When a desktop computer fails, the symptom usually points to a short list of parts. No lights at all suggests the power supply or the cable. Fans spinning with a blank screen suggests memory, the monitor connection or the graphics card. Random restarts suggest heat or the power supply, and a clicking noise suggests a failing drive. The table below matches each symptom to its likely parts and to a safe check you can do before you call a technician.
This guide is for desktops, all-in-one PCs and gaming computers. It is a map, not a diagnosis: several parts can produce the same symptom, and the only way to be sure is to test them. Its purpose is to help you do the sensible checks first, describe the fault clearly and avoid paying to replace the wrong part.
Symptom, likely parts and the first check
| What happens | Parts most likely involved | A safe check first |
|---|---|---|
| No lights, no fans, nothing at all | Wall socket or UPS, power cable, power supply, case power switch | Try another socket without the UPS, check the switch on the back of the power supply and swap the cable |
| Fans spin but the screen stays blank | Monitor cable or input, memory, graphics card, processor, board | Check the monitor's input source and cable, and plug the cable into the graphics card, not the board, if you have one |
| Beeps when it starts | Memory, graphics card or board | Count the beeps and look up the pattern for your board's maker |
| Restarts or shuts down by itself under load | Overheating, power supply, memory | Check for dust and listen for fans that are not spinning |
| Blue screen with an error | Drivers, memory, drive, overheating | Write down the error code or take a photo of it |
| Slow to start or freezes | A failing or full drive, too many startup programs, malware | Check free space on the drive and how many programs start with Windows |
| Clicking or grinding | A hard disk that is failing, or a worn fan | Back up now, then find which part makes the noise |
| Picture glitches or crashes in games | Graphics card heat, drivers, power supply | Update or roll back the graphics driver and watch the temperature |
| Front USB or audio ports dead | Front panel cable, a board header | Try the ports at the back of the computer |
| No internet or Wi-Fi | Driver, network adapter, cable, port | Try another cable or port and restart the router |
Ten-minute checks that are safe to do
- Switch off and unplug the computer, then plug it back in at a different socket without the UPS or extension board.
- Check that the monitor is on the right input and that its cable is firmly seated at both ends.
- Disconnect USB drives, printers and other extras. A faulty device can stop a computer from starting.
- With the computer unplugged, press and hold the power button for about ten seconds to drain stored power.
- If you are comfortable doing it and have a tower, switch off, unplug the power cable and touch the metal case to discharge static. Then open the side panel, reseat one memory stick at a time by pressing it firmly into its slot, and close it again. On an all-in-one, do not open it: skip this step.
- Look for thick dust on the fans and the heatsink, and for a fan that is not turning.
- Listen for beeps and note how many there are.
Never open the power supply itself, even when it is unplugged, because it can hold a charge. If you smell burning, switch the computer off, unplug it and stop. Do not try to start it again until it has been inspected.
When it might be the graphics card
A graphics card fault shows up as no picture with the fans spinning, coloured dots or lines on the screen, games that crash, or a fan on the card that screams. Heat, dust and drivers cause many of these, and a weak power supply can too, so those are checked before the card is blamed. A card that really has failed is replaced or upgraded. We do not repair the graphics chip itself at chip level, and we say so plainly at the inspection. The graphics card repair page shows what we handle and what we do not, and our graphics card problems guide lists the warning signs.
When it might be the motherboard
Suspect the board when memory, drive and power supply have all been ruled out, and the computer still does not start or runs unpredictably. Other signs are dead USB ports, bulging capacitors, burn marks or a smell of burning from one spot. A board fault can sometimes be repaired at component level, and sometimes the board is better replaced, depending on the damage and the age of the machine. Our repair or replace guide and the page on desktop motherboard repair explain the choice.
Gaming PCs need a bit more attention
Gaming computers put the processor, the graphics card and the power supply under heavy load for hours, so heat and power problems show up first. A machine that crashes only in games usually has a thermal or power cause. One that will not start at all follows the same checks as any other desktop. See our guides to a gaming PC that will not boot and to crashes during games, and the gaming PC repair page.
What to tell a technician
A clear description saves time and often money. Note when the fault began and what changed just before it, such as a Windows update, a new part or a power cut. Say what you see and hear, including any beep count or error code, and what you have already tried. If the problem comes and goes, say when it tends to appear.
How computer repair works with us
Book by call or WhatsApp and we collect the computer within 2 hours of the booking. The inspection costs ₹350 and is credited to the bill if you go ahead. You get a written quote that names the part and the work. Most desktop faults are repaired the same day, and board-level work takes two to five days. Every repair carries a 90-day warranty.
Look at computer repair near me to find the nearest branch, or the page on desktop PC repair for what is covered. If it is not turning on at all, our guide to a desktop PC that will not turn on goes through it step by step. For a blank monitor, see PC no display.
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair desktops, all-in-one PCs and gaming PCs?
Yes. We repair desktops, all-in-one computers and gaming PCs, and you can read about each on its service page.
Should I bring the monitor too?
Tell us at booking. A blank screen can be the monitor or the computer, and we may need to test them together to find out which.
How do I know whether it is worth repairing an old PC?
Compare the quote with the cost of a comparable machine and think about how many other parts are near the end of their life. Our guide on repairing an old PC sets out the rule of thumb.
What do the beeps at start-up mean?
Each maker uses its own pattern, so the same count can mean different things. Our beep code guide lists the common ones by brand.
