TI-84 plus won't turn on

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:

Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjust the contrast by pressing and releasing the 2nd key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the CLEAR key. While holding CLEAR, reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the CLEAR key and then press it one more time to remove the message.
4. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the DEL key. While holding DEL reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
5. Remove all of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn the calculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:

Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjust the contrast by pressing and releasing the 2nd key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the CLEAR key. While holding CLEAR, reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the CLEAR key and then press it one more time to remove the message.
4. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the DEL key. While holding DEL reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
5. Remove all of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn the calculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

First try removing all four AAA batteries and the small lithium backup battery (above the four AAA batteries). Leave all batteries out for five minutes, then replace them and try to start the calculator. If this doesn't work...

Replace all but 1 AAA battery. Press and hold the "CLEAR" button on the calculator. While holding the "CLEAR" button down, replace the missing AAA battery. While still holding the "CLEAR" button, turn the calculator on. The display should read "RAM Cleared". Release the "CLEAR" button and press again to remove the message.

If that doesn't work, remove 1 AAA battery again. Repeat the preceding instructions with the "DEL" key: With the battery removed, press and hold the "DEL" key. With the "DEL" key held down, replace the battery and turn the calculator on. The screen should say "Waiting... Please install calculator software now." Release the "DEL" key. Download this program onto your computer (from Texas Instruments). Connect the calculator to the computer using the USB cable provided with purchase. Run the TI OSDownloader program and follow the on-screen instructions to re-install the calculator's operating system.

The button cell backup battery keeps the memory electrically refreshed when the calculator is turned OFF. The necessary power for regular use is supplied by the 4 AAA batteries (main power). That nothing happened when you put in a fresh set of (expensive) lithium batteries may be due to the screen being too dim to see anything.

If the calculator displays RAM CLEARED each time it is turned on, it may be due to a depleted backup battery. The battery model number is CR1616 or CR1620. On my TI84PLUS the backup battery is of type 303 (Sony) or SR44SW (Maxell).

Remove all four AAA batteries. Press and hold down the ON key for at least ten seconds. Replace the batteries. Turn the calculator on.

Hello,
Here it is from the horse's mouth (TI Knowledge base)

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:


Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a lossof applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create backup using TI Connect™ first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjustthe contrast by pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed bypressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust orlighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. Remove one of theAAA batteries. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key. While holding [CLEAR],reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. Thecalculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the [CLEAR] key and then press it one more time to remove the message.
4. Removeone of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [DEL] key. While holding[DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. Thecalculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI83 or TI 84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system (see below.)
5. Removeall of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes.After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn thecalculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

Reinstalling the OS for the TI83/TI84 Plus family

How do I correct the Error Waiting...Please Install Calculator SoftwareNow message on my TI-83 Plus family or TI-84 Plus family calculator?

If an operating system (OS) update fails or is interrupted, the calculator will be in an inoperable state with the message Waiting...Please install calculator software now.The most common cause of a transfer being interrupted is updating theoperating system on a calculator with low batteries. Users will need touse the TI Connectivity cable and the TI Connect software to send theoperating system to the calculator. Make sure to have the latestversion of TIConnect installed on the computer.
In order to install the software please follow these steps:
1. Connect the TI Connectivity cable between the computer and the calculator.
2. Click on Start >> Programs >> TI Tools >> TI Connect >> TI OSDownloader
3. Follow the on-screen directions to reinstall the calculator's OS.
Ifthe message "Error! Press any key to turn unit off. Then turn unit backon." appears on the graphing calculator, quickly, remove one batteryfrom the calculator and reinstall it while the transfer is taking place.

Hope it helps.

From TI FAQs:

What troubleshooting can I try if the TI graphing calculator will not turn on?

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:
Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect™ first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjust the contrast by pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key. While holding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the [CLEAR] key and then press it one more time to remove the message.
4. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [DEL] key. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
5. Remove all of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn the calculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

This is from TI FAQS:

Solution 11900: Troubleshooting a TI Graphing Calculator That Will Not Turn On.

For the TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family:
Caution: The resets described in these troubleshooting steps will cause a loss of applications, programs and data. If at all possible please create a backup using TI Connect™ first.

1. Try a new set of AAA batteries.
2. Adjust the contrast by pressing and releasing the [2nd] key followed by pressing and releasing the up arrow; repeat as necessary. To adjust or lighten the display, use the down arrow.
3. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [CLEAR] key. While holding [CLEAR], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display the message "RAM Cleared". Release the [CLEAR] key and then press it one more time to remove the message.
4. Remove one of the AAA batteries. Press and hold the [DEL] key. While holding [DEL], reinsert the AAA battery and then turn the calculator on. The calculator should display "Waiting...Please install calculator software now". Follow the instructions for the TI-83 family or TI-84 Plus family to reinstall the calculator operating system.
5. Remove all of the batteries including the round lithium battery for 5 minutes. After the 5 minute period, reinsert all of the batteries and turn the calculator on. Adjust the contrast if necessary.

This is kinda a weird situation. Because it's usually the other way around. Your ram will clear if your calculator is frozen. So take out all 5 batteries from the back. Even the back up battery. Then reset it again. 2nd then + then 7 then 1 Then 2. Good luck.

the screen may be at the lowest dim setting, try turning it on, then pressing the 2nd key and then hold the up key and see if anything appears, if not let me know and I will try to figure out something else, I own a 83, 84, and 89 so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out