If your Lenovo Yoga won’t power on, do a hard reset, check power and charger, then try the Novo or pinhole reset before repair.
Start Here: What To Try First
Power issues on a Lenovo Yoga often trace to a drained battery, a picky USB-C charger, a stuck controller, or a black screen while the board runs.
Unplug all accessories. Leave only AC power. If the laptop wakes, add devices back one at a time.
Quick Diagnosis Table
Match a symptom to a next step.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | First Step |
|---|---|---|
| No lights at all | Dead battery or no input power | Try known good 65W USB-C charger and port swap |
| Power LED blinks, no display | Stuck controller or display hang | Hold power 10–15s, then pinhole reset |
| Orange charge light only | Low battery or shipping mode | Charge 15–30 min, then long-press power |
| Fans spin, screen stays black | Panel, cable, or driver | Hard reset, then Safe Mode or external display |
| Boot loops to logo | Firmware or OS fault | Enter Novo menu, pick BIOS or recovery |
Power And Charger Checks
Many Yoga models charge over USB-C. Some have two USB-C ports, but only one accepts power on a given board. Try both sides. Use a Lenovo 65W or higher adapter or a PD charger that delivers 20V. Swap the cable with one rated for laptops. Look for a snug click and no wobble.
Leave the laptop on charge for 15 minutes. The charge light should stay steady. If it blinks or stays dark, move to another outlet. If a power strip is in play, go direct to the wall.
Hard Reset: Clear A Stuck Controller
This clears the embedded controller and power rails. Hold the power button for 10–15 seconds. The LED should go off. Wait five seconds and press power once. If nothing changes, repeat once more while AC is unplugged, then plug back in and press power again.
Use The Pinhole Reset Or Novo Button
Many Yoga units with an internal battery include a small hole on the base. It may be marked with a curved arrow icon. Straighten a paper clip. With AC removed, press the pin for two to five seconds. Reconnect AC and press power.
Some models carry a Novo button. It opens a menu for BIOS Setup and system recovery. Power off fully. Press the Novo button with a pin until the menu appears. From there, pick BIOS Setup to load defaults or pick System Recovery to launch Windows options.
Close Variation: Lenovo Yoga Not Turning On Troubleshooting
If the Lenovo Yoga is not turning on, walk these checks in order. First, try AC only. Second, do a hard reset. Third, use the pinhole reset. Fourth, open the Novo menu for BIOS defaults. Fifth, move to display checks and Windows recovery.
Windows Black Screen Path
A powered Yoga can sit at a black panel while the fans run. Tap Caps Lock and watch for the LED on the key. If it toggles, the system is alive. Connect an external monitor over HDMI or USB-C DisplayPort. If the external shows video, update or roll back the graphics driver later.
To reach Windows recovery on a blank screen, force power off by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then power on and interrupt boot two to three times. Windows opens the recovery screen. Choose Startup Settings and pick Safe Mode with Networking. In Safe Mode, remove the last display driver update or install the latest one from Lenovo.
Battery Shipping Mode And Deep Discharge
A new or serviced Yoga can ship with the battery latched off. Keep AC connected for 15–30 minutes, then press and hold power for 10 seconds. If the light turns white and the screen stays dark, run the hard reset again and try the pinhole.
Ports, Lights, And Clues
The charge light gives clues. Solid white means charged. Solid amber means charging. Rapid blinking can mark a fault. Some units show a tiny white light on the power key once the board wakes. If no light ever appears, treat it as no input power or a board fault.
Try all USB-C ports. Many Yogas accept power on only one side. Bent contacts can block delivery. A fresh cable often fixes handshakes.
When The Novo Menu Appears
Pick BIOS Setup. Load defaults, save, and exit. This clears odd states after firmware updates. Back at the menu, pick System Recovery to reach Windows tools. You can run Startup Repair, go back to a restore point, or roll back a feature update.
Helpful Official References
Review Lenovo’s no power guide and Windows blank screen steps here: Lenovo no power steps and Windows blank screen guide.
Second Table: Port And Power Reference
| Item | Where You See It | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| 65W USB-C PD | Brick label shows 20V 3.25A | Use this or higher; laptop may reject 30W phone bricks |
| Pinhole reset | Small hole on base with arrow icon | Press 2–5s with clip; then reconnect power |
| Novo button | Small recessed side or base switch | Press to open menu for BIOS and recovery |
| Charge LED amber | Front edge or near port | Let it charge, then try power again |
| External display | HDMI or USB-C | Test panel. If external works, fix drivers later |
Safe Mode And Driver Steps
In Safe Mode, open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and use Roll Back Driver. If that option is missing, choose Uninstall device and tick the removal box. Restart and install the Lenovo driver for your model.
Battery And Static Drain Tips
If the Yoga has a removable battery latch, release it, remove the battery, and hold the power key for 15 seconds to drain charge. Most units have an internal pack, so the pinhole reset acts as the cut off. If you opened the base for cleaning, reseat the battery ribbon before testing again.
Firmware And BIOS Notes
If the issue began after a BIOS update, use the Novo menu, load BIOS defaults, save, and exit. If it still stalls, leave AC connected for five minutes and repeat the hard reset.
What To Try Before Service
Try a second 65W or 100W USB-C charger and a different cable. Try both sides. Remove memory cards and USB dongles. Disconnect docks. Check for sticky keys. A stuck Volume or Novo switch can block boot. Test with the lid past 90 degrees to rule out a hinge sensor quirk. If you hear fans but see no image and no external video, collect the serial number and plan for service.
When To Seek Repair
Stop and book a repair when no LED turns on with a known good charger, when the charge light blinks rapidly on every port, when the pinhole reset fails, or when the laptop shuts off within seconds even on AC. Back up data if the SSD is user accessible. A repair shop can move the SSD to a reader for rescue.
Why These Steps Work
USB-C power delivery can fail handshakes. Port and cable swaps refresh that link. Hard and pinhole resets clear power logic. The Novo menu proves the board can post. Safe Mode proves Windows can boot. These moves narrow the fault with low risk.
Fast Checklist You Can Print
Before You Begin
- Remove accessories. Leave only AC.
- Use a 65W or higher USB-C charger and a laptop-grade cable.
- Wait 15 minutes on charge before the first long press.
Core Steps
- Long-press power for 10–15 seconds. Press once to try again.
- Press the pinhole reset for two to five seconds. Reconnect AC. Press power.
- Open the Novo menu. Load BIOS defaults. Try System Recovery if Windows fails.
- If the screen stays black, test an external monitor, then boot Safe Mode.
Next Moves
- Swap charger, cable, and outlet. Try both USB-C ports.
- Remove docks, cards, and USB devices. Check for sticky buttons.
- Plan for repair if no LED ever lights or the charge LED blinks fast.