Is your PC failing to start or acting erratically? Someone, please assist.
Is your PC failing to start or acting erratically? Someone, please assist.
I assembled my first PC about four weeks ago. It functions properly but occasionally fails to power on or shuts down unexpectedly, roughly once a week. About a week after setup, I tried to start it, but it wouldn’t turn on despite the power supply and RGB board working correctly. The CPU lights were illuminated, so I reinserted the power connector, and it worked again. However, shortly after, the same problem returned. I’ve reinserted the CPU power a couple of times, changed the RAM, and updated the BIOS on the motherboard, yet the issue persists. For some reason, reseating any component seems to temporarily resolve it—fixing one CPU fan resolved the problem, but it reappears after a short time. The PC has shut down three times during use, but not under heavy load; it only happens when idle (like opening Microsoft Word). I’m stuck and would appreciate any help.
Specs: CPU i9-10850k, GPU ASUS TUF RTX 3070 ti, Motherboard MSI MGP Z490 gaming, Power Supply Corsair CX 750M
It seems there might be a CPU-related problem. I experienced inconsistent performance due to a faulty processor or poor connection. Try this approach to test: see if it functions. If not, it could be a board issue or another problem. These situations are usually tough to diagnose. I’d suggest starting with a basic setup—just CPU, power supply, storage, and RAM. Re-seat the processor and heatsink, then check if the issue persists. Run a short video test to rule out power-related causes. Also, verify that your power button or reset button isn’t interfering. Disconnect them temporarily and power on with a screwdriver (short the pins) or use a temporary power button. Having a motherboard speaker can be very useful during troubleshooting. Post codes appear in various formats, including beeps.
What concerns me is how this only occurs when the system is off or under no load. It seems unusual, so I'm wondering if it's related to the CPU or motherboard. I plan to re-seat the CPU and wait a week to check if it improves. I didn't realize the power button connectors could be the issue, and I'm puzzled why that would prevent it from starting properly instead of causing random restarts.
Hello @Cait, I agree with Pickles von Brine regarding the potential power concern—not necessarily a constant draw but intermittent spikes. It might be that the power supply struggles with sudden surges, something often linked to recent RTX 3000 GPUs. I’d start by testing the setup with a different PSU, if possible. If not, check the motherboard installation and look for any exposed pins on the underside that could cause shorts. It could be tricky, but if it fails to power on after removal, you’ll have identified the issue. As Pickles mentioned, motherboard speakers are quite useful for troubleshooting. Let me know if this helps or if things change. Cheers! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
I've adjusted my CPU placement and verified the pins are straight. The PC rebooted multiple times, especially when under load. It shut down again, possibly due to thermal throttling. Later I noticed the motherboard power wasn't fully connected. I turned on PWM for the fans and re-seated the 24-pin, which resolved the issue. The system is now running normally after about half an hour of troubleshooting. So far, the fan problems seem linked to either missing PWM or the 24-pin installation. The power connector might have shifted during my cable handling.
Have you verified the main power connectors on the PSU and their links to the motherboard? Ensure everything is securely attached. EXTREME CAUTION—push gently straight, avoid any downward, upward, or sideways force. (I’m being loud because I’m passionate about PC builds and mistakes happen easily.) It’s convenient in PC assembly to place cords about three-quarters of the way in. (This might cause odd phantom connections. I used to enjoy benchmarking base settings hardware just to check GPU thermal performance, and many times these issues appeared because power cords were partially disconnected.)
After a full week without the problem, it seems the fix is likely due to overheating from the fan or accidentally shifting the motherboard power out of place. Thanks for all the helpful ideas!