Problem with PC: power switching on and off yet failing to activate.
Problem with PC: power switching on and off yet failing to activate.
pc functioned properly when i left, but upon returning it kept power cycling on and off without turning on. I disconnected the gpu, moved ram to another slot, and tested with a single stick in different slots. I also attempted to reset and replace the cmos battery.
When the pc restarts, the tiny red cpu light flashes briefly on the motherboard, but i’m unsure what that indicates. I visited Best Buy and bought a Corsair RM750e to check if it was the power supply unit, which it seems to be now, so it probably isn’t the issue.
I removed the cpu cooler, cleaned the thermal paste from the cooler and the cpu, reinstalled it, but the thermal paste didn’t improve. I also had a friend build my pc last year, and everything worked fine until now. It seems like the system is trying to turn on repeatedly after a short fan spin and then shutting off.
The components i recall are:
- i7 cpu 12th gen
- Deepcool AK620 CPU cooler
- ASUS TUF Z690 motherboard
- T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16x2 32gb (brand confirmed)
- Seasonic GX 850 PSU
- Evga 3080 ftw3
All parts were new except the psu. I’ve tried everything possible and am unsure what to do next, other than attempting a CPU and motherboard replacement, which were purchased at Micro Center.
When swapping modular PSU, ensure all related cables are updated too. These cables don’t work with other PSU types and using incorrect ones may harm your parts. Follow these steps carefully: assemble the PC inside the case, connect only necessary components, use a motherboard with 24pin/8pin/4pin power connectors, include CPU, cooler/fan, RAM module, and PC beeper. The CPU needs an iGPU; if missing, add a separate GPU. Avoid front panel connectors—only USB, audio, no extra fans or storage devices. Try booting by briefly touching the motherboard’s power button pins.