If an ASUS laptop or ROG Ally X will not start, ASUS's articles split the cases. If it powers on but boots straight into BIOS, Aptio Setup Utility or MyASUS in UEFI, ASUS points to a failed BIOS update, an EC or RTC reset or a disconnected battery and gives the recovery steps (wait 60 seconds or choose Yes for the automatic update with the charger connected, or use a FAT32 USB stick with the BIOS file).
If it powers on with a black screen after an interrupted BIOS update, the fix is a 40-second power button press for an EC reset. If it does not power on at all, ASUS's charging article applies: use the original adapter and cord, check the jack at the cord, outlet and device ends, charge overnight, then the EC reset, RTC reset or hard reset, and update the BIOS.
Differential
Likely causes of “ASUS laptops will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No power reaching the machine
What separates it There are no lights and the charger does not respond because no power is reaching the machine
How to confirm Use the original ASUS adapter and cord, check all three connection points and try another outlet
- 2
A deeply discharged battery
What separates it The machine has not been charged for a while
How to confirm ASUS says to connect power and leave it charging overnight
- 3
A failed or interrupted BIOS update
What separates it It boots into BIOS or shows a black screen
How to confirm Use the 40-second EC reset, the automatic update or a FAT32 USB BIOS file
- 4
A hardware state
What separates it The lights are on but nothing starts because of a hardware state
How to confirm Do the EC, RTC or hard reset described in ASUS's article
- 5
A hardware fault or swollen battery
What separates it Nothing works after the steps above, or the case is distorted
How to confirm Stop and contact an ASUS service center, since a swollen battery is unsafe
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which ASUS machine you have and the last thing that happened (BIOS update, drop, spill, battery work)
- Whether the charger light, keyboard backlight or fan responds
- What appears, if anything, on the screen
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the power path
ReversibleUse the original adapter and cord, check the jack at each end and try another outlet.
Charge overnight
ReversibleCharge overnight, by leaving it connected overnight, as ASUS says, and then test again to see whether it helped.
EC reset
ReversibleEC reset, by long pressing the power button for 40 seconds, and then trying to start.
Try RTC and hard reset
ReversibleTry RTC and hard reset, by following ASUS's reset article for your model of laptop.
Read the screen
ReversibleRead the screen, and if it shows BIOS or Aptio Setup, follow the failed BIOS update steps.
Try an external monitor
ReversibleTry an external monitor, since a picture there means that the machine is running, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Power path
- Laptops charge from the original ASUS adapter (USB-C or barrel depending on model); the Ally X charges over USB-C. ASUS says a USB-C port must support charging.
- Resets
- EC reset: 40-second power button press. RTC reset and hard reset are in ASUS's reset article. BIOS: F2 with power, or Volume down with power on the handheld.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the ProArt P16 H7606, ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403, Vivobook S 15 S5507, ROG Ally X handheld.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it will not start after an original adapter, an overnight charge and the EC reset, contact an ASUS service center
- !If it smells of burning, is hot or swollen, stop and go to a service center the same day
- !If a BIOS update failed and the recovery steps do not work, book a service check
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Original adapter, connections, overnight charge, EC and RTC resets and BIOS defaults.
Failed BIOS updates and EC and RTC resets.
40-second power button EC reset.
The Zenbook premium ultrabook line.
The Vivobook mainstream laptop line.
The ROG Ally handheld gaming PC line.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is a black screen with the power light the same as not starting?+
Not always. If the light and fans come on but nothing displays, the laptop is running and the problem is the display or graphics; shine a flashlight at the screen and try an external monitor before treating it as a power fault.
What does a forced restart do to my files?+
A forced restart is a hard power-off and does not erase files, but unsaved work in open programs is lost. Hold the power button until the machine switches off, wait, then press it once.
When is it a battery fault rather than a board fault?+
If the laptop starts only when the charger is connected and shuts off when it is removed, the battery is the likely cause. If it never starts with or without the battery charged, the board or its power circuit needs service.
Which adapter should I use?+
ASUS says the original adapter and cord, and not to mix adapters between different ASUS products.
How long is the EC reset?+
ASUS says long-press the power button for 40 seconds.
What if it boots into BIOS every time?+
ASUS says it may follow a failed BIOS update or a reset; wait 60 seconds or choose Yes for the automatic update with the charger connected.
How do I enter BIOS on the Ally X?+
Hold Volume down and press the power button.
Is a black screen the same as a dead machine?+
No. If the lights or fan run but nothing shows, use the external monitor and the black screen page.
Do I need a part number for a repair?+
No. ASUS identifies the machine by model and serial number.