You've settled in to start your day, press the Power button on your Lenovo® laptop, and nothing happens. Instead, the Power button just blinks or flashes, leaving you frustrated and worried about what might be wrong. While this problem can be concerning, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Our experts at Asurion are here to help. They’ve got the tech skills to solve any problem. Here’s what they say about fixing a Lenovo laptop that will not turn on but has a flashing power light.
How to fix a Lenovo laptop with a flashing Power button
If your Lenovo laptop’s Power button is flashing, it could indicate various issues, from power supply problems to hardware malfunctions. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Perform a hard restart
A hard restart (also known as a forced restart) is often the simplest and quickest way to resolve many power-related issues. It helps clear any temporary glitches or conflicts within the laptop’s operating system that might cause the Lenovo Power button to flash.
Here's how to perform a hard restart:
- Press and hold the Power button until the laptop turns off.
- Press the Power button again to turn your laptop back on.
To fully restart your device, try disconnecting from the power source and removing the battery if it’s removable.
- Press and hold the Power button until the laptop shuts down completely. Then, disconnect peripheral accessories and the power cable. If the battery is detachable, remove it.
- Press and hold the Power button for 15–20 seconds to dissipate residual power.
- If you have taken out the removable battery, place it back in the laptop and reconnect it to the charger. Then, turn on the laptop and check if it powers up normally.
Remove external devices
External devices can sometimes cause conflicts with your laptop's startup process. To rule this out, disconnect all external peripherals like USB drives, external monitors, and printers, then try turning on the laptop again.
If the laptop turns on without any issues, reconnect the devices one at a time to identify the one causing the problem.
Check the power supply and connections
Sometimes, a Lenovo laptop's Power button flashes because the laptop isn’t getting enough power. Start by inspecting the power cable and adapter for any visible damage, like fraying, bent connectors, or unusual bends that might affect power delivery and replace them if necessary.
Make sure the power cordis securely connected to both the laptop and wall outlet, and test the outlet with another device to verify that it works correctly. If you suspect the power adapter is faulty, try using a compatible Lenovo adapter from another device or borrow one. If the laptop turns on, you may need to replace the adapter.
Check for hardware issues
If your Lenovo laptop's Power button is blinking and it still won’t turn on, there may be hardware issues to consider. Think of the last time your laptop fell, if it makes loud noises, or if it tends to overheat. These all point to potential internal damage.
If you’re comfortable taking a peek inside your laptop, turn it off and unplug it from any power source. Open the bottom panel of your laptop and see whether the random access memory (RAM) and hard drive are securely in place—sometimes, these parts can get a little loose. If you notice anything out of place, gently push them back into their slots, button up your laptop, and try turning it on again.
Run Lenovo diagnostics to identify hardware malfunctions
If your eyes can’t spot the problem, try running the Lenovo diagnostic tool to see whether it can detect any hardware failures.
- Turn off the laptop completely.
- Turn the laptop back on and immediately press the F2 or F12 keys repeatedly until the boot menu appears.
- Choose Diagnostics and run a full hardware scan to identify any potential issues.
- Follow any on-screen prompts to address the detected problems.
Test your laptop in safe mode
If the issue persists, you may need to start your laptop in safe mode to determine whether a recently downloaded app or program is the cause.
- Turn off your laptop completely.
- Turn it back on while pressing the F8 key repeatedly to enter basic input output system (BIOS).
- Use the directional keys to highlight Safe mode, then press Enter.
Delete any recently downloaded files one at a time, restarting your computer after each removal to exit safe mode, and check whether the Power button is still blinking. Putting your laptop in safe mode may be helpful for troubleshooting going forward.
Update or reinstall drivers
Drivers control how your laptop’s operating system interacts with its hardware. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause your laptop to malfunction, including issues with the Power button. While in safe mode (see previous section), you can update your software—which typically updates your drivers too—or manually update any outdated drivers.
Check out our guide to updating your Lenovo system for help updating your software and drivers.
Perform a system restore or factory reset
If none of the previous steps work, a system restore or factory reset might be the next step. Backup important files to an external drive or cloud storage—a system restore or factory reset will erase all data.
- Enter Safe Mode, and open the Start menu.
- Click Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.
- Select Remove everything to delete all your files, apps, and settings, or select Keep my files to reset just the apps and settings. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete that reset.