The PC powers on initially but shuts off after one minute.
The PC powers on initially but shuts off after one minute.
Hello there,
I just put together my first PC and it starts but then shuts off after a short time. When I first booted, I used the USB Windows recovery mode and formatted the Recovery partition during installation—it functioned properly, but then it would turn off unexpectedly. I’m uncertain if this was caused by that step.
Now it won’t let me access BIOS or select another boot drive because it freezes and powers down. I managed to enter BIOS once, but the CPU temperature reached 100°C, which confused me, so I shut it down right away.
The SSD from a previous machine boots normally but also shuts off after a while, while the motherboard displays VGA, DRAM, and sometimes red BOOT LEDs that vanish. I attempted to swap RAM sticks and remove the SSD, but if I do, I get a boot menu and then it powers off. The motherboard’s indicator lights stay lit even after the PC turns off, leading me to believe the issue isn’t related to power supply. The cooler’s temperature reads between 40 to 70°C on the screen.
Edit: I’m beginning to grasp what might be going on. I tried turning it on after hours when it was cool, and it worked—I got into BIOS. However, the CPU quickly hit 100°C within a minute during the BIOS session. I reattached the cooler and reapplied thermal paste, but nothing changed. I’m starting to doubt whether the pump is actually functioning, since even at maximum speed I can’t feel any water flowing through the tubes, and the radiator feels cold.
Details:
Specs:
- Motherboard: NZXT N7 Z790 (used from Amazon)
- CPU: I9-14900K
- GPU: RTX 4060
- RAM: 32GB DDR5
- Power Supply: Corsair 850W
- Cooler: NZXT Kraken Elite 360 (used from Amazon)
AIO coolers have limited lifespan. Pumps may get blocked or the motor might fail, causing air to enter and requiring replacement. Typically, they last around five years. I would exchange the nzxt aio on Amazon and install a better dual tower air cooler. Make sure the motherboard's BIOS is up to date; outdated versions can cause issues. 14th generation processors are vulnerable to damage from high voltage, but a current BIOS will help prevent this.
Does Amazon accept returns for used components?
It would depend on whether they are listed as functional.
If you installed the device improperly, that might be the reason.
For example, if the pump is the main part of the setup, air pockets can build up there.
It may occur due to a non-spinning CPU fan or internal electrical faults. The motherboard should be inspected using a multimeter; you might need to replace the AC adapter or similar components. It’s not advisable to restart the PC, as this could cause further harm.