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Fix a monitor that will not turn on

We'll rule out power, cables, and input selection, then isolate the cause—power board, backlight, or main board—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–25 min
What you'll need
  • Known-good power cable (optional)
  • Known-good video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA)
  • Another PC or laptop (to rule out the source)
Step 1 of 6

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out power and cables, then isolate the cause.

  • Check whether the power LED lights when you press the power button.
  • Good: You know if the issue is no power (no LED) or no image (LED on, black screen). Proceed to Check power and cables.
  • Bad: Unclear—try a full power cycle and retest.

Check power and cables

Goal: Rule out power loss and cable issues before assuming monitor failure.

  • Confirm the power cable is firmly plugged into the monitor and the wall outlet. Try a different outlet or known-good power cable.
  • Check the power switch on the monitor (often on the bottom or side). Ensure it is in the on position.
  • Swap the video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA) for a known-good one. Confirm the correct input is selected on the monitor.
  • Good: Power and cables are confirmed. Proceed to Rule out the source.
  • Bad: Cable or outlet is faulty—replace or use a different outlet.

Rule out the source

Goal: Determine whether the monitor or the PC is the problem.

  • Connect the monitor to another PC or laptop. Use a known-good cable and select the correct input.
  • If the monitor works with another source, the original PC or cable is the issue. Update display drivers and retest the cable.
  • If the monitor still shows no image with another source, the monitor has likely failed internally.
  • Good: You have isolated the cause. If PC: update drivers. If monitor: call a technician.
  • Bad: Still unclear—power-cycle the monitor (unplug 60 seconds) and retest.

When to get help

Call a technician if:

  • The power LED never lights after you have confirmed power and cables.
  • You smell burning or see physical damage to the power port.
  • The monitor works with no source (no cable) but stays black when connected—backlight or main board failure.

Do not open the monitor yourself. Internal repairs involve high voltage.

Verification

  • The power LED lights when the monitor is on.
  • The display shows an image from the connected source.
  • No burning smell or physical damage.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Check whether the power LED lights; distinguish no power from no image.
  2. Power and cables Verify power cable, outlet, power switch, and video cable.
  3. Rule out source Connect monitor to another PC to isolate monitor vs PC.
  4. Power cycle Unplug for 60 seconds and retest.
  5. Call a pro Power LED never lights, burning smell, or physical damage—call a technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Whether the power LED lights
  • Monitor model and age
  • Cable type and connections
  • Steps already tried

Does the power LED light up when you press the power button?

Check the power LED on the monitor. No LED = no power or power board failure. LED on but black screen = backlight or main board.

Press the power button and check the power LED. No LED: power or power board issue—proceed to check power. LED on but black: backlight or main board—proceed to rule out source.

Yes (LED on) No (no LED)

You can change your answer later.

Is the power cable plugged in and the outlet working?

Power cable and outlet are the most common causes of no power.

Check the power cable at both ends. Try a different outlet or known-good cable. Confirm the power switch on the monitor is on. Good: power present—power cycle and retest. Bad: still no LED—power board may have failed; call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Power-cycle and retest

Unplug the monitor for 60 seconds. Plug back in and press power. If the LED still does not light, the power board has likely failed—call a technician.

Done

Does the monitor work with another PC or source?

Rule out the PC or video cable by connecting to another device.

Connect the monitor to another PC or laptop with a known-good cable. Select the correct input on the monitor. Works: original PC or cable is the issue—check drivers and cable. Still black: backlight or main board—call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Update display drivers and retest

Update graphics drivers from the manufacturer site. In Windows: Display settings, Advanced display. Confirm the monitor is detected. Reinstall drivers if needed.

Done

Call a technician

Call a technician if the power LED never lights after checking power and cables, if you smell burning, or if the monitor has physical damage. Internal monitor repairs involve high voltage—do not open the monitor yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a monitor not turn on?
Power cable loose or faulty, bad outlet, wrong input selected, or internal failure (power board, backlight, main board). Check power and cables first, then input selection. Internal repairs need a technician.
Can I fix a monitor that will not turn on myself?
Yes, for power and cable issues. Check the power cable, outlet, power switch, and input. If the power light never comes on after ruling those out, the power board may have failed—call a technician for internal work.
When should I call a technician for a monitor that will not turn on?
If you have confirmed power, cables, and input and the monitor still shows no power light or stays black. Opening the monitor and replacing the power board or backlight requires a professional—high voltage inside.

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