How to Fix a Computer That Turns on and Off

Have you ever seen your PC turn on and off while you are trying to use it? This usually happens even before the Operating System loads. Well, if this is the case, you probably already realize that your PC is experiencing a problem. Sometimes, it's caused by faulty power supply, short circuits, or other hardware issues, such as incompatibility of software and hardware, power buttons that aren't working the right way, and the like.

Listed below are some tips that will help you fix this problem. Read on and find out how.

1. Check if the switch of the Power Supply has been set correctly. Sometimes, the input levels that you may find in the power supply don't fit your country's rules then that's probably the reason why your computer keeps turning off. Incorrect voltage definitely would not give your computer the power it needs to function.

2. Troubleshoot Beep Codes. Usually, a computer comes with Beep Code manuals, whether on their own, or as part of BIOS manuals. Sometimes, beep codes can tell you why the PC is malfunctioning. This occurs during start-up. Remember that if you're doing this on a newly bought PC, do it at least thrice so you can find out if something is really wrong or if you just have not installed pieces properly.

3. Try a Power Supply Test. The fact that your PC turns on then turns off after a while-or after just a few seconds, without you wanting it to, is a clear sign that the power supply is not working properly. More often than not, the power supply is the culprit when it comes to faulty hardware, and that's why you have to check if it's working in the way it's expected to. If you figure out that it's time to buy a new Power Supply, make sure that the computer has been plugged in for around 5 minutes before you decide to install the power supply so that the battery or the CMOS can charge for a bit.

4. Check if there are any electrical problems. If your computer turns on for like, two to three seconds, then just shuts down, it might be because of wires that are encountering short circuits. Check if there are any wires that have been misaligned, or if some components have come in contact with each other in the wrong manner, because if you don't do it right away, you may have to buy and replace hardware, which might be costly for you.

5. See if the power button has been properly attached. Sometimes, when the power button sticks to the case, or when it seems to hang out of the case, it means that it hasn't been attached properly, which may be the reason why you're PC is not turning on-or is not staying on. Test if it's working, and if it is, and it just has not been glued on the right way, just arrange it. But, if it's no longer working, you can go ahead and buy a new one.

6. Take out other hardware that you have installed. If you have added more RAM, video cards, or sound cards to your PC, take them out for a while and restart the PC only with its original components. If it still turns off by itself, it's time for you to use the POST or Power On Self Test Card so you'll get to know which of the hardware is exactly the cause of the problem.

7. Test how the computer powers up by reinstalling each piece of hardware that you have taken out-one at a time. You should do this in case your PC turns on with only the original hardware, which means that the components that you have added are the reasons why it is experiencing problems. Bring back the added components one at a time and see how the PC reacts. If it turns off after adding one of the components, it means that the said component is the problem and that you may have to remove it or replace it with something else.

8. Test what you have replaced, too. If you have replaced broken components, you should also try installing them one by one so that you'd know if each of them is compatible with the PC, or if they will cause some problems, too.

Before installing any hardware on your PC, make sure that it works well with the specs of your computer. Test the pieces beforehand so you won't encounter any problems.