Where Is The Power Button On An HP All-In-One Desktop?

On HP all-in-one desktops, the power button sits on the back lower-right edge or under the front chin, marked with the ⏻ symbol.

New to an HP all-in-one and can’t find the switch? You’re not alone. HP places the ⏻ button where you won’t bump it by accident, which means it can be tucked around the rear edge or hidden just under the bottom lip. This guide shows you the exact spots to check, how to power on safely, and what to try if it still doesn’t start.

Typical Locations On HP All-In-One Desktops

HP keeps the switch close to the display, but away from everyday hand movements. The most common placements are:

Back, lower-right corner: Reach behind the screen’s right side and feel along the back edge for a small round or pill-shaped button with the ⏻ icon.
Right side edge, near the bottom: A slim button that sits flush with the frame. You’ll feel a faint click.
Under the front chin: A recessed press-switch tucked beneath the bezel. Slide a finger along the bottom lip until you feel it.
Back, lower-left corner: Less common, but used on some Pavilion and 24-inch lines. Sweep both corners if the right side isn’t it.

If you still can’t find it, scan the bezel for the ⏻ symbol, then check that exact area on the underside or rear edge. On many models, the icon is printed on the front while the actual switch sits just behind it.

Fast Way To Find It On Any Model

Stand at the right side of the screen. Reach to the back lower-right edge. Press the small, clicky button you find there.
Feel under the bottom lip. Slide a fingertip along the center and then to the right. Press any recessed spot that feels like a tactile button.
Sweep the left side and back left corner. Some 24-inch and 27-inch lines place it here.
Check for the ⏻ icon. A printed symbol near the bezel usually points to the switch location just behind or under that spot.

Model Family Clues That Speed Things Up

Pavilion All-In-One Lines

These often put the switch on the back lower-right or the right edge. Retail Q&A and HP replies for current Pavilion bundles point users to that back right area or, less often, the back left corner. If you have a Pavilion 24 or 27, start with the rear right sweep, then try the underside of the front chin if you don’t feel a button.

HP 24 / 27 “df/dp/k” Series

User guides and service manuals in this range refer to using the power button and show port layouts that place controls along the edges and back panel. Placement varies by sub-model, but the rear right corner and the underside of the chin remain the common spots.

Business-Oriented All-In-Ones

Business AIOs tend to avoid accidental presses during desk work. That’s why you’ll often find the switch on the back right edge, sometimes slightly recessed. If your unit came from an office, expect a flush button rather than a raised one.

Power-On Tips That Actually Help

Use a flashlight and a quick sweep. Shine light along the right and bottom edges. The ⏻ icon can be tiny.
Listen for the click. A true power switch always has a crisp press. Plastic seams don’t.
Press and release. A short press starts the system. Holding it for five seconds forces a shutdown instead.
Check the cord and brick. Make sure the barrel plug is seated and the adapter LED is on.

If It Won’t Turn On After You Press The Switch

When the button is found but nothing lights up, work through these safe checks:

Confirm outlet power. Plug in a lamp or phone charger to the same outlet.
Reseat the power cable. Fully insert the barrel plug into the PC and the adapter into the wall or surge strip.
Power reset the unit. Unplug the adapter from the wall and the PC. Hold the ⏻ button for 15 seconds to clear residual charge, then reconnect and press once to start. This matches HP’s guidance for a “power reset.”
Strip the setup. Disconnect USB hubs, printers, and external drives. Press the switch again.
Watch for any signs of life. A quick fan spin or LED blink means power is reaching the board, and the issue may be boot-related.

For deeper steps like HP’s hardware diagnostics or Windows power-mode checks, follow the official guides when you’re ready. See the links in the next section.

Safe Power Controls In Windows

Once your AIO is running, set the power button’s action in Windows so it does what you expect every time. In Windows 10/11, you can choose whether a short press sleeps the PC, shuts it down, or does nothing. You can also fine-tune sleep timers, screen-off times, and wake behaviors.

To review those options, open the Windows power settings panel and adjust the plan that fits your desk setup. HP’s support pages outline these settings in plain language and include sleep, hibernate, and shutdown methods you can use from the desktop.

When The Button Feels Stuck Or Loose

Rarely, the mechanical plunger behind the AIO’s front chin or edge can shift or bind. Try these quick checks before you book a repair:

Press at a slight angle. Press from the side as well as straight on. A sticky cap can register from an angle.
Inspect for debris. A crumb or bit of foam near a recessed switch can stop travel. A blast of air may help.
Avoid long holds. Repeated five-second holds can confuse startup if done back-to-back. Press once, then wait.

If the switch never clicks or feels mushy, a power-button board or bracket may be damaged. Many Pavilion units use a small daughterboard for this. Repairs are straightforward for a technician and documented in HP service videos.

Two Official Links You’ll Want Handy

Bookmark these for setup and troubleshooting:

HP power reset steps — how to clear residual charge and recover from no-power symptoms.
HP Windows power options — set what the power switch does and manage sleep/shutdown.

Quick Checks Before You Assume A Fault

Is The Screen Actually Off Or Just Sleeping?

Tap the keyboard or click the mouse. If the desktop wakes but the button didn’t seem to do anything, the unit was sleeping and your input woke it.

Is The Webcam Light On?

Many AIOs have a small LED for the camera. If it’s lit during a “no display” incident, the system might be running but not showing a picture. Try the screen brightness keys or a restart.

Does The Fan Spin Then Stop?

A quick spin followed by silence can point to a boot device issue. Leave accessories unplugged and try again. If you reach the HP logo, press F2 or Esc to enter diagnostics and run a quick test.

Ergonomic Placement: Why HP Hides The Switch A Bit

AIOs sit at the front of the desk. Bumping a face-mounted switch would be easy during routine work. By placing it on the back or under the front lip, HP cuts down on accidental presses while keeping it within reach. That’s why your sweep should always include the rear corners and the underside of the chin.

Where Different Families Tend To Put It (At A Glance)

The placements below match patterns owners report and what HP diagrams show in user and service guides for popular ranges. Use this as a quick map while you check your unit.

Model Family	Common Placement	What To Feel For
Pavilion 24/27 AIO	Back lower-right; sometimes back lower-left	Small round clicky switch; ⏻ icon printed near bezel
HP 24-df / 27-dp Series	Right edge near bottom; or under front chin	Flush pill-button; slight recess under the bottom lip
Business AIO Lines	Back right edge, slightly recessed	Firm tactile click; often minimal labeling

If You Still Can’t Find It, Use These Last-Resort Moves

Scan the exact model ID. On the back panel, look for a string like 24-df0xxx or 27-dp0xxx. Search that ID with “user guide.” Many manuals include a diagram of front, side, and back controls.
Check retail Q&A for your SKU. Big box listings often include quick notes from HP reps pointing to the corner where the switch sits.
Try HP’s virtual assistant and diagnostics. These tools lead you through safe power steps and can confirm a hardware fault if the button works but the unit won’t start.

Good Habits So You Don’t Fight The Switch Next Time

Set a firm shutdown routine. Use Windows shutdown from the Start menu so the next press is a clean start.
Pick a sleep plan that matches your day. If you step away often, set a short screen-off time and a longer sleep time. That way, a quick mouse click wakes it without needing the button.
Keep dust out of recesses. A short burst of air around the chin and edge gaps keeps the button travel crisp.
Avoid resting items against the back corner. Headphones or sticky notes near the rear edge can mask the button and make it harder to press.

Quick Reference: What Each Press Does

Short press: Start the PC, or wake it if sleeping.
Hold 5 seconds: Force power off. Use only when the system is unresponsive.
No response: Try a power reset, then test again with only keyboard and mouse connected.

Recap You Can Follow In Seconds

Feel the back lower-right corner. Press the ⏻ switch if you find it.
Slide a finger under the front chin. Press any recessed button.
Check the right edge near the bottom. Then sweep the left side and back left corner.
If it still won’t start, perform a power reset and review Windows power options using HP’s guides linked above.