Windows 11 Won't Turn On: Power, Display and Startup Fixes

Pressing the power button and getting nothing, or a black screen, or an endless “Preparing Automatic Repair”, is one of the most stressful PC problems. When Windows 11 won’t turn on, the fix depends on how far the PC gets: whether it has power at all, whether it shows a picture, and whether Windows starts loading. This guide helps you work out which situation you are in and then follows Microsoft’s recovery steps, from a simple hard reset to Startup Repair, without risking your files.

The steps apply to desktops and laptops with Windows 11 version 24H2, 25H2 or 26H2.

Which problem do you have?

What you see	Problem area	Go to
No lights, no fans, nothing	Power	Step 1
Lights or fans, but a black screen	Display or graphics	Step 2
Maker logo, then a black screen, error or restart loop	Windows startup	Step 3
“Preparing Automatic Repair” or blue recovery screen	Windows startup	Step 3

Step 1: No power at all

1. Charger and socket. Use the original charger, check its light if it has one, and try a different wall socket without an extension lead.
2. Charge for a while. A completely flat battery may need some time before the laptop responds. Microsoft’s Surface guidance suggests charging for at least 15 minutes before trying again; that is sensible for any laptop.
3. Disconnect everything. Unplug USB drives, docks, SD cards and external displays. A faulty accessory can stop a PC starting.
4. Hard reset. Hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds, release, then press it normally. Microsoft’s Surface guidance uses a 20-second press to force a restart; many laptops respond the same way. Some laptops also have a small reset pinhole; the maker’s manual explains it.
5. Desktops: check the switch on the back of the power supply and that the power cable is firmly seated.

If there is still no sign of life, the charger, battery, power supply or motherboard may be faulty. Contact the PC maker.

Step 2: Power but no picture

1. Check the monitor. Is it on, and set to the right input (HDMI, DisplayPort)? Reseat the cable at both ends, or try another cable and port.
2. Desktops with a graphics card: plug the monitor into the graphics card, not the motherboard’s video port.
3. Restart the graphics driver. Press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B. If Windows is running behind a black screen, the display often returns.
4. Try another display or, on a laptop, connect an external monitor to see whether the internal screen is at fault.
5. Listen for the startup sound or caps lock light responding; if Windows is running, the problem is display-only.

Our Windows 11 black screen and no display on boot guides go deeper.

Step 3: Windows fails to start

Get into the recovery environment

Microsoft explains that you can force Windows into automatic repair by interrupting the normal startup twice: turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo or spinning dots appear, hold the power button until it switches off. Do this twice. On the third start, Windows should show Preparing Automatic Repair and then the recovery options. Select Advanced options.

If the PC still starts Windows sometimes, you can reach the same menu from Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Microsoft’s Windows recovery environment page describes both.

Run Startup Repair

1. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
2. Choose your account and enter its password if asked.
3. Let it run. Microsoft says Startup Repair fixes problems such as missing or damaged system files and a corrupted boot configuration.
4. When finished, restart.

If the device is encrypted, Microsoft notes you need your BitLocker recovery key; see BitLocker recovery. Startup Repair writes a log to %windir%\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt, useful if you need help.

If Startup Repair does not fix it

Microsoft’s recovery options page lists further tools in the same Advanced options menu. Try them in this order:

1. Uninstall Updates: remove the latest quality or feature update if trouble started after an update; files and apps stay. See uninstall a Windows 11 update.
2. Startup Settings: start in safe mode to remove a recent driver or app; see Windows 11 safe mode.
3. System Restore: return system files to a restore point; see System Restore.
4. Reset this PC with Keep my files, as a last resort; see Reset this PC.

If the recovery environment itself will not load, create Windows 11 installation media on another PC and boot from it; see create a Windows 11 bootable USB. Select Repair your computer rather than Install now.

Recent changes worth undoing

Think about what changed just before the problem:

• New hardware such as RAM, a graphics card or a drive: remove it and try again. Microsoft’s guidance on unexpected restarts recommends removing hardware added before the problem started.
• A BIOS/UEFI update or settings change: some PCs offer a “load defaults” option in the firmware; the maker’s manual explains how to reach it.
• A dropped laptop or spilled drink: switch it off, unplug it and take it for repair rather than trying to start it repeatedly.

Restart loops

A PC that restarts again and again during startup is covered in Windows 11 boot loop. If it gets stuck on the loading animation, see stuck on loading screen.

Protect your data

Once the PC starts again, back up straight away; see transfer files to a new PC for backup methods. If the PC only turns off at random rather than refusing to start, see Windows 11 random shutdown.