Desktop will not turn on

[coastalbling08]

I have disconnected everything made sure all of the plugs worked and everything. My desktop is showing a green light on the back and when I hold the power button down it will flash white but never start up. My fan will not come on or anything. What do I do next! 

[Max3Aj]

@coastalbling08, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like you're experiencing a power issue with your HP desktop, where the green light indicates that the power supply is receiving power, but the fan isn't spinning and there's only a white LED flash. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot the problem:

Perform a Basic Hardware Reset

This process, often referred to as a "flea power drain" or "static discharge," can help reset the hardware:

1. Disconnect everything from the desktop (power cable, monitor, USB devices, etc.).
2. Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to drain any residual power.
3. Reconnect only the power cable and try powering it on.

Check for POST (Power-On Self Test) Signs

• If there are no fans spinning, no display, and no beeps, it indicates that the system is not completing the POST.
• Count the number of white LED flashes. If it flashes once, that could be an error code. Patterns (like 3 flashes, pause, 3 flashes) often indicate specific hardware failures (e.g., RAM, CPU, motherboard).

Reseat Internal Components

If you're comfortable opening the case:

1. Disconnect the power and open the side panel.
2. Reseat the following components:
   • RAM sticks: Remove and reinsert them.
   • Graphics card (if present): Remove and reinsert it.
   • Power connectors to the motherboard (the 24-pin and 4/8-pin connectors).
   • Ensure the front panel connectors (for the power button) are securely attached.

Minimal Boot

Try booting with only the essential components:

1. Motherboard
2. CPU + Cooler
3. One stick of RAM
4. No storage devices, no GPU (unless there's no onboard video)
5. Keyboard and power cable only

If this works, you can start reconnecting components one by one to isolate the issue.

❓ If Nothing Works

If the fan never spins and the system doesn’t POST:

• It could indicate a bad motherboard, bad CPU, or possibly a failing power supply (even if the green light is on).
• Listen for any beep codes when attempting to power on.
• Check if the green light ever goes off or flickers when pressing the power button.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support