The computer won't start without resetting your surge protector.
The computer won't start without resetting your surge protector.
I'm wondering if anyone knows what might be causing this problem. My computer can shut down but can't restart without resetting the surge protector. Everything seems normal—fans spin, lights work, no unusual sounds. When I turn it off and try to power it back on, it looks like it's dead and doesn't respond at all. I think the surge protector might be the culprit, since resetting it fixes the issue. I suspect there are several devices drawing a lot of power, making the PC sensitive to what other items consume from the same strip. I have my main PC, two monitors, a Rodecaster Pro II, internet routers, an Elgato Stream Deck, and a Key Light. The surge protector is a 4320 Joule APC Power Strip connected to a TESSEN smart outlet box on my wall. The plug it uses isn't a smart outlet. It seems the problem likely comes from outside the computer. I'm hoping someone can help identify the cause or suggest tests to check further. If it turns out to be the surge protector, would you recommend a higher capacity model to prevent this?
I think it’s probably the surge protector. If you have another one, you could try testing it with that. Otherwise, it’s unclear how you’d verify it. It would be unusual for your PC to act this way when shutting down, since they usually reset because of excessive power use and then restart to avoid overload.
The surge protector appears fully functional with no visible problems. The lights it emits seem normal, which could mean the issue is specific to the computer. Since computers are often more sensitive to power changes than other devices, this might explain why only the computer is affected while others remain unaffected.