Monitor won't turn on at all

Symptoms

• No LED light on the monitor at all
• Power button does nothing when pressed
• Screen stays completely black and dark
• Worked fine before an outage or being unplugged

Likely causes

• CommonPower cable or outlet issueA loose power cord or dead outlet is the most common cause.
• CommonPower strip or surge protector switched offMany strips have a physical switch that can be bumped off.
• PossibleInternal power supply failureMonitors have an internal power board that can fail, especially in older units.
• PossibleFailed capacitors on the power boardBulging or leaking capacitors are a known cause of dead monitors.
• PossibleExternal power brick failure (on monitors that use one)The brick itself, not the monitor, can die.

What to do

1. Confirm the power cable is firmly seated at both the monitor and the wall outlet.
2. Plug the monitor directly into a wall outlet, bypassing any power strip or surge protector.
3. Test that outlet with another device, like a phone charger, to confirm it has power.
4. If the monitor uses an external power brick, try a different one of the same voltage and polarity if available.
5. Hold the power button for 5–10 seconds in case the monitor is stuck in a low-power state.
6. Check the power cable itself for visible fraying or damage and swap it if you have a spare of the right type.

Tools and parts

• None, or a multimeter for testing outlets

When to call a pro

If the outlet and cable both check out and the monitor still shows zero signs of life, the internal power supply has likely failed; a repair shop or manufacturer service center can confirm and often it's cheaper to replace an older monitor.

Safety