Does your Windows PC boot after a few seconds of pressing the power button? This happens because the hardware devices take time to initialize once the power supply unit distributes the power to the system’s hardware devices. In this post, we will share how you can fix the problem where the PC is taking 30 to 40 seconds to boot instead of less than a second.
Why PC Won’t Always Boot?
- The BIOS Flashback button might be stuck due to improper assembly.
- Power button delay can be set in BIOS/UEFI settings to give other components more time to power up.
- A defective power supply unit or slow memory training process in new AM5 motherboards could also cause a delay.
- Memory training optimizes system settings for effective use of physical memory.
Fix: Windows PC Boots After a Few Seconds of Pressing the Power Button
Since configuration issues in the BIOS/UEFI, as well as improper positioning of the hardware components, can lead to the said problem, checking the same and correcting them can be the best possible solution for the problem, as detailed below:
- Reset BIOS or UEFI Flashback Button
- Change the Power Button Delay option
- Change Memory Training Settings
- Replace Power Supply Unit
1] Reset BIOS or UEFI Flashback Button
PCs, especially home-assembled ones, may have their hardware components improperly placed. If they are not correctly lined up, the BIOS Flashback button can be depressed, especially by the cabinet or the I/O shield. This can be a primary reason for the problem encountered. Hence, a thorough check to ensure the components are not overlapping can ensure uninterrupted hardware functioning.
2] Change the Power Button Delay Option In BIOS or UEFI
Many BIOS have an option to delay the Power On Self-Test (POST) after the power button is pressed. Usually found in your BIOS or UEFI utility’s Power Management/Power-On section, the system might take a while to start if the option is enabled. Hence, disabling the same, if enabled, can be a possible solution. To do so,
- Enter the BIOS by pressing the concerned key after switching on the system.
- Navigate to Advanced > Power-On Options > POST Delay (in seconds).
- Set the delay to NONE.
- Save the changes made and restart the system.
Note: The interface or the option names may vary by manufacturer.
Read: How to Update BIOS or UEFI on Windows PC
3] Change Memory Training Settings
Systems running on AM5 platforms tend to execute memory training every time the system boots, which can take up a considerable amount of time ( 15-30 seconds) before the system starts responding. Hence, if a system takes a while to boot after the power button is pressed, it can also be due to the abovementioned cause. In such cases, the memory training option can be TURNED OFF as a possible step towards resolving the problem. To do so,
- Enter BIOS/UEFI by pressing the concerned key after switching on the system.
- Click on the Settings Tab once the interface comes up and DISABLE the Memory Context Restore option under DDR Memory Features ( options may vary with the manufacturer’s version).
- Save the changes and EXIT the BIOS to restart the computer and allow the changes to take effect.
Note: Disabling the memory training option might lead to instability in the system. Hence, it is advisable to consult an expert before proceeding with the above procedure.
4] Replace Power Supply
As discussed earlier, the PC’s power supply unit distributes power to all the hardware components. If all the above steps fail to resolve the issue, replacing a faulty power supply unit can ensure that a steady power supply is distributed to the devices, thereby correcting the problem of delayed startup.
I hope the post was easy to follow and that you were able to fix the PC’s delayed power issue.