PC completely dead (no lights, no fan spin)
The system receives zero electrical power when pressing the power switch, leaving all LEDs dark and fans motionless.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- No response when pressing the power button
- Motherboard standby LEDs do not illuminate
- Power supply fan does not spin
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 5 steps completedSafety power-off and discharge
Shut down the PC, turn off the power supply rocker switch (O), and unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet. Press the front power button once while unplugged to discharge residual capacitor energy before touching any internal components.
Verify wall outlet and power strip
Plug a lamp or phone charger into the exact wall outlet to confirm live mains voltage. If using a surge protector, toggle its rocker switch or test directly into the wall.
Inspect PSU rocker switch and AC cable
Verify the switch on the back of the power supply unit is flipped to the 'I' (On) position, and firmly push the C13 AC power cord into the power inlet.
Perform the paperclip PSU self-test
Disconnect all power cables from PC hardware. Jump the green wire (PS_ON) to any black ground wire on the 24-pin ATX connector with a paperclip. Switch on ; if the fan does not spin, the power supply has failed.
Test front-panel power switch header
Locate the front-panel header pins (PWR_SW) on the bottom right of the motherboard. Disconnect the case cable and briefly bridge the two pins with a flathead screwdriver to bypass a faulty chassis switch. SAFETY: Bridge ONLY the two PWR_SW pins. Never touch 12V RGB headers, USB headers, or audio pins, as shorting voltage rails will permanently damage the motherboard.
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