How to Turn On a Windows 11 Computer
What you need: A Windows 11 computer that is turned off. If it has a power cord or a charger, plug it into a wall outlet. On a desktop computer with a separate screen, plug the screen into a wall outlet too.
Steps
- If the computer is a laptop, open the lid: lift the top half until the screen faces you. If the screen lights up, go to step 4.
- Find the power button. It often shows the power symbol, a circle with a short line at the top. On a laptop, it is usually at the top-right corner of the keyboard or on one side of the computer. On a desktop computer, it is on the computer itself, usually on the front or top of the box the screen is plugged into, not on the screen. If the screen and the computer are one piece, look on its back or sides.
- Press the power button once and let go right away. Do not hold it down, because holding it for several seconds turns the computer off again.
- Wait while the computer starts. A logo appears, often with small spinning dots below it. This can take a minute or two. If a message says Windows is working on updates, keep waiting: the computer may restart by itself, and this can take longer.
- If the screen is still dark after two minutes, look at what kind of computer you have. On a desktop computer with a separate screen, press the screen's own power button once (usually on its front edge or underneath). On a laptop, plug in its charger, wait 15 minutes, then press the computer's power button once again.
- Wait until you see the lock screen (a large clock over a picture), the sign-in screen (your name with a box for your PIN or password) or the desktop (with the taskbar along the bottom of the screen). If you see the lock screen or the sign-in screen, sign in by following How to Sign In to a Windows 11 Computer to start using the computer.
Expected result: The computer is on and shows the lock screen, the sign-in screen or the desktop.