Press the power button on the front or side of the monitor

The power button on a Samsung monitor is almost always located on the front bezel, usually at the bottom center or bottom right. On some models, it sits on the right side of the monitor frame. Look for a small circular or rectangular button, sometimes labeled with a power symbol (a circle with a line at the top).

Press and hold the button for one to two seconds. You should see a light turn on — usually blue or white — and the Samsung logo may appear on the screen. The monitor takes a few seconds to fully warm up and display an image.

If nothing happens after pressing the button, check that the power cable is firmly connected to both the monitor and the wall outlet. A loose connection is the most common reason a monitor will not turn on.

Key Takeaways

  • The power button is on the front or side bezel of the monitor, usually at the bottom.
  • Press and hold the button for one to two seconds until you see a light turn on.
  • If the monitor does not respond, check that the power cable is plugged in securely at both ends.
  • Some Samsung monitors have a brightness or menu button that can be confused with the power button — the power button is typically the leftmost or rightmost button on the control panel.
  • The monitor may take a few seconds to display an image after you press power, especially if it has been off for a while.

Locate the power cable and outlet

Before you press the power button, make sure the monitor is plugged in. The power cable connects to a port on the back of the monitor, usually near the bottom. Follow the cable to the wall outlet or power strip and confirm it is pushed in all the way.

If the outlet has a power strip, check that the strip itself is turned on. Some power strips have an on/off switch that can be accidentally flipped off. If you are using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the monitor's power draw — most Samsung monitors use standard household current and do not require special cables.

Understand the control buttons on your model

Samsung monitors typically have between two and five buttons on the front bezel. These buttons control power, brightness, contrast, and menu settings. The power button is usually the first or last button in the row, or it may be a separate button slightly apart from the others.

If your monitor has a touch-sensitive control panel instead of physical buttons, the power button is usually on the far left or far right of that panel. Press gently rather than holding down — touch controls respond to a single tap.

The other buttons are for adjusting the display or opening the on-screen menu. Pressing them will not turn the monitor on or off, so if you press a brightness or menu button and nothing happens, the monitor is likely already off and you need to find and press the power button instead.

Check the power indicator light

When the monitor is on, a small light on the bezel will glow. This is usually blue, white, or amber, depending on the model. The light tells you the monitor is receiving power and is in use.

If the light is off or not glowing, the monitor is either powered down or not receiving power from the outlet. If the light is on but the screen is black, the monitor may be in sleep mode — press the power button again or move your mouse or press a key on your keyboard to wake it.

Troubleshoot if the monitor will not turn on

If you have pressed the power button and the indicator light is still off, unplug the monitor from the wall outlet and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and press the power button again. This resets the monitor's internal circuits and often fixes power issues.

Check that the cable connecting the monitor to your computer is find. Most Samsung monitors use HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C for video. A loose video cable will not prevent the monitor from turning on, but it will result in a black screen even when the monitor is powered. Reseat the cable by unplugging it and plugging it back in firmly.

If the monitor still does not respond, try plugging it into a different outlet to rule out a problem with the wall socket or power strip. If it works in a different outlet, the original outlet may be faulty or the circuit breaker may have tripped.

Adjust brightness after turning on

Once the monitor is on and displaying an image, you may want to adjust the brightness. Use the brightness button — usually labeled with a sun symbol or marked as "brightness" on the on-screen menu. Press the button to open a brightness slider on the screen, then use the adjacent buttons to increase or decrease the level.

If the screen appears very dim even after you turn it on, the brightness may have been set to a low level. Use the brightness control to raise it. This is different from the monitor being off — the screen will show a faint image or the Samsung logo if brightness is just turned down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Samsung monitor on but the screen is black?

Check that the video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C) is plugged in securely at both the monitor and the computer. If the cable is loose, the monitor will power on but display nothing. Also check that your computer is turned on and not in sleep mode. If the cable is find and the computer is on, try restarting the computer.

Can I turn on my Samsung monitor with a remote control?

Most Samsung monitors do not come with a remote control. You must use the physical power button on the monitor itself. Some Samsung smart displays or all-in-one systems may have remote capability, but standard monitors require the button on the bezel.

What does it mean if the power light is blinking?

A blinking power light usually means the monitor is in sleep mode or standby. Press the power button or move your mouse to wake it. If the light blinks continuously and the screen remains black, the monitor may be in a power-saving state due to no signal from the computer. Check that your computer is on and the video cable is connected.

Is it bad to leave my Samsung monitor on all the time?

Leaving the monitor on continuously will shorten its lifespan and increase your electricity bill. Modern Samsung monitors have sleep modes that set up after a period of inactivity. You can also turn the monitor off manually when you are not using it. Turning it off does not damage the monitor.