How to Perform a Power Drain

How to Perform a Power Drain

A power drain helps to remove any residual electrical charge from the computer’s components, which can resolve various hardware issues

 Instructions

For Desktop Computers:

  1. Shut Down the Computer:

    • Click on the Start menu, select Power, and then click Shut down.

    • If the computer is unresponsive, press and hold the power button for about 5-10 seconds until it powers off.

  2. Unplug the Power Cable:

    • Disconnect the power cable from the back of the computer.

  3. Disconnect All Peripherals:

    • Remove all connected devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, printers, and monitors.

  4. Hold the Power Button:

    • Press and hold the power button on the front of the computer for about 15-30 seconds. This helps to discharge any remaining power in the system.

  5. Reconnect and Power On:

    • Plug the power cable back in and reconnect any necessary peripherals.

    • Turn on the computer by pressing the power button.

 

For Laptops:

  1. Shut Down the Laptop:

    • Click on the Start menu, select Power, and then click Shut down (can reference screenshot above).

    • If the laptop is unresponsive, press and hold the power button for about 5-10 seconds until it powers off.

  2. Unplug the Power Adapter:

    • Disconnect the power adapter from the laptop.

  3. Remove the Battery (if removable):

    • Turn the laptop over and remove the battery. If the battery is not removable, skip this step.

  4. Hold the Power Button:

    • Press and hold the power button for about 15-30 seconds to discharge any residual power.

  5. Reconnect and Power On:

    • Reinsert the battery (if removed) and plug the power adapter back in.

    • Turn on the laptop by pressing the power button.

Performing a power drain can help resolve issues such as the computer not powering on, random shutdowns, Blue Screen Errors, or other hardware-related problems.

Highlight important information in a panel like this one. To edit this panel's color or style, select one of the options in the menu.

 Related articles