Why does my computer power up for like two seconds then shut off?
A number of potential causes could be to blame including excessive heat, hardware issues, a bad power switch, a reboot loop issue, or even a computer virus. Where to start? Let’s start with excessive heat.
Excessive Computer Heat
If a computer runs too hot, shutdown issues are common. It’s a form of self-preservation. Check to see if your computer’s fan whirs on when you power up the computer? Is it clogged with dust? Most likely. Fans can become so clogged with debris that they can no longer spin. For example, human or pet hair is notorious for stopping computer fans from running. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the debris or have your computer professionally cleaned. This is a good first step for overheated computers. Filetonic Tech Jock Kat DeLong discusses overheated computers in greater detail in this “Overheated Computers” post.
Malfunctioning Power Switch
The power switch could be the culprit as well. A loose connection or a mechanical issue may be powering down your computer. You can inspect the button yourself by first disconnecting the computer from its power source and opening the case. Are the connectors firmly in place? Any broken parts? Contact your computer’s manufacturer for a replacement switch. If you have a laptop, this is an extremely common problem. Your computer repair shop may be able to solder the wires back into position.
Reboot Loops
Does the computer try to reboot when it shuts down? If it’s in a continuous reboot loop, let us know as there are several known issues with reboot loops and different fixes available. For now, you can try resetting the CMOS. This involves opening the computer case and, depending on the type of CMOS you have, either removing the round CMOS battery or setting the “Clear CMOS” jumper on the motherboard from pins 2-3 to pins 1-2. In either case, wait about 30 seconds and then reinsert the battery or move the pins back to their original position.
Computer Viruses
Finally, computer viruses and Trojans can cause all kinds of trouble including power issues. Since your computer never fully turns on, it’s more likely a hardware or mechanical issue rather than a computer virus, but it doesn’t hurt to try booting up from a bootable virus scan CD. You’ll need to make one using a different computer. You can read how to do this by viewing this Filetonic article and scrolling down to the “Running a bootable antivirus product” section.
