Could it be the power supply unit or the motherboard that's not working properly in this case?
Could it be the power supply unit or the motherboard that's not working properly in this case?
Hello everyone,
Until last night my computer was functioning perfectly. After a long day of use, I powered it off normally—no error codes, no BSODs, and no burning smells. I’ve been using the current version of my PC since October 2023 without any problems.
But today, when I turned on the power button on my case, nothing happened. There was no power, no booting, no error lights on the motherboard, and no display of the motherboard logo. Initially, I tried a different AC adapter for my PSU and switched to another power socket in the room—still nothing. I haven’t experienced any power surges or unexpected outages.
After consulting the retailer where I bought these parts, we started troubleshooting. We began by checking the PSU, using a paperclip method. I placed a paperclip between the 3rd and 4th pin of the 24-pin motherboard internal power lead. The PSU turned on without issues (the fan on the back powered up), though the PC still didn’t boot.
I also have four case fans connected through a PWM/ARGB hub. This hub is powered via a SATA connector, linked to the motherboard through an ARGB 3-pin connector and a 4-pin PWM fan connector. All these fans responded when using the paperclip method, as did my AIO cooler (also powered by a SATA connector).
The fact that the PSU managed to power on suggests it might not be the source of the problem. However, since the paperclip method failed to get the PC running, should we still suspect the PSU?
Next, I tested the motherboard by connecting a spare fan directly to another fan port. Again, using the paperclip method, the four existing fans and the AIO cooler turned on, but the spare fan didn’t. I’m confident this fan isn’t faulty—since I’ve used it for years on another system until recently. Could this indicate a motherboard issue?
Please help me!
PC SPECS:
Be Quiet Straight Power 11 1000w
i7 14700KF (Turbo Boost enabled)
32GB DDR5 Corsair Vengeance 2666MHz
Zotac Gaming Trinity OC GeForce RTX 4070ti
Asus ROG Strix Z790-h
Fractal Design R6 Define
Pionner Blu-Ray Re-Writer
2TB NVME PCI-E 3.0 m.2 Drive
4TB SATA III SSD
Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
Thank you for the update. I wasn't aware of the paperclip test, but it was recommended by a reputable PC parts supplier, so I assumed it was valid. Regarding the BIOS version, I don't remember it, though I recall updating recently because Windows 11 was causing some instability. Be Quiet is not considered a trustworthy brand? I have an Amazon order for a Corsair RM1000x tomorrow. It seems to be functioning well—Amazon processes returns quickly without any issues. From what I understand, Corsair is likely the most reliable PSU manufacturer. Don't worry, the Be Quiet PSU was purchased new. The seller also mentioned that the power-on button on my case might be faulty, as it appears to be an electronic component issue similar to what I've experienced before. I've purchased an external power button to check if the problem lies with the case.
Be Quiet Straight Power 11 1000w
Is your device a Gold or Platinum model? My findings indicate it includes a 5-year warranty. The seller also mentioned the power button on the case could be faulty, given its electronic nature. I’ve purchased an external power switch to check if the issue lies with the case. Alternatively, you might have simply shorted the +ve and -ve pins on the motherboard during installation. For more details, see: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W-WmTENHgNg