In this guide, we'll go over the general troubleshooting steps to go through if you have a newly built PC that won't power on/boot/POST. Whether you're a first-time builder or experienced, it's not uncommon to run into some snags or miss something minor in your build. This guide should cover all the basics.
Always start with having read and understood all of the manufacturer guides before attempting to build your computer. If you run into problems along the way, manufacturer documentation is a great source of information that is specific to that product.
- Make sure your power supply switch is turned to the proper setting in the ON position. It should be set to the line, not the circle.
- If you have a video card, check that your monitor is plugged directly into it and not into the motherboard video ports. When a video card is installed, the motherboard ports should be disabled by default, and you need to use the ones on the card. The video card ports are normally located below the audio ports, towards the bottom of an upright case. Verify the monitor is set to the correct input based on the cable you're using: HDMI, VGA, etc... and make sure you're using only one video cable for your monitor.
- Test your monitor with another device or test another monitor with the computer to eliminate your monitor as the source of the problem.
- Make sure both your 24-pin motherboard power cable and your 4+4 pin CPU power cable are plugged in. The CPU power is located on the top-left corner of the motherboard, the motherboard power is located on the right side.
- Verify that your RAM is fully seated in the socket. When installing the RAM, you should hear it click into place when it's seated properly. If you are using more than one stick, check that they are installed in the correct slots according to your motherboard user manual.
- Try booting with a single stick of RAM at a time to see if this makes a difference. Try each stick in different slots to narrow down whether it might be an individual stick or a slot on the motherboard.
- Confirm that your video card is seated properly and the 6 pin or 6+2 pin PCIe power connectors are plugged in properly from your power supply (if your video card has those power connections).
- If your CPU has integrated graphics, try booting without the video card installed and using your motherboard video ports instead to see if it's a GPU related issue.
- Check and make sure that your front panel connector cables are plugged into the correct pins on the front panel header on your motherboard. Different boards may have different pin layouts, so make sure to check your user manual. It should have a diagram showing which pins are which. If they appear to be correct and it still will not power on, unplug the front panel cables and try jumping the power switch pins on your motherboard by gently touching the metal end of a screwdriver to the pins.
- Confirm that your CPU fan cable is plugged in. If the primary CPU fan header is not occupied, most motherboards will not boot. This applies even on motherboards that have a separate header for a water pump on a liquid cooler.
- Check that there is no thermal paste running down the sides or underneath the CPU. You only need a small amount of thermal paste to cover your whole CPU when installing a new cooler, and if paste gets into the socket, it can cause issues.
- Confirm that your CPU is lined up correctly in the socket. Look for tabs or an arrow that matches your motherboard, showing you which corner lines up where so that the CPU is in the correct position.
- Does your motherboard have any error code or debug LEDs that are lighting up? Some motherboards will have lights that can indicate if it is detecting an error with one of your components. This can potentially indicate a hardware problem. Try unplugging and replugging that component and make sure it is snug in its socket.
- Clear your CMOS. This can be done either by removing the button cell battery on the board while the power cable is unplugged from the back of the PSU or by using the clear CMOS jumper on your motherboard. Instructions are in your motherboard user manual on where to find the jumper.
- Check for any bent pins on your processor or in the CPU socket on the motherboard.
- Confirm that your motherboard standoff screws were installed properly. These screw directly into your case and sit under the board to mount it. Some cases come with preinstalled motherboard standoffs - if one is in a place that does not line up with a corresponding hole on the motherboard, a short could happen. If no standoffs are available, your motherboard will make contact with the case where it shouldn't. Also, make sure that there are no wires or loose screws, or objects underneath the motherboard.
- Does your motherboard require a BIOS update for your processor? If your CPU is newer than your motherboard, the BIOS may need to be updated first to make them compatible with each other. An older processor that is compatible may be required to update it to the correct version. Some motherboards have a feature that allows you to update the BIOS without needing a CPU installed.
- Is your RAM compatible? Most RAM is compatible with most motherboards if it has the right socket and the motherboard supports the capacity of the module that is installed, but in rare cases, you can have an issue. Your motherboard manufacturer will have a QVL (Qualified Vendor List) of RAM that they have tested to be compatible on the support page for your motherboard. If your RAM is not on the list and you rule out other potential issues, try switching to a set that is.
- Check if your motherboard might be shorting out inside the case. Take the motherboard out and put it on a flat insulated surface such as cardboard or wood (your motherboard box is a good option). Do NOT put your motherboard on the anti-static bag or anything else that could conduct electricity - this can cause a short and ruin your components. Install your CPU, RAM, and video card if you have one, then hook up your power supply and try to get it to boot by jumping the power switch pins on your board. This is called breadboarding. If it boots up while you have it breadboarded, your case could be making contact with the board somewhere it should not be and shorting it out.
- Finally, if troubleshooting does not identify the problem and corresponding solution, you may require assistance offered by the Micro Center In Store Service Department.
