Your PC powers on, fans spin, lights glow—but there’s no image on your screen. Sound familiar? This is a frustrating but common issue. In this guide, we’ll walk through every possible cause and solution when your PC turns on but shows no display.
⚠️ What Does “Turns On” Actually Mean?
Your PC is considered “on” if:
- Power supply fan or case fans spin
- LEDs on the case or motherboard light up
- But the monitor stays blank with no BIOS or boot screen
This often points to an issue with display output, RAM, GPU, or motherboard POST.
🔧 Step-by-Step Fixes
1. Check the Monitor & Cable
- Make sure the monitor is on and plugged in
- Test with a different HDMI/DisplayPort cable
- Try another display (TV, secondary monitor)
2. Verify GPU Connection
- If using a graphics card, make sure it’s fully seated in the PCIe slot
- Check that the GPU power cables are connected
- Try plugging your monitor into the motherboard if your CPU has integrated graphics
This helps determine if the issue is with the GPU or the system.
3. Re-seat the RAM
- Turn off the PC and remove the RAM sticks
- Reinsert them carefully, one at a time
- Try different RAM slots if possible
Bad or poorly seated RAM is a top reason for no display.
4. Reset CMOS / BIOS
- Unplug your PC, remove the CMOS battery (silver coin cell) for 5–10 mins
- Or use the clear CMOS jumper if your motherboard has one
This resets display settings and potential POST issues
5. Listen for Beep Codes
- If your motherboard has a speaker, listen for beeps on startup
- These can indicate RAM, GPU, or CPU problems (check your motherboard manual)
6. Try Booting Without GPU
- If your CPU has integrated graphics, remove the GPU and boot with monitor on motherboard port
7. Double-Check Power Connections
- 24-pin motherboard power and 8-pin CPU power cables must be secure
- Some systems may “light up” even if these are loose!
🔄 Advanced Troubleshooting
- Swap RAM or GPU with known-good parts if available
- Inspect CPU socket for bent pins (especially if recently installed)
- Try minimal boot setup: 1 RAM stick, no GPU, no drives
🌟 Final Tips
- Don’t panic—this is usually fixable without replacing anything
- Always rule out monitor & cables first
- Be methodical: change one thing at a time
Still stuck? Drop a comment or check out our full PC Troubleshooting Hub for more guides!
