Troubleshoot Alienware Not Turning on or Booting into Windows

If you press the power button to turn on the computer, and it shows no activity: No lights, no fans, and so on, then you have a no power issue.

Try these quick steps to recover your Dell computer from a power issue.

When this occurs, it is recommended that you:

• Verify if there is any light on the computer, this includes the power led ring on the AC adapter for laptops.
• Reseat the power cables connection on both ends and the computer and the power outlet.
• Try a different power outlet or verify that the outlet you are using is working properly by connecting a known working device.
• If you have a laptop, ensure that the battery is fully charged. You can also try removing the battery and turning on the computer with the AC adapter only.
• Perform a power drain by disconnecting the power cables from the computer and the battery as per laptops, and then hold the power button for 10-15 seconds to discharge "residual power." Then connect back the power cables and try to turn the computer on.

If the problem persists after these steps, then it may be related to a defective power supply, AC adapter, battery, or motherboard.

If after pressing the power button the computer turns on. However, it is unable to complete the diagnostic testing sequence that is known as Power-On-Self-Test (POST), then you have a no POST issue.

Try these quick steps to recover your computer from a POST or startup issue.

Indications of a failed POST include:

• The computer displays the Alienware logo but does not move past that point.
• The power light lights up, and it is amber or orange.
• The computer stays on a black screen with text but does not move past it. And the keyboard does not respond.
• If the video screen displays anything at all during the startup process, but is now black.
• The computer is beeping or Diagnostic LEDs, Caps/Num/Scroll Lock LEDs are flashing. Note down if there is a particular pattern in which it beeps or flashes.

The following tables illustrate the beep codes for Alienware laptops and desktops and the possible root cause:

Desktop beep codes

Laptop beep codes

It is recommended that if the computer is not beeping and the Caps/Num/Scroll locks are not flashing, unplug all connections and remove all media communication devices. (For example: The external monitors.) Reconnect the devices one at a time and check if the computer functions.

For a laptop, press and hold the Fn key and then press the power button. This starts the preboot testing and launches the How to Run a Preboot Diagnostic Test on a Dell Computer. In case you have a Desktop, at the Alienware logo screen tap the F12 key to access the Boot Menu. Once in the menu, use the arrow keys to highlight Diagnostics, and press enter.

After the computer completes the Power-On Self-Test, it will attempt to boot to the operating system. Does the computer advance past the Alienware logo screen and then stop responding while attempting to load the operating system? It is most likely a no boot issue.

Try these quick steps to recover your computer from a boot problem.

When this occurs, it is recommended that you:

• Verify that the BIOS default values are the correct ones for your computer configuration. To do this:
  • Restart the computer.
  • At the Alienware logo during restart, tap the F2 key repeatedly until it enters setup.
  • Ensure that the Hard Drive/RAID settings are correct and the UEFI/Legacy mode on the BIOS.
• In case this issue persists, run the preboot Diagnostics by tapping the F12 while at the Alienware logo screen and then select Diagnostics.

The following indicates that a no video issue is happening. The power lights are normal but there is no display on the computer's screen or a connected monitor during the startup process.

Try these quick steps to resolve video issues on a Dell computer.

For a desktop computer, ensure that the monitor is plugged in and has a power light showing that it is turned on. Also, confirm that the video cable is properly connected on both ends: Computer and monitor and verify that the correct video input source has been selected on the monitor.

For a laptop, check if you can access the system BIOS by turning on the computer and then immediately after that tapping F2. If no display is shown after this, try running the Laptop integrated self-test (BIST).

Run the Built-In Self-Test to perform the following:

• Turn the computer off.
• Press and hold the D key while pressing the power button. This starts the BIST.
• The screen displays multiple flashing colors. Look for lines, distortion, or any other video issues you have observed.
• The laptop restarts when the test is finished.

If no video is shown yet, it is recommended to connect the computer to an external monitor (if available). This confirms if the video and problem is related to the LCD panel or to the computer’s video card itself. Contact Dell Technical Support.