My Lenovo Legion Go won’t start even after multiple attempts. It was working fine yesterday, and now I’m not sure if it’s a hardware or software issue. Can anyone guide me through troubleshooting or share advice on what to check or do next?
Have you tried holding down the power button for like, 15-20 seconds? Sometimes these things just need a hard reset. Could be stuck in some kind of weird state. If that doesn’t work, maybe check if it’s charging? Even though it was fine yesterday, you never know—batteries can be sneaky little jerks sometimes.
Also, don’t freak out yet. If it isn’t power-related, could be a software issue, like a corrupted boot sequence or some funky driver update during the night (thank you, Windows). If you’re feeling brave, try getting into the BIOS/startup menu by spamming the F2 or F12 key when you try to boot. If you can access that, it’s probably not hardware-related.
Still no luck? Oh boy. Maybe disconnect everything—external drives, peripherals, SD cards—basically unplug the entire universe from it to rule out something causing interference. Worst case, could be something like a hardware failure (ugh, motherboard or SSD issues). At that point, you might wanna hit up Lenovo support or check your warranty.
At least it didn’t explode, I guess? Small mercies.
Alright, first off, I kind of disagree a bit with @sterrenkijker on the ‘hold the power button for 15-20 seconds’ thing. While it might seem like a miracle fix, sometimes doing that too much can mess with your hardware over time—though, I get how desperation kicks in. Anyway, here’s another angle:
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Power Cord and Outlet Issue: Maybe your charger or outlet decided to take a vacation. Check if the charging light comes on. No light? Swap cables, outlets, or even try with a different charger if you can borrow one. Batteries are sneaky, yeah, but chargers can be evil too.
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RAM Reseating: Depending on your exact model, your device might have accessible RAM. It’s rare, but sometimes loose RAM causes boot issues. Pop it open (if you’re confident), and reseat the RAM. Do not go yanking stuff around like you’re fixing a toaster.
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Disconnect Internal Battery: Some devices let you disconnect the internal battery temporarily. If yours does, disconnect it for a few minutes, then reconnect. It’s like slapping it awake but gentler.
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External Monitor Test: Connect it to an external monitor via HDMI or USB-C. Just in case the screen itself has quit on life. If it displays on the monitor, the issue isn’t the laptop not starting, it’s your display.
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‘Breadboarding’: Pull absolutely everything detachable out—SSD, hard drive, peripherals… heck, even your SD card if one’s jammed in there. Then try booting with the bare minimum connected. If it boots, add stuff back one at a time until you find the culprit.
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CMOS Reset: A long shot, but if you can’t even get to the BIOS menu, your CMOS settings might be borked. Removing the CMOS battery (or pressing a specific reset button if your device has one) could clear some weird firmware glitch.
If none of this works and you’re still staring at a lifeless machine, it’s quite possible hardware has gone rogue. Motherboard, SSD, or even something obscure like the power IC chip could be fried. At that point, you’re looking at service repair or warranty claims. Wouldn’t blame you for throwing a tantrum first, though.
Alright, here’s a fresh perspective to toss into the mix! While both @cacadordeestrelas and @sterrenkijker brought up solid troubleshooting steps for your Lenovo Legion Go, I’d tweak or push some ideas further (or in a slightly different direction) without overlapping entirely:
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Thermal Safety Lock: Sometimes, laptops won’t boot if they’ve overheated previously. Did you game hard before shutting it down yesterday? Dust in vents can trap heat, leading to thermal issues. Try cooling it down—leave it powered off in a ventilated space for 30 minutes, then attempt a restart. (No ice packs, please; laptops don’t appreciate being water-cooled without consent.)
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Audio Cue Diagnostic: When you press the power button, listen carefully for any beeps or fan noises. Beeps can be codes for specific errors (e.g., RAM, GPU, etc.). Cross-reference them with Lenovo’s beep code documentation—great detail can point you in the right direction. No sound at all? That tells us something too… like maybe it’s not even POSTing (Power-On Self-Test).
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USB Recovery Drive: If you suspect the issue is with the software (e.g., corrupted OS), and @cacadordeestrelas’ BIOS trick either isn’t doable or didn’t work, create a Windows recovery USB using another device. Plug it into your Legion Go and try booting from it (toggle boot order in BIOS). It could allow you to reinstall Windows or at least enter a diagnostics mode.
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Power Drain Option: Unplug and remove your external power, then press and hold the power button for about 30-60 seconds (this drains residual energy from components). I know @sterrenkijker wasn’t crazy on hardcore button mashing, but this longer method can help resolve electrical issues internally without causing strain on hardware.
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Lenovo Companion App/Diagnostics USB: If it boots eventually, get the Lenovo diagnostics software ASAP and run a complete scan. It’s free, and while not perfect, it’s optimized for detecting hardware issues specific to Lenovo systems like this.
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Keyboard Function Lockup: Sometimes, stuck keys (like Ctrl, Shift, or Function) can confuse the system at startup. Flip the device, give the keys a quick check for any physical obstruction or dirt, and retry booting.
Now, I’ll throw this out there: Lenovo Legion Go is known for its high power, innovative gaming design, and solid build, but no product is without flaws. Compared to competitors like ASUS ROG Flow or Dell G Series (similar portable gaming beasts), Lenovo sometimes falls short with potential bloatware and power management quirks—exactly the kind of stuff that might be involved here. ASUS ROG devices, for instance, often include dedicated BIOS buttons, which could’ve simplified your situation.
Pros for Legion Go:
- Outstanding performance while gaming.
- Portable and versatile design.
Cons:
- Slightly finicky power and OS integration.
- Limited hardware utilities compared to competition.
To wrap up: if none of this gets you results, store your hopes in Lenovo support or warranty service, especially if you suspect internal hardware failure. If it’s still within warranty, let Lenovo’s techs handle it—but back up any data if possible before letting someone tinker!