A Quick Guide to the 6 Solutions for Fixing a Computer That Turns On But Has No Signal to the Monitor:

User Scenario:
This morning, I booted up my computer to tackle some crucial office tasks, but the display wouldn't activate. It was functioning perfectly fine last night. The computer seems to be on, but there's no signal reaching the monitor, which is immensely frustrating since I have a lot of work to complete and am unsure how to get the monitor to function normally.

The computer powers on but doesn't display any signal on the monitor; this is a prevalent issue that many Windows users encounter recently. Computers are indispensable tools for individuals, particularly for professionals, and it can be immensely frustrating when they start malfunctioning unexpectedly.

This error could be caused by various factors, including an unstable connection, a corrupted monitor, outdated drivers, or deteriorating hardware condition, among others.

Computer turns on but no signal to monitor

Don't worry if you're encountering the same issue, as this article presents 6 effective solutions to resolve the problem where the computer turns on but doesn't send a signal to the monitor.

6 Solutions to Quickly Resolve Monitor No Signal Issue

We've compiled a list of six efficient solutions to promptly fix the issue of a computer turning on but having no display, so you can get back to your regular work routine.

(1) Reconnect or Replace HDMI Cable

You can inspect the HDMI cables to check if the power supply and monitor connection are securely connected. A faulty or loose cable, or an issue with the HDMI or display port, can prevent your monitor from functioning. Likewise, if your laptop turns on but displays a black screen due to hinge problems.

Inspect ports and cables

Reattach the HDMI cable and inspect it for any damage; replace it if necessary. Attempt to use different ports and verify if the monitor is functioning correctly.

(2) Check the Monitor Input Source Condition

When manufacturing companies produce monitors with multiple input sources, it becomes challenging to connect to the right source. Plugging the monitor into the incorrect input source can lead to such errors.

Instructions for checking the correct input source:

Step 1: Ensure that both the PC and monitor are powered on with their respective power supplies.

Step 2: Click on the menu button on your monitor screen.

Step 3: Navigate to the Input Source and select the appropriate input source. If your device is connected to the monitor via HDMI, set the input source as HDMI.

(3) Update the Corresponding Driver

Suitable display adapters or graphics cards are crucial for your display to function correctly. If your display adapter is incapable of supporting multiple monitors or the configured resolution of your monitor, it will fail to initialize the monitor display, resulting in the computer turning on but with no signal to the monitor.

display adapters

You can either update your display adapters using Device Manager or adjust your display resolution to match the adapter's capabilities.

(4) Check the Computer Hardware Condition

The computer hardware, with the assistance of drivers installed on your device, interacts with the software and executes programs as instructed. If any components of the hardware are malfunctioning or loosely connected, the system may misbehave and result in a "no signal" display on the monitor. Below are steps for conducting a comprehensive diagnostic check on computer hardware issues: 1. **Power Supply Check**: Ensure that all power cords are properly connected and the power supply is functioning correctly. Try using another power outlet or a power strip to rule out any electrical issues. 2. **Monitor Connection Inspection**: Check if the monitor cable is securely attached to both the monitor and the computer's video output port (e.g., VGA, HDMI, DVI). If possible, test the monitor with another device to confirm its functionality. 3. **CPU and RAM**: Verify that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Random Access Memory (RAM) are seated correctly in their respective slots. Consult your motherboard manual for proper insertion and removal procedures. 4. **Graphics Card**: If you have a dedicated graphics card, ensure it is properly inserted into the PCI-E slot and all power connectors are connected. Restart the computer after making any changes. 5. **Internal Components**: Open the computer case and inspect for any loose or damaged cables, cards, or other components. Make sure all fans are functioning to prevent overheating. 6. **Boot Sequence**: Enter the BIOS settings by pressing the designated key (usually F2, F10, or Del) during startup. Check the boot order to ensure the hard drive is selected as the first boot device. 7. **Hard Drive and Memory Diagnostics**: Most computers have built-in tools to test the hard drive and RAM. Access these through the BIOS or use external software like Memtest86 for memory testing. 8. **Beep Codes**: Listen for any beep codes emitted during startup. These codes can indicate specific hardware issues; consult your motherboard manual for their meanings. 9. **System Restore**: If the computer does boot up but experiences issues, try performing a system restore to a point when the computer was known to be functioning correctly. 10. **Professional Assistance**: If the above steps fail to resolve the issue, it may be time to seek professional help from a computer repair service or certified technician. Remember to ground yourself before handling internal components to avoid static discharge damage. Always consult your computer's user manual or manufacturer's website for specific instructions and troubleshooting guidance.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue box. Type perfmon /report and press Enter to run the utility.

Run the perform/report command in the Run dialog box

Step 2: The software collects data for more than 60 seconds, then displays the Diagnostic results. To proceed, click on the Diagnostic Results section to see how your computer components are performing in each subsystem.

A comprehensive diagnostic check of the computer hardware

(5) Check the Screen Condition

You can also determine the issue by observing the screen's behavior. When you power on your computer, if the monitor is turned on but the display remains unchanged, the problem might not be with the monitor itself. Upon turning it on, if the screen displays some information and then goes blank, the issue could potentially be with the operating system (OS). Various symptoms can indicate different scenarios.

You can attempt to reinstall the operating system, adjust the display resolutions, or connect a compatible monitor to troubleshoot the issue. This problem, where the computer powers on but no signal is detected by the monitor, often occurs when you've recently replaced an old monitor with a new one.

(6) Examine Monitor on other Devices

If the cables and display adapters are functioning correctly, the computer's hardware is undamaged, and you're still encountering the issue, the problem could lie with the monitor or the device. To determine the cause of the 'computer turns on but no signal to monitor' problem, you can attempt to test your monitor with other devices.

Replace your monitor with another one connected to your computer. If the new monitor functions properly, the issue likely lies with the original monitor; have it repaired. If the problem persists with your computer, the causes and solutions for a computer that won't turn on can vary due to numerous reasons.

[Bonus Tip] Regularly Backup Your Computer to Avoid Any Issues

When fixing problems with your computer or display, you might need to mess with some settings and files. This could put your data at risk, so backing up your important stuff beforehand is really smart. For any kind of data backup, the go-to software is Todo Backup.

Tools Todo Backup is a professional and reliable solution for efficient and secure data backup. It provides a range of advanced backup features including system backup, disk/partition backup, file backup, and more. The user-friendly backup management system, combined with improved efficiency, enables you to schedule backups regularly automatically. Additionally, it offers cloning functionality with a bootable disk. With its intuitive interface, even beginners can easily complete the entire backup process by following the user guide in no time.

The main features of Todo Backup include:

    • Award-Winning automatic backup solutions for every scenario.
    • Trustworthy partition/disk cloning software for upgrades, backups, and disk replication.
    • Efficient and secure backup for disks, systems, and files.
    • Sophisticated backup feature to back up specific sections of hard drives.
    • Provides multi-path backup and up to 250GB of free cloud storage with the basic plan.

Bottom line.

The reasons behind "computer turns on but no signal to monitor" can vary due to diverse factors such as the monitor, computer, or the operating system itself. You'll need to perform checks to identify the problem and resolve it. This article outlines potential solutions to fix "computer turns on but no signal to monitor" errors and provides valuable assistance in the form of a Todo Backup tool, which aids in addressing data backup and data loss issues on your computer.

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"Computer Turns On But No Signal To Monitor" FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked FAQs regarding the issue where a computer turns on but doesn't send a signal to the monitor. If you have similar questions, hopefully, these will assist you.

1. Why does my monitor display "No Signal" when my PC is turned on?

"No Signal" on the monitor means that it is not detecting any video input to display. This could be due to several factors:

    • Issues with the cable connecting the power, PC, and monitor.
    • Faulty or damaged display drivers.

2. How do I resolve the issue of my monitor not being detected?

If everything is properly connected and your monitor remains undetected, the issue might lie with the drivers. To resolve this problem, attempt the following solutions:

    1. Roll back the driver update to the previous version.
    2. Update the drivers.
    3. Change your monitor refresh rate.

3. How do I force the monitor to detect? To force your monitor to detect a signal, follow these steps: 1. Check Connections: Ensure that all cables (HDMI, VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort) are securely connected between your computer and the monitor. 2. Cycle Power: Turn off both your computer and monitor, then turn them back on in this order: first, turn on the monitor, wait for it to power up completely, and then turn on your computer. 3. Change Display Settings: On your computer, access the display settings menu (usually found in the Control Panel or System Preferences, depending on your operating system). Try switching between available displays or selecting "Detect Monitors" or "Detect Displays" to prompt your computer to search for connected monitors. 4. Use Display Adapter Utility: If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, download and use their respective control panel software (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Catalyst Control Center) to detect and configure the monitor. 5. Update Drivers: Make sure your graphics card drivers are up to date. Visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers. 6. Safe Mode: Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking to see if the monitor is detected there. This can help determine if there's an issue with a recently installed software or driver. 7. Reset BIOS: If none of the above works, try resetting your computer's BIOS to its default settings by restarting and entering the BIOS setup during boot (usually by pressing F2, F10, DELETE, or another key depending on your system). If your monitor still doesn't detect a signal after trying these steps, there might be an issue with the hardware, and you should contact the manufacturer or a professional for further assistance.

If you're unable to detect the monitor, first boot your computer into Safe Mode and proceed with the following steps:

    1. Navigate to Settings > System > Display. 2. Under the Multiple Displays section, click on the Detect button.