How to Turn On a Computer (Power Button & Keyboard Guide)

How to Turn On a Computer (Power Button & Keyboard Guide)
Last Updated: February 13, 2026 Md. U 0
Categories : Tutorials

How to Turn On a Computer (Power Button & Keyboard Guide)

Turning on a computer such as Desktop PC or Laptop is not a challenging task but sometimes the manufacturers make it irritable by hiding the power button. The standard power button looks like the one shown in the picture. However, computer manufactures design and place the power button at different locations. You can follow these steps to properly turn on a desktop PC or laptop.

PC Power Button

Common Computer Power Button Locations by Device Type

Type of Computer Typical Power Button Location What to Look For
Standard Desktop PC (Tower) Front panel (top or center), or on the very top edge of the case. A large circular or square button, usually marked with the Universal Power Symbol (a circle with a vertical line).
Standard Laptop (Windows) Top-right corner above the keyboard, or integrated into the top-right key itself. Sometimes doubles as a fingerprint scanner. On 2-in-1 touchscreen laptops, it may be on the side edge.
All-in-One PC (HP, Dell, iMac) Hidden on the back of the screen (usually bottom-right or bottom-left), or along the bottom edge. You often have to feel around the back edges to find it. It is rarely on the front glass.
Apple MacBooks Top-right corner of the keyboard. On modern MacBooks, this is a blank glass square that also acts as the Touch ID sensor.
Mini PCs (Mac Mini, Intel NUC) Usually on the back-right corner or right on the front panel. Often a small, flush button that clicks distinctly when pressed.

Turning on a Desktop PC

  • Plug the wire of CPU and Monitor/ LCD/LED into a cord.
  • Press the Power button of the PC Case.
  • Press the Power button of Monitor/ LCD/LED.
  • Wait for a second.
  • If you are using a computer with multiple accounts, click icon just above your name and enter password
  • That is it.
Universal power button symbol on a computer case

Turning on a Desktop laptop

  • Press the power button of the laptop this will turn CPU and LCD at the same time.
  • Make sure that battery is not low, otherwise connect charger and then press power button.
  • Click icon just above your name and enter password.
  • That is it.​

How to Turn On a PC Using the Keyboard (If Power Button is Broken)

Most computers allow you to wake or turn them on via the keyboard, but you must enable this in the BIOS/UEFI settings first. Here is how to enable it:

1. Restart or Turn On: Start your computer.

2. Enter BIOS: Immediately press Del or F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS menu.

Find Power Settings: Navigate to Power Management Setup (sometimes listed as APM Configuration).\

3. Enable Feature: Select ‘Power on by Keyboard’ and change the status to Enabled.

4. Save & Exit: Press F10 to save changes and restart.

After saving changes successfully, pressing your chosen key (usually Spacebar or Ctrl+Esc) will turn on your PC. If you cannot access the BIOS, there are other workarounds such as Wake on LAN or manually shorting the power switch pins on the motherboard.

Pro Tip: Once your computer is running, you should also learn how to shut it down using just the keyboard in case your mouse freezes.

💡 Note for Modern Laptops (Flip-to-Boot)

If you have a newer laptop, you might notice that it turns on automatically the moment you open the lid. This is a built-in feature called "Flip-to-Boot" or "Power on Lid Open." This is completely normal behavior designed to get you working faster. If you prefer to turn it on manually using the power button, this feature can usually be disabled within your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings.

Troubleshooting: What to do if your computer won't turn on

🔌 Symptom: "No Power"

What it looks like: You press the button and nothing happens. No lights, no fans, completely dead.
  • Check the source: Ensure the wall socket or power strip is working.
  • Check the PSU switch: Desktops have a switch on the back power supply. Make sure the line | is pressed down, not the circle O.
  • Check connections: Ensure the cable is pushed firmly into the PC and the wall.

🖥️ Symptom: "No Display"

What it looks like: Fans spin and lights turn on, but the monitor stays totally black.
  • Check the monitor: Ensure the monitor is plugged in and turned on independently.
  • Check the cable: Reseat the HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA cable on both ends.
  • Desktop Tip: If your PC has a graphics card, ensure the monitor is plugged into the GPU ports (lower down), not the motherboard ports.

Complete Guide & FAQs

1 Basic Steps & Location
How do I turn on a computer step by step?
To turn on a computer, connect the power cable, locate the power button on the front/top of the CPU (or side of a laptop), press it once, wait for the boot screen to appear, and let the operating system load completely.
What is the correct way to turn on a computer?
Make sure all cables are connected, switch on the main power supply, and press the computer’s power button once. Avoid holding it down, as that triggers a force shutdown.
Which button turns on a computer?
The power button turns on a computer—it is usually marked with the universal power symbol (⏻) and located on the CPU case or the side of the keyboard/top of a laptop.
Where is the computer power button?
  • On desktops: It is typically on the front or top of the CPU case.
  • On laptops: It may be on the top row of the keyboard, side, or corner bezel.
How do I turn on a desktop computer step by step?
Connect the monitor and power cables → Turn on the UPS/stabilizer → Press the power button on the CPU → Turn on the monitor → Wait for the OS to load.
What is the first step to switch on a computer?
Ensure the power source is connected and turned on (wall socket, UPS, or extension).
How do you start up a computer?
Press the power button and wait for the booting process to complete.
What is the step 3 of starting a computer?
After pressing the power button and seeing startup lights/fans, wait for the system to load the operating system.
What are the 4 steps in turning on a computer?
  1. Connect power
  2. Press power button
  3. System boots
  4. OS loads to desktop
What are the 5 or 6 steps of starting a computer?
  1. Plug in cables
  2. Turn on the main power
  3. Press the CPU/laptop power button
  4. Monitor displays boot screen
  5. OS loads
  6. Computer is ready to use
How does a computer turn on?
Pressing the power button sends a signal to the power supply, which wakes the motherboard and starts the boot process.
How do I put on (turn on) a computer for the first time?
Unpack, connect all cables, switch on the power, press the power button, and follow the on-screen setup instructions.
How to start a computer for beginners?
Press the power button, wait for the OS to load, and sign in. Instructions are usually displayed with icons.
2 Troubleshooting (Won't Start)
How to turn on a computer when it won’t?
Check power cable, try another outlet, reset power supply/UPS, check RAM or loose cables, and ensure the power button works.
Why am I getting no power to my PC?
Possible reasons: faulty power supply, loose cable, dead motherboard, damaged power button, or UPS/extension issue.
When I press the power button on my computer, nothing happens—why?
This can occur due to a dead battery (laptop), faulty Power Supply Unit (PSU), damaged motherboard, bad RAM, or an unplugged cable.
Why won’t my PC turn on if everything is plugged in?
The power supply may be faulty, the motherboard may not be responding, or the power switch connection inside the case is loose.
How do I force my PC to turn on?
Ensure power is connected, then press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. If it still doesn’t start, check internal connections.
How do I get my computer to turn on?
Check connections, try a different socket, ensure the PSU switch is on, and press the power button once.
3 Keyboard & Advanced Methods
Can you turn on a PC with a keyboard?
Yes—if the BIOS/UEFI “Wake on Keyboard” option is enabled. Otherwise, the power button is required.
How do I start a computer without a power button?
You can use:
  • Wake-on-Keyboard/Mouse: If the BIOS/UEFI “Wake on Keyboard / Mouse” option is enabled.
  • Wake-on-LAN: Starting it via network.
  • Shorting Pins: Shorting the power switch pins on the motherboard (advanced users only).
How to turn on a PC manually?
If the power button is broken, you can short the power SW pins on the motherboard with a screwdriver (for technicians only).
4 Sleep, Restart & Shut Down
How to start a computer when it is in sleep mode?
Press any key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or briefly press the power button (do not hold).
How do I restart my computer?
Go to Start → Power → Restart or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete → Restart.
What are the three keys to restart a computer?
Ctrl + Alt + Delete
How do I turn on and off the computer?
  • To turn on: Press power button once.
  • To turn off: Click Start → Power → Shut Down.
What button do I press to restart my computer?
Use the operating system restart feature. Only use the physical power button to force a restart if the system is frozen.

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