Troubleshooting

PC Troubleshooting Tool

This tool is designed to help users get newly built PCs working.
Follow the steps, no matter how obvious they seem!

Select a problem to get started...

No signs of life / Intermittent fans

No display (video card)

No display (iGPU)

No signs of life / Intermittent fans

  • Step 1 - Is the PSU plugged in to the power outlet?

    PSU in case

    Verify that the PSU is plugged into the wall outlet, and that the outlet is switched on (if necessary).

  • Step 2 - Is the PSU switched on?

    Back of PSU

    Verify that the switch on the power supply itself is in the "on" position.
    We've all done this at some point.

  • Step 3 - Is the 24 pin motherboard power connected?

    24pin Power

    Verify that the PSU's 24 pin connector is connected securely to the motherboard.
    There is only one 24 pin connector and it is notched to fit only one way.

    Step 3.1: if using a modular power supply, check the connection to the main unit too.

  • Step 4 - Is the 4/8 pin CPU power connected?

    CPU Power

    Verify that the PSU's EPS connector is connected securely to the motherboard.
    This too is notched to fit only one way, but double check you are using the 4/8 pin EPS connector.

    Step 4.1: if using a modular power supply, check the connection to the main unit too.

  • Step 5 - Is the CPU fan header connected?

    CPU Fan Header

    Verify that the CPU's fan header is connected properly to the motherboard.
    Motherboards tend to provide a specific header for this, usually called CPU_FAN or similar. Refer to the motherboard manual for its location.

  • Step 6 - Are the front panel headers connected?

    Front panel header

    Verify that the front panel connections between the case and the motherboard are correctly connected.
    Refer to the motherboard manual for the correct layout.

    Step 5.1: Try disconnecting all other (non-power button) front panel cabling.

    Step 5.2: Disconnect all front panel cabling and use a screwdriver to short the motherboard's front panel pins instead.
    Touch a conductive screwdriver against the pins for a split second only to power on the build.

  • Step 7 - Is the RAM seated properly?

    RAM seating

    Verify that the memory modules are properly seated - this may require more force than expected.
    The clips either side should snap into place on either side when the module is installed.

    Some motherboards require RAM to be installed in specific slots:
    check the motherboard manual for correct module location configurations.

    Step 7.1: Remove all but one module of RAM and test it in different slots.

  • Step 8 - Is the power supply functional?

    If there are still no signs of life, the power supply may be defective. The paperclip test can be used to determine whether this is the case. To perform the test:

    Power Connectors

    1. Disconnect the power supply from the wall and from the rest of the system.
    2. Next, find the 24 pin ATX connector. On it, locate the green and black wires, and connect them using a paperclip bent into a "C" shape.
    3. Then, plug the unit power cord into a socket, and flip the switch on the unit (if present).

    If the PSU fan spins up, the unit is likely functional. Continue to troubleshoot.

    If the paperclip test yields no results, the unit is likely defective. If possible, test the system using a different power supply.

  • Step 9 - Are the motherboard standoffs installed?

    Standoffs sit between the motherboard and the case to prevent shorting.

    Empty Case

    Some cases come with the motherboard standoffs pre-attached, some do not.
    Verify that yours are correctly installed and that the back of the motherboard is not shorting out on the case.

  • Step 10 - Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

    The CMOS contains information used by the BIOS when starting up. Clearing it (by briefly removing it) will reset BIOS settings and may resolve hardware issues.

    CMOS Battery Location

    To clear it:

    1. Disconnect the PSU from the wall and switch the unit off.
    2. Locate the CMOS battery (refer to motherboard manual for location).
    3. .With a flat-head screwdriver, remove the battery and set aside.
    4. After 10 minutes, replace the battery as it was and reattach power connectors.

  • Additional Steps (Cabling) - Still no signs of life? Let's review common cabling problems!

    Cables

    Go back and double check all of the cable connections: these are most often the cause of non-functional builds:

    1. Disconnect all cabling and start over, following the order in this guide.
    2. Start with just the essentials - 24 pin, 8 pin and CPU fan header - before attempting to connect other peripherals.
    3. Any unused cabling should be tucked away behind the motherboard tray or detached from the PSU (if using a modular unit).
    4. Verify that that no daisy chained peripherals are attempting to draw power from both the motherboard and the PSU simultaneously.

  • Additional Steps (CPU) - Still no signs of life? Let's review common CPU installation problems!

    CPU Cover

    1. Verify that the CPU socket's plastic cover was removed prior to installation of the processor.
    2. Check that the socket itself is clean and free from bent pins or visible damage.
    3. Ensure that the processor was aligned correctly when installed. As this can vary by processor, refer to the installation guide for detailed instructions.

    4. Check that the thermal paste was correctly applied and that it is not touching the motherboard or socket.

  • Additional Steps (Breadboarding) - Still no signs of life? Let's take the case out of the equation!

    To ensure that a component is not shorting out on the case, reassemble the build on an insulated surface outside of the case (breadboarding!).

    1. Assemble the bare minimum: motherboard, CPU and cooler and a single module of RAM.
    2. Connect the 24 pin ATX and 4/8 pin EPS connectors, as well as the CPU fan header.
    3. Briefly touch a screwdriver against the front panel power button pins (refer to motherboard manual for location) to power on the build.

    Mobo outside the case

    If the PC posts, install the same parts inside the case and attempt to power it on.

    If there are still no signs of life, and all other steps have been carried out, there may be a fault with the motherboard.

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No Display (Video Card)

  • Step 1 - Is the monitor plugged in?

    Verify that the monitor power cable is plugged in and that the monitor is turned on.

  • Step 2 - Is the input correctly set?

    Verify that the monitor's input is set to the interface you wish to use (e.g. DVI, HDMI etc).

  • Step 3 - Is the video card installed correctly?

    Verify that the video card is properly seated in the correct slot. Most modern cards use the PCIe interface, so ensure you've not tried to install it in a PCI slot.

  • Step 4 - Are the video card's power connectors correctly attached?

    Ensure that the PCIe power cables (if required) have been properly attached to the video card.

  • Step 5 - Is the display connector correctly attached?

    Verify that the display connector (e.g., DVI, HDMI etc.) is fully seated at both ends. Check that the connector is not attached to the motherboard display outputs.

  • Step 6 - Have you tried a different PCIe slot?

    Assuming the video card uses a PCIe interface, try seating it in another available PCIe slot (if available).

    If this produces a display, the motherboard is likely partially defective and should be returned.

    If there is still no display, continue to troubleshoot.

  • Step 7 - Have you tried using the onboard graphics?

    Remove the video card and try using the onboard GPU to output video (check that your CPU/motherboard supports this!)
    Remember to attach the display cable to a motherboard output.

    If the onboard GPU displays correctly on the monitor, the issue is likely with the video card or its installation.

    If there is no display from the onboard GPU, there is likely an issue with the monitor. Recheck cabling and input.

  • Step 8 - Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

    The CMOS contains information used by the BIOS when starting up. Clearing it will reset BIOS settings and may resolve hardware issues.

    CMOS Battery Location

    To clear it:

    1. Disconnect the PSU from the wall and switch the unit off.
    2. Locate the CMOS battery (refer to motherboard manual for location).
    3. .With a flat-head screwdriver, remove the battery and set aside.
    4. After 10 minutes, replace the battery as it was and reattach power connectors.

  • Step 9 - Have you tried a different PSU?

    PSU in case

    If possible, substitute the PSU for a unit you know is functional. A faulty unit may not be providing the necessary power to the video card.

    Step 8.1: Check that the build's estimated wattage does not exceed that of the power supply. Sites like PCPartPicker can estimate your build's power draw if you are unsure.

  • Additional Steps - Still no display from the video card?

    If possible, verify that the card is functional by testing it in a working build.

    If this produces a display, revisit the card installation and cabling steps and double check all connections.

    If no display appears in an otherwise functional PC, the card is likely defective and should be returned.

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No Display (Integrated Graphics)

  • Step 1 - Is the monitor plugged in?

    Verify that the monitor power cable is plugged in and that the monitor is turned on.

  • Step 2 - Is the input correctly set?

    Verify that the monitor's input is set to the interface you wish to use (e.g. DVI, HDMI etc).

  • Step 3 - Is the display connector correctly attached?

    Verify that the display connector is fully seated at both ends. Check that the connector is indeed attached to the motherboard outputs.

  • Step 4 - Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

    The CMOS contains information used by the BIOS when starting up. Clearing it will reset BIOS settings and may resolve hardware issues.

    CMOS Battery Location

    To clear it:

    1. Disconnect the PSU from the wall and switch the unit off.
    2. Locate the CMOS battery (refer to motherboard manual for location).
    3. .With a flat-head screwdriver, remove the battery and set aside.
    4. After 10 minutes, replace the battery as it was and reattach power connectors.

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