lmcmillan33

I have a Toshiba laptop. It is about 4 1/2 years old.

My wife and I were on a weekend trip and we used the laptop on and off as we traveled. Everything worked fine all weekend. It worked in the car 45 minutes before we got home, but when I tried to start it up at home, nothing. The battery was probably at 67 percent, so that shouldn't have been an issue, and besides that, it won't do anything plugged in either.

The only issues I've had with it were the hard drive
went bad in the first year and was replaced under warranty. Then only a few months ago, the backlight went out on it and was replaced. I suppose it is getting old and has been used a lot, so I should expect problems to develop.

What are the possible problems when a laptop suddenly won't turn on?

TriggerFinger

Won't turn on? You mean nothing happens when you press power ON button (no lights, no signs of life)?

Try the steps below:

• Test output voltage of AC adapter or test it in another (similar laptop).
• Test battery in another (similar laptop).

Also try to:

• Startup on battery only
• Startup on AC only

If symptoms persist or if this has been done...
then try the steps below (skip if you have done so already):

1. Power OFF the computer
2. Remove the battery
3. Unplug AC
4. Press and hold Power ON button for 30 secs. at least
5. Put back the battery
6. Plug back AC
7. Power ON as normal

If the same thing happens...

1. Take it apart/Disassemble the laptop
2. Remove the rest, except RAM, mobo, LCD and power ON switch
3. Power ON using adapter

lmcmillan33

Taking the battery out and holding down the on button for 30 seconds seemed to do the trick. Thank you so much for your advice. I'm thrilled it was so simple.

What exactly does that do? Should I be at all concerned that I had to do this?

TriggerFinger

The action will drain any residual charge in the capacitors and reset the power management controls to their default condition. Works with HP and other laptops as well.