Question: Computer occasionally fails to turn on or start?
Question: Computer occasionally fails to turn on or start?
This situation is quite unusual for me since it keeps happening more often. My computer usually starts up, boots, and functions perfectly—playing games or using it for hours without any problems. However, occasionally it won’t boot at all or only powers on without working.
To try to resolve it, I just wait, turn it on and off until it restarts, then it should work again. Sometimes I even stop it completely because it feels natural to do so.
I don’t know the exact cause because when it finally turns on, everything works fine. Testing what might be wrong is difficult without a clear indication of what’s failing.
The Corsair 450w PSU is original to build, new, refurbished, or used? Has it been heavily used for gaming or video editing? The method of shutting down the computer: through the Windows Shutdown menu or by physically turning the OFF switch?
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What you can do: power off, unplug, open the case. Remove dust and debris. Check that all connectors, cards, RAM, jumpers, and case connections are securely in place. Use a bright flashlight to look for any signs of damage. After completing these steps, restart the computer. Execute "dism" and "sfc /scannow" to detect and repair any issues caused by improper shutdowns and crashes.
Links: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-d...s-10-image, https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-...es-2626161
Assess whether the computer consistently powers on and boots correctly. If not, further actions may be necessary.
Overall, the PSU is a probable cause, but more details are required.
I first tried booting the computer once it wouldn’t start. After a clean CMOS reset, a fresh thermal paste application, and other checks, everything seemed fine.
I ran the DISM tool, checked health, restored data, and scanned again. Dism reported no issues, but I still proceeded with the RestoreHealth. The scan detected corrupt files, so I rebooted once more without problems. However, I haven’t powered off the PC while working, as everything is backed up securely, though my current machine remains the most reliable for work.
My system used an older PSU that eventually failed. Since 2019, I’ve been using this Corsair PSU, which has supported about four hours of daily use. Starting around 2021, I began working from home for 8 to 12 hours each day, putting it under heavy load from gaming and work tasks.
I think the PSU might be the root cause, but I wasn’t expecting a failure warning during operation. The system ran normally without shutdowns or BSODs, and I always closed it properly via the Windows menu.
If the problem is indeed related to the PSU, how can I verify it accurately?
I plan to buy a new computer from work to continue working, and after that I’ll conduct further tests to confirm if my system boots consistently.
Thanks for your help.
But wasn't the system meant to indicate a failure during operation if there was a power problem? Remember that PSUs supply three distinct voltage levels (3, 5, and 12) to different parts of the system. If any of these voltages fall outside acceptable limits, issues can arise. It might be too late to detect the voltage malfunction before it leads to warnings or alerts. There are two methods to verify: 1) With a multimeter and proper knowledge, you can test the PSU's output voltages. This isn't a complete load test, but any deviation from tolerance suggests a problem. FYI: https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually...er-2626158 2) Check Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer for error codes, warnings, or other events. Inconsistent shutdowns or a rising number of errors can also point to a failing PSU. A PSU from four years ago (2019) could be approaching its end of life, especially if the PC consistently pushes it to its maximum rated capacity of 450 watts. Use PSU calculators to determine the appropriate wattage for your setup. Note: If any component requires a range of power levels, select the higher end value.
Interesting, thanks for your prompt reply.
I reviewed the Reliability monitor and noticed several entries labeled "windows was not properly shut down." Based on the timestamps, these appear to be from times when my PC failed to boot. I think this pattern, along with instances where my PC doesn't power on at all, suggests a possible issue with the PSU.
I can test with a different PSU just to verify everything before purchasing a new one.
Appreciate your help again.