Problem When Restarting PC Shows No Display
Problem When Restarting PC Shows No Display
Parts List:
CPU: Ryzen 5 7600
Mobo: ASRock A620I Lightning
RAM: 2x16GB Corsair Vengeance
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus
GPU: Asus TUF 3080 10G
PSU: Corsair SF1000L
Case: Fractal Terra
This morning I tried to start my PC and noticed the fans were running, yet the screen remained blank. The system functioned perfectly the previous day, so I haven’t altered any settings recently to trigger this behavior.
During personal testing, I recorded these observations:
Monitor operates – connected via laptop without problems
Display cables function – tested several HDMI cables with laptop
No display ports on GPU are working (rechecked connections and ensured full contact) – used cables known to work
No CPU display when using motherboard – disconnected GPU and connected to motherboard display port
PSU cables are securely seated – both visual and physical checks passed
These are the main steps I attempted to diagnose.
Potential causes I considered:
Occasionally, touching the case while the PC is powered on can cause a shock that forces an automatic restart. This might damage electrical circuits but doesn’t explain why the system restarts without issues.
Edit: Likely related to static electricity, as similar shocks occur when using USB-C phone cables, monitor stands, or microwaves. All these devices are plugged into a power outlet.
Another point:
A portion of the GPU riser cable makes contact with the backplate of the GPU. It’s only touching the outer edge, so it shouldn’t be a critical issue.
After reviewing other forums, I believe this points to a component failure. I’m not sure exactly which part might be faulty, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
The focus narrows to CPU, MoBo or RAM. One of these three, or all of them, must be faulty. To confirm the correct compatible setup, test each part separately. Avoid using known working hardware, as it might cause damage. Without a second system, the only option is to isolate RAM one at a time while running one stick at a time. This approach could provide some insight. (Note: If a single RAM DIMM fails, the system will still start, but if both fail, it won’t boot.) This raises a significant warning sign.
You possess a solid PSU—some of the top models do work well—and it should never supply live current directly to the PC case. This points to a grounding problem. For example, misaligned screws under the MoBo or its standoff, or a damaged power cable causing incorrect voltage delivery to the case.
At this stage, adding the PSU to the list of potential issues is necessary. Reach out to Corsair for a detailed explanation of this unusual problem and request an RMA. I’m unfamiliar with Corsair SF-L models causing such severe faults, but it’s not an absolute exclusion. It could indicate a serious internal defect in the PSU (such as sending live voltage to ground, energizing the entire case) or a pinched power cable with broken isolation, which is more likely in tight spaces.
Thank you for your feedback. I believe there was some important information missing that I should have included. Because winter is here, static electricity tends to accumulate more easily. This means static could potentially harm the PC, not just occasional shocks. For example, metal items like USB-C charging cables, monitor stands, or microwaves might be involved. I will revise the original post to add this detail.
I also read that when the PSU faces sudden high voltage, it automatically cuts itself off to avoid damage. Yet since it always restarts right after a shock, I’m unsure why it’s no longer displaying anything.
Thanks again for your assistance—I’ll reach out to Corsair to check if they have any solutions.
I am having similar issue, but I was compressing hard drive with os on it, restarted when done, got in the windows, but not one program started.. I restarted it again, and voila, no signal to the monitor, one beep and that's it.
First I thought it's the hard drive, so I changed it with a fresh empty one, got USB with windows on it, but the issue is still there, no signal, can't boot, nothing..
Now I am suspecting that static had something to do with it.. It could be, that my cat rubbed against it, I have one side open because radiator doesn't fit in all the way, and that way some static would jump to computer..
SCP activates when the PSU identifies an output rail impedance below 0.1 Ohms, causing the PSU to disconnect. Further reading: SCP specifically concerns the output rails of the PSU. ESD events, such as touching a PC's metal casing, would allow voltage to flow directly to the ground wire through the main power connector, bypassing SCP. Other protections like OCP and OVP operate based on what is being supplied via the rails, not on feedback from the PSU itself. For the PC case to receive power and trigger a shutdown due to SCP, a direct connection of a PSU rail into the PC's metal casing must occur upon touching the device.
Are all connections linked to the identical power source?
Static electricity can perform unusual actions. Recently, when I touched a mouse, I experienced a shock and one of my two displays restarted. No other devices appeared to be impacted.
Would switching to another outlet (preferably on a separate circuit or breaker) alter the outcome?
I'm not entirely confident about the difference between input and output in over voltage protection. When current flows, but a high potential is applied to a circuit, the current will tend to move toward areas of lower potential, which might result in a negative voltage reading on the PSU side. This could even trick the PSU into thinking no voltage is leaving for a short time.
I would need to run a simulation using P-spice or something similar.
Electronics usually include POST circuits that become stuck if interrupted with a brief surge. This might cause a monitor to flicker briefly, but the capacitors remain charged enough to recover quickly.
You can also verify that your outlet is properly grounded using a tester; these are typically around $5-8 for non-GFCI models.
Further, I’d take the system apart and go back to the fundamentals. Any part could have failed, no matter the cause. I’d isolate the power supply by grounding the standby pin (paper clip test) and check the open-circuit voltage with a multimeter.
Components like the CPU, motherboard, power supply, and even a single RAM stick should be tested—swap them around to see if the issue persists.
If it boots, turn it off and reinsert devices one by one until it stops working. This helps pinpoint the problem or confirms whether the system has been rebuilt correctly.
Possible causes include faulty cables, drives, PSU, fans, or even a short circuit. A damaged SATA power cable for front I/O could prevent POST. If the CPU or motherboard fails, testing without other hardware becomes more challenging, but it helps narrow down the source.
Could dust or bending in PSU cables be contributing to this issue? Without a dust cover on the Fractal Terra, more dust is likely entering the PSU than usual. But since the system is only two months old, it seems unlikely there would be enough dust to cause a problem. Regarding the cables, the SFX-L design restricts cable space, forcing tight bends that barely fit inside the case. With everything so packed together, something might be affecting performance, though I’m not sure if it’s the main reason.
No, but they probably share the same circuit. Since my university dorm is quite old, there’s a chance the grounding could be faulty. I’ll still attempt to connect it to a different circuit.
Unfortunately, my PC is currently the only compatible hardware available, which is a problem here because PC parts are scarce at college. Still, I value your response and will try again soon.
Dust isn't conductive in terms of electricity, yet it functions as a thermal barrier, hindering effective cooling for the device. For dust to become an issue, your setup needs to accumulate significant amounts over time—such as more than five years without cleaning or just a couple of months in an extremely dusty area like a sawmill or sugar mill.
A typical dorm room usually doesn't reach those levels, so excess dust isn’t a major concern unless humidity is high enough to make the particles conductive.
PSU cables are designed with insulation; bending them too much isn’t harmful unless they’re compressed tightly, allowing damage to pass through the insulation and expose the inner wire.
Another scenario involves unused power cable connectors (like SATA or MOLEX) inside the PC case. If parts of the case protrude into these connectors, it can create a short circuit by bridging the gap.
Once your PC problems are resolved, consider upgrading to a quality UPS with a line-interactive design and pure sine wave output. Ideally, match its wattage to your PSU.
If possible, take your system to a repair shop for diagnostics. They have the right tools and can pinpoint exactly which components failed. The cost is minimal compared to the savings from fixing it yourself.
For students or college users, opting for a laptop instead of a desktop makes more sense—laptops are easier to move and replace if needed.