How to Turn on ASUS Monitor (2026 Complete Guide)

Last updated: July 19, 2026 • Estimated reading time: 10 min

Turning on an ASUS monitor might seem like it should be the simplest thing in the world, but when the screen stays dark and you’re not sure why, it can quickly become frustrating. Whether you’ve just unboxed a brand-new ASUS monitor, reconnected an existing one, or you’re troubleshooting a display that won’t power on, this guide covers everything you need to know. We’ll walk through the standard power-on process, alternative methods, and troubleshooting steps for when things don’t go as expected.

ASUS monitors span a wide range of models — from budget office displays to premium ROG gaming monitors — and while the basic power-on process is similar across the lineup, there are some model-specific nuances worth knowing. Let’s get your ASUS monitor up and running.

Table of Contents

• Standard Power-On Process
• Using the Joystick Control
• HDMI-CEC Auto Power On
• Auto Power Recovery After Outage
• DDC/CI Software Control
• Keyboard and Mouse Wake
• Troubleshooting: Monitor Won’t Turn On
• Understanding Power LED Indicators
• Frequently Asked Questions

Standard Power-On Process

The most common way to turn on an ASUS monitor is using the physical power button or joystick on the monitor itself. Here’s the standard process:

1. Ensure the power cable is securely connected to both the monitor and a working wall outlet or power strip.
2. Locate the power button on your monitor. Depending on the model, this may be:
   • A physical button on the front bezel (usually bottom-right corner)
   • A joystick nub on the back of the monitor (common on ROG and ProArt models)
   • A touch-sensitive area on the front bezel (some premium models)
3. Press the power button once. You should see the ASUS logo briefly appear on the screen, followed by the display showing your connected input source.
4. If nothing appears, check the power LED indicator to see if the monitor is receiving power.

Using the Joystick Control

Many ASUS monitors, particularly the ROG (Republic of Gamers) and ProArt series, feature a small joystick nub on the back instead of traditional buttons. This joystick serves as both the power button and the OSD navigation tool.

To use the joystick:

1. Reach behind the monitor (usually bottom-center or bottom-right on the back panel).
2. Find the small joystick nub — it protrudes slightly from the surface.
3. Press inward (push toward the screen) to toggle power on or off.
4. To navigate the OSD menu, push the joystick left, right, up, or down.
5. Press inward again to select menu options.

The joystick design is intuitive once you get used to it, but if you’re coming from a traditional button-based monitor, it can take a day or two to build the muscle memory.

HDMI-CEC Auto Power On

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows your monitor to turn on automatically when a connected device powers up. ASUS calls their CEC implementation “ASUS CEC” or simply “HDMI CEC” in the OSD menu.

How to Enable HDMI-CEC on ASUS Monitors:

1. Turn on your monitor using the power button or joystick.
2. Open the OSD menu (press the joystick or menu button).
3. Navigate to System Setup or System.
4. Find the HDMI CEC option and set it to On.
5. Save and exit the OSD menu.

Once enabled, turning on your PC, game console, or other HDMI source device should automatically wake the monitor. This is particularly convenient if your monitor’s power button is hard to reach or if you want a seamless single-device experience.

For optimal performance, ensure you’re connecting your display correctly. Check our guide on whether to plug your monitor into the graphics card or motherboard to make sure you’re getting the best signal path. If you need help with other monitor brands, our article on how to restart a Dell monitor covers universal troubleshooting steps that apply to ASUS as well.

Auto Power Recovery After Outage

ASUS monitors include a power recovery feature that automatically turns the monitor back on when AC power is restored. This is useful during power outages or if you use a smart plug to control power to the monitor.

Enabling Power Recovery:

1. Open the OSD menu.
2. Navigate to System Setup > Power or System > Power Recovery.
3. Set AC Power Recovery or Power Off Resume to On.

With this setting enabled, the monitor will automatically power on whenever power is restored — whether from a power outage, plugging in the power cable, or toggling a smart plug or power strip switch.

DDC/CI Software Control

DDC/CI (Display Data Channel Command Interface) allows software on your PC to communicate with your monitor over the video cable. This can be used to control power, brightness, contrast, and other settings.

Using DDC/CI on ASUS Monitors:

1. Enable DDC/CI in the OSD menu (usually under System Setup > DDC/CI).
2. Install a DDC/CI control application such as:
   • MonitorControl (free, open-source, available for Windows and macOS)
   • ControlMyMonitor by NirSoft (free, Windows only)
   • Twinkle Tray (free, Windows only, focused on brightness but includes power control)
3. Open the application and select your ASUS monitor.
4. Use the power toggle option (VCP code D6) to turn the monitor on or off.

Note that DDC/CI requires an active video connection between your PC and the monitor. If the monitor is fully powered off (not in standby), DDC/CI may not be able to wake it — you may need to rely on HDMI-CEC or the power recovery feature instead.

Keyboard and Mouse Wake

If your ASUS monitor has gone to sleep (standby mode) and the screen is black, you can wake it using your keyboard or mouse:

1. Press any key on your keyboard.
2. Move or click your mouse.
3. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
4. Press the Windows key.

These actions send a wake signal from your PC through the video cable, prompting the monitor to exit sleep mode. This works because the monitor isn’t fully powered off — it’s in a low-power standby state, listening for a signal.

Troubleshooting: Monitor Won’t Turn On

If your ASUS monitor won’t turn on despite following the standard process, work through these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check the Power Connection

• Ensure the power cable is firmly connected to both the monitor and the wall outlet.
• Try a different wall outlet to rule out a dead outlet.
• If using a power strip, try plugging directly into the wall.
• Try a different power cable if you have a spare.

Step 2: Check the Power LED

• No LED at all: The monitor is not receiving power. Check the power cable, outlet, and power strip.
• Steady amber/orange LED: The monitor is in standby mode. It’s receiving power but no video signal. Check your video cable and connected device.
• Blinking LED: The monitor is in a low-power state or has a hardware issue.
• Steady white/blue LED: The monitor is on. If the screen is black, the issue may be with the video signal, not power.

Step 3: Check the Video Cable

• Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI or DisplayPort cable at both ends.
• Try a different video cable.
• Try a different port on both the monitor and the PC.
• If possible, test the monitor with a different device (laptop, game console) to isolate whether the issue is with the monitor or the PC.

Step 4: Factory Reset

1. If you can access the OSD menu, navigate to System Setup > Reset or System > Factory Reset.
2. Select Yes to restore all settings to defaults.

Step 5: Power Cycle

1. Unplug the power cable from the monitor.
2. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds (this discharges residual power).
3. Wait 2 minutes.
4. Plug the power cable back in and try turning on the monitor.

Understanding Power LED Indicators

LED Color	LED Behavior	Meaning
White or Blue	Steady	Monitor is on and displaying
Amber/Orange	Steady	Standby mode (no video signal)
Amber/Orange	Blinking	Power saving mode
Off	Off	No power or monitor is off
Red	Steady or blinking	Hardware error (check manual)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my ASUS monitor turn on?

The most common reasons are: the power cable is loose or disconnected, the outlet or power strip is not providing power, the video cable is not connected (the monitor may stay in standby if no signal is detected), or the power button/joystick is malfunctioning. Work through the troubleshooting steps in this guide to identify the cause.

Does my ASUS monitor have HDMI-CEC?

Most ASUS monitors from 2018 onward support HDMI-CEC, though it may be called something different in the OSD menu. Check under System Setup for an HDMI CEC or CEC option. ROG gaming monitors and ProArt displays typically include this feature.

How do I turn on my ASUS monitor if the power button is broken?

Enable the AC Power Recovery feature in the OSD, then use a smart plug to control power to the monitor. When you toggle the smart plug on, the monitor will automatically power on. You can also try using DDC/CI software if the monitor is in standby mode.

Why does my ASUS monitor turn off by itself?

This is usually due to the auto-sleep or power-saving feature. Windows puts the display to sleep after a period of inactivity. You can adjust this in Settings > System > Power & sleep. If the monitor turns off while you’re actively using it, check the video cable connection and try a different cable.

Can I use a universal remote with my ASUS monitor?

Standard IR universal remotes won’t work with most ASUS monitors because they lack IR receivers. However, some ASUS ROG gaming monitors and ProArt displays support remote controls that are sold separately.

Why does my ASUS monitor show “No Signal” when turned on?

The “No Signal” message means the monitor is on but not receiving a video signal from your PC. Check that the video cable is connected to the correct port on both the monitor and PC. If your PC has both integrated and dedicated graphics, ensure the cable is plugged into the correct port. See our guide on where to plug your monitor cable for help.

How do I change the input source on my ASUS monitor?

Open the OSD menu using the joystick or menu button, navigate to Input Source, and select the desired input (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, DisplayPort, etc.). Most ASUS monitors also have an auto-input detection feature that switches to whichever input has an active signal.

Is it normal for my ASUS monitor to take a few seconds to turn on?

Yes. ASUS monitors typically take 3-5 seconds to fully power on and display an image. ROG gaming monitors with fast-response features may turn on slightly faster. If your monitor takes more than 10 seconds to show an image, there may be an issue.

Can I set my ASUS monitor to turn on automatically with my PC?

Yes. Enable HDMI-CEC in the OSD menu. When you turn on your PC, the monitor will automatically wake from standby and display the video signal. For full power-on (not just wake from standby), the PC must send an active signal through the HDMI or DisplayPort cable.

Why is the power LED on my ASUS monitor blinking?

A blinking power LED usually indicates the monitor is in power-saving mode. This happens when the monitor is receiving power but no video signal. Check your video cable and ensure your PC is turned on and sending a signal. If the LED blinks while you’re actively using the monitor, it may indicate a hardware issue.

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