When I press the power button, its indicator, the keyboard backlight, and the fans turn on, but the screen remains completely blank. Caps Lock and Num Lock do not respond, and connected USB devices do not appear to receive power. I tried entering the BIOS with F2, connecting an external monitor, and performing a power drain by unplugging the charger and holding the power button for 40–60 seconds. I also looked for a removable battery, but it seems to be mounted inside the laptop. Initially, the fans shut off after a few seconds; now they remain running continuously. Is there another safe troubleshooting step to try, or does this indicate a serious hardware failure?
1 Answer
This sounds like the laptop is receiving power but not completing its hardware startup, so the problem may be with the motherboard, memory, firmware, or power system rather than just the display. If you’re comfortable opening it, disconnect the charger first, remove the bottom cover, and unplug the internal battery from the motherboard for several minutes. If the model has a separate CMOS battery, disconnect that too, then reconnect the battery and try starting it again. Use the service manual for the exact disassembly steps, since forcing the case apart can damage clips, cables, or the cover.
I removed all the visible screws but still can’t reach the motherboard without feeling like I’ll break the case. I’ll look for the model’s service manual rather than forcing the cover.