What To Do If The PC Doesn't Turn On But Its Fans Do
You might want to double check every connection inside your PC
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Key notes
- The issue of your computer won't boot but fans spin can be caused by some problems with the power supply.
- If your PC won't turn on but the fans spin for a second, then overheating might also be the culprit.
- We have prepared a few solutions for the situation when the fans turn on but there is no displayed image.
- Test our fixes, and solve the issue when the computer won't turn on but the fan runs loud issue.
If your computer won’t boot but fans spin continuously, it indicates a problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
There are three main reasons why your computer won’t boot but fans spin:
- Poor power supply
- Overheating
- Failed components
When the power supply to your computer fails, then it won’t start or power up, but the fans spin regardless.
Similarly, when your computer won’t boot but fans spin constantly, it could be a sign of high temperatures or overheating in your computer.
If not dealt with, this can cause your computer to fail or refuse to boot until it cools down.
If your fans spin beyond the normal way, you need to check that the airflow around them is not hindered.
When your computer’s components are faulty or damaged, they can prevent your machine from booting. Such components include RAM chips, motherboards, and even the BIOS.
Here’s what you can do if your computer won’t boot but fans spin.
What can I do if my PC won’t start, yet fans spin?
- Disconnect external hardware
- Reset RAM chips
- Check the motherboard
- Change the power outlet
- Check with your computer manufacturer
- Check the peripherals
- Check with a technician
1. Disconnect external hardware
This involves unplugging or disconnecting any external hardware such as printers, USB drives, and scanners, among others so that you leave only the basic components before trying again.
Of course, we suggest unplugging the power cord and removing, primarily, all external peripherals and then moving to the internal hardware.
2. Reset RAM chips
One of the reasons your computer won’t boot but the fans spin could be bad RAM.
In this case, remove the RAM from its slot, then clean it and return it back to the same slot or try a different slot altogether.
The best way to clear RAM is with a cloth and gently. Don’t apply any liquid. You can also try switching the positions of the RAM cards to different sockets.
We recommend you a new RAM memory. Using a brand new DDR4 memory module prevents the situation when your computer won’t boot but the fans spin.
There are professional products in this regard that have a 1.2 V operating voltage. Their design will allow you to have low power consumption, and you will also use a product with low generated heat.
As a whole, your computer will have a constant ambient temperature, and thus, avoid overheating. A professional DDR4 memory module offers you stability, efficiency in the long term, and very low consumption.
⇒ Get TEAMGROUP Elite Memory Module Ram Upgrade
3. Check the motherboard
If you see a yellow or amber light on, it could indicate a bad motherboard. Sometimes the motherboard could have bad capacitors, which may cause the computer not to boot but the fans to spin.
If this is the case, you can have a new one installed on your computer.
4. Change the power outlet
If you open your computer, remove all connected devices and expansion cards, then turned it on again and it still won’t boot but the fans spin, then you’re probably looking at an issue with the power supply.
As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons your computer may refuse to boot but the fan’s spin includes a poor power supply. You can try a different wall outlet and plug into it, then try to boot your computer again.
5. Check with your computer manufacturer
If your computer won’t boot but fans spin, you can also note down the sequence of the beeps or flashing lights your computer shows while trying to boot.
The following step you should take is to check with your computer’s manufacturer what the sequence means.
6. Check the peripherals
If your computer won’t boot, but the fans spin, and you hear a beep sound as if it is booting, then one of your peripherals could be causing the problem.
In this case, you can insert one at a time and then try and confirm which one is problematic.
7. Check with a technician
If all else fails, get a qualified computer repair technician to find out what the problem is and how to get it fixed. This might be (as it usually is) a PSU failure.
You’ll probably need to replace it. Often, it has enough power to run the fan (low-power) and a hard time running anything else.
We’d love to hear from you whether any of these solutions worked. Let us know in the comments section below.
