Looking for ways to resolve the issue? There are several potential approaches you could consider.
Looking for ways to resolve the issue? There are several potential approaches you could consider.
I prefer not to handle it, and MSI likely won’t process a return if I damaged the RGB headers during the cable setup.
Assuming it can't be returned, I'd reposition the pins carefully. Then I'd verify if the contacts are visible in the slot—any gaps might mean pins are stacked and could damage the system. If unsure or if pins are broken, I'd remove them to prevent short circuits when powering up. Using side-cutting or flush-cutting pliers would quickly remove them. If you don't have those tools, gently bending the pins back and forth should eventually break them due to their fragility.
It still unexpectedly starts in the BIOS, which seems to be a positive outcome.
I'll definitely go that route. It's better to fix the pins than risk shutting down the whole thing.
It seems the connection is still active, especially when the PC is powered on or the capacitors are holding. Continuing this could damage the system or its parts. If the PCIe port isn’t crucial, unplug the power supply, let the fans run briefly to discharge any residual charge, then remove the CPU and motherboard connectors. After that, gently take off the pins. Losing the slot is inconvenient, but a loose pin or a falling cable could cause serious harm to your PC and its components.
I wouldn't bother trying to fix it either. It's likely you'd waste two hours figuring out why a single pin isn't properly seated, only to discover it won't work. Save your time and remove the pins as GzeroD recommended. It should function perfectly without the PCIe slot.
I mentioned earlier that the pins are quite delicate. A few gentle bends—5 to 10 times—should cause them to break near the solder joint. Avoid using a razor blade, as it might damage traces on other components and ruin the board. Scissors can cut them cleanly, but keep the cuts low so you can easily cover any remaining parts with electrical tape for extra safety.