Replace your battery. Battery degradation is inevitable. You can check your battery's health. However, this will vary depending on your operating system. Some MSI laptops make it easier than others, and iFixit makes it easy to source a MSI Laptop Batteries.

Faulty or improperly seated RAM can prevent the system from booting correctly. If you see something on the screen but your computer won't boot, this is a likely cause.

• Reseat or Replace your RAM. If your MSI device features removable RAM modules, try to reseat them. If you can't find a replacement guide for your model, follow these simple steps:
  • Turn off the laptop, remove the back cover, and carefully remove and reinsert the RAM modules.
• If the issue persists, try using only one module at a time to identify a faulty module. If one or both of your modules are faulty, you will need a replacement.

Solution: Inspect the Charging Port for Damage and Replace or Repair

Depending on the specific model of the MSI laptop, you might be using a USB-C charging cable or a barrel-style charging cable.

• Perform a thorough visual inspection of the charge port. Use a flashlight for USB C-port interiors. It's an easy entry point for liquid, and corrosion can live there undetected.
• Wiggle the cable gently to see if you can get a better connection. If the port is loose, the internal pin may not make enough contact to charge the battery.
• Check for signs of corrosion or burn. If anything looks questionable, open the machine and pull out the affiliated part for a better look.
  • Spills commonly damage USB-C ports. Even if the liquid doesn't penetrate the machine's interior, corrosion in the port can spell trouble.
  • Barrel connectors are likelier to suffer from bent pints or broken plastic parts. If your port feels loose, it's likely this is to blame.
• If you find damage that can't be fixed or corrosion that can't be removed, find a replacement. In many cases, it is a modular component. If it's soldered onto the motherboard—like a USB-C port—you'll need some soldering chops to proceed (or replace the affected board).

Solution: Replace the Motherboard

What if your MSI laptop still does not power up, even after following all the troubleshooting steps above? Signs point toward a problem with the motherboard or surrounding components.

1. Ensure that your device's CPU is adequately cooled. If you have recently reinstalled your MSI Laptop Heat Sinks, double-check that it is correctly attached to your CPU and that the CPU has the appropriate amount of thermal paste applied. Proper cooling is essential to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. Also, ensure that your device's MSI Laptop Fans is plugged in, working, and spinning freely in its housing.
2. Remove any accumulated dust or debris from your device's internal components. Maintaining proper airflow within your device is crucial. Dust or debris can hinder the cooling process, potentially causing issues with the operating system. Regularly cleaning your device's internals helps prevent excessive heat generation and ensures optimal performance.
3. Reset your device's BIOS Settings. To reset your motherboard's BIOS settings, you can try uninstalling and then reinstalling the CMOS battery. By doing so, any stored settings or configurations that may have become corrupted will be cleared, and the system will start with default settings. This helps eliminate potential conflicts or misconfigurations that could be causing the issue you're experiencing.
4. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the circuit boards for any signs of burns or damaged components. Suppose you observe any visible damage, such as burns or parts that appear to be physically damaged. In that case, the board likely needs to be replaced, especially if it's the board carrying the display cable connector. You can find both MSI Laptop Motherboards and MSI Laptop Daughterboards components for select Chromebook models in our store.