README: How to respond to a no POST or no power up situation

[MG2R]

REMINDER: this thread is not to ask questions about your PC. Please create a NEW thread if you still have issues after going through this thread.

 

So, you've put together your brand new, shining rig. You plug in the power cord and push the button. Nothing happens. What now? The answer depends on what is happening:

 

 

The machine doesn't do anything. No beeps, LEDs or spinning fans.

1. Check if your power cable is firmly plugged in on both ends (you would be surprised how many issues this resolves)
2. Check if the power supply (PSU) has a button to cut the power to the machine. Check if this button is in the position denoted with ON or I
3. Check if EVERY power cable is plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
4. Check if the power button is installed correctly (consult your motherboard manual)
5. Try shorting out the pins you connect the power button to manually. If this powers on your system, you have a faulty power button.
6. Check with a device of which you know that it works if the power outlet you're using is actually providing power.

If this hasn't solved the problem, check if your PSU isn't dead. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Unplug your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with OFF or 0
2. Unplug every connector coming from your PSU (this is very important)
3. Using a bent paperclip, short out the green wire on the 24 pin header with any of the black wires, like so.
4. If you have a PSU that shuts down its fan under low load, or a PSU that is fanless, connect something small like a hard drive to it.
5. Plug in your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with ON or I

If the PSU does NOT power on (the fan/hard drive you connected should start spinning) after following these steps, your PSU is in all likelyhood defective. Request an RMA.

If the PSU DOES power on, then the problem is most likely your motherboard.

 

 

The machine does power up, but my screen remains black (no POST).

1. Make sure your BIOS version is compatible with the CPU generation you're trying to run in your motherboard, you can consult the manual or the manufacturer's website about this.
2. Check if EVERY power cable is connected. Auxiliary power connectors included.
3. Make sure the cable coming from your monitor is attached securely to the graphics card. Also make sure it is securely attached to the monitor itself.
4. Make sure your PSU is powerful enough to power your complete system.
5. Try booting the system with only a monitor but no other peripherals connected. (Thanks @Steven Schaefer)
6. Make sure your monitor works by testing it on a different computer.
7. If you have both a dedicated GPU and an iGPU, try your monitor on both the outputs on the graphics cards as well as on the motherboard.
8. When trying the iGPU, if the board has VGA out, try that too instead of just digital out. (Discovered by @evening)
9. Make sure all connectors and cables are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
10. Make sure your RAM, CPU and GPU are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
11. Remove riser cables between GPU and motherboard. If this solves the issue, try lowering your PCIe version/speed in the bios to PCIe 3 or lower (Thanks @problemsolver)
12. If the motherboard you're using has debug LEDs, check the error code and consult the motherboard manual to see what it means.
13. If you have a debug speaker connected to the motherboard, note the beep sequence and consult the motherboard manual or this thread to see what it means.
14. Try clearing your CMOS.
15. Try booting your computer with only a motherboard, CPU and one stick of RAM attached (if you don't have an iGPU, plug in your GPU as well ).
16. Make sure your GPU works (if you have a dedicated one), try it in another computer.
17. Make sure your RAM works, try it another computer.
18. Make sure the RAM is compatible with your CPU and your motherboard.

 

If the PC still doesn't POST after this, create a new thread and, as explained here, post IN FULL DETAIL about your problem. Make sure you include the following:

1. System configuration
2. Troubleshooting steps you already did
3. Any additional information that may be relevant.

 

Lastly, if you find any mistakes/grammatical errors, inaccuracies or missing steps in this post, please do post them in a comment so I can fix it.

 

 

PS: @TheXDS has posted how you can do some more in depth checking of the internal circuitry of you PSU. The only thing you need is a multimeter or potentiometer (if you're oldschool :D). You can find his post at http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/42440-readme-how-to-respond-to-a-no-post-or-no-power-up-situation/?p=4561958

Edited August 14, 2023 by MG2R
Added step of removing PCIe riser cables.

[Samdb]

Thanks for posting this, it will help a tonne of people.

[Vertifai]

If this hasn't solved the porblem, check if your PSU isn't dead. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Unplug your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with OFF or 0
2. Unplug every connector coming from your PSU (this is very important)
3. Using a bent paperclip, short out the green wire on the 24 pin header with any of the black wires, like so.
4. Plug in your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with ON or I

If the PSU does NOT power on (the fan should start spinning) after following these steps, your PSU is in all likelyhood defective. Request an RMA.

If the PSU DOES power on, then the problem is most likely your motherboard.

Very nice check list well done and can see this helping.

But some PSUs won't power on under no load. and some PSUs in more recent time does not spin the fan if they are under a certain load. I would also try to test with a very light load: a ODD, dead HDD, fans or any other item that will ether indicate that you PSU supply’s power if the fan doesn't spin under light load. or will put a load on the PSU so it can power on.

[MG2R]

Very nice check list well done and can see this helping.

But some PSUs won't power on under no load. and some PSUs in more recent time does not spin the fan if they are under a certain load. I would also try to test with a very light load: a ODD, dead HDD, fans or any other item that will ether indicate that you PSU supply’s power if the fan doesn't spin under light load. or will put a load on the PSU so it can power on.

Every PSU will power on without a load. Some PSUs need a load of a couple of watt before their output falls within specification though. The point about the fan spinning is very valid, though. Fixing now. Fixed.

 

Thanks for the feedback

[Vertifai]

Every PSU will power on without a load. Some PSUs need a load of a couple of watt before their output falls within specification though. The point about the fan spinning is very valid, though. Fixing now. Fixed.

 

Thanks for the feedback

Well there is always +5V standby (purple)

I does however own one PSU that only spins the fan for one second when under no load (could easy be missed when trouble shooting) But since that i don't think many new system builders are going to use a 1998 Compaq 145W PSU then i agree with you that is probably not a issue :D

[colonel_mortis]

@Windspeed36 could you make this sticky or merge it with the sticky post (or would you rather if I merged it into the post on there?) to help out more people.

[MG2R]

Thanks for the sticky

[megadarkwood]

This helped me out, thanks!

[xxmoney96xx]

Thank you, this will be very helpful in my upcoming build.

[CubesTheGamer]

So, you've put together your brand new, shining rig. You plug in the power cord and push the button. Nothing happens. What now? The answer depends on what is happening:

 

 

The machine doesn't do anything. No beeps, LEDs or spinning fans.

1. Check if your power cable is firmly plugged in on both ends (you would be surprised how many issues this resolves)
2. Check if the power supply (PSU) has a button to cut the power to the machine. Check if this button is in the position denoted with ON or I
3. Check if EVERY power cable is plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
4. Check if the power button is installed correctly (consult your motherboard manual)
5. Try shorting out the pins you connect the power button to manually. If this powers on your system, you have a faulty power button.
6. Check with a device of which you know that it works if the power outlet you're using is actually providing power.

If this hasn't solved the porblem, check if your PSU isn't dead. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Unplug your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with OFF or 0
2. Unplug every connector coming from your PSU (this is very important)
3. Using a bent paperclip, short out the green wire on the 24 pin header with any of the black wires, like so.
4. If you have a PSU that shuts down its fan under low load, or a PSU that is fanless, connect something small like a hard drive to it.
5. Plug in your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with ON or I

If the PSU does NOT power on (the fan/hard drive you connected should start spinning) after following these steps, your PSU is in all likelyhood defective. Request an RMA.

If the PSU DOES power on, then the problem is most likely your motherboard.

 

 

The machine does power up, but my screen remains black (no POST).

1. Make sure the cable coming from your monitor is attached securely to the graphics card. Also make sure it is securely attached to the monitor itself.
2. Make sure your monitor works by testing it on a different computer.
3. If you have both a dedicated GPU and an iGPU, try your monitor on both the outputs on the graphics cards as well as on the motherboard.
4. Make sure all connectors and cables are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
5. Make sure your RAM, CPU and GPU are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
6. If the motherboard you're using has debug LEDs, check the error code and consult the motherboard manual to see what it means.
7. If you have a debug speaker connected to the motherboard, note the beep sequence and consult the motherboard manual or this thread to see what it means.
8. Try clearing you CMOS.
9. Try booting your computer with only a motherboard, CPU and one stick of RAM attached (if you don't have an iGPU, plug in your GPU as well ).
10. Make sure your GPU works (if you have a dedicated one), try it in another computer.
11. Make sure your RAM works, try it another computer.
12. Make sure the RAM is compatible with your CPU and your motherboard.

 

If the PC still doesn't POST after this, create a new thread and, as explained here, post IN FULL DETAIL about your problem. Make sure you include the following:

1. System configuration
2. Troubleshooting steps you already did
3. Any additional information that may be relevant.

 

Lastly, if you find any mistakes/grammatical errors, inaccuracies or missing steps in this post, please do post them in a comment so I can fix it.

 

I don't think this is in here, but also make sure your PSU has the horsepower to support all the hardware in the machine. It also be a good try to reset the CMOS via the CMOS jumper on your motherboard. If you're not sure how to do this, Google "CMOS jumper" and you should find out how. 

[MG2R]

I don't think this is in here, but also make sure your PSU has the horsepower to support all the hardware in the machine. It also be a good try to reset the CMOS via the CMOS jumper on your motherboard. If you're not sure how to do this, Google "CMOS jumper" and you should find out how. 

1. During POST every power hungry component in your system is basically idling, so I don't think would be an issue in any system...
2. How could I forget Clear CMOS? Thanks! Added!

EDIT: clear CMOS was already in the list

[CubesTheGamer]

 

1. During POST every power hungry component in your system is basically idling, so I don't think would be an issue in any system...
2. How could I forget Clear CMOS? Thanks! Added!

EDIT: clear CMOS was already in the list

 

 

At the start, all components go to maximum power, don't they? That's what I read in my college textbook last year when I took a computer engineering course. They all start up to max power just for a few seconds then almost instantly go to idle. 

[Raboo]

This will help a lot of people

[MG2R]

At the start, all components go to maximum power, don't they? That's what I read in my college textbook last year when I took a computer engineering course. They all start up to max power just for a few seconds then almost instantly go to idle. 

Could be that I am mistaking myself. Added "make sure your PSU is powerful enough to power your complete system".

[Sack]

So, you've put together your brand new, shining rig. You plug in the power cord and push the button. Nothing happens. What now? The answer depends on what is happening:

 

 

The machine doesn't do anything. No beeps, LEDs or spinning fans.

1. Check if your power cable is firmly plugged in on both ends (you would be surprised how many issues this resolves)
2. Check if the power supply (PSU) has a button to cut the power to the machine. Check if this button is in the position denoted with ON or I
3. Check if EVERY power cable is plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
4. Check if the power button is installed correctly (consult your motherboard manual)
5. Try shorting out the pins you connect the power button to manually. If this powers on your system, you have a faulty power button.
6. Check with a device of which you know that it works if the power outlet you're using is actually providing power.

If this hasn't solved the porblem, check if your PSU isn't dead. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Unplug your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with OFF or 0
2. Unplug every connector coming from your PSU (this is very important)
3. Using a bent paperclip, short out the green wire on the 24 pin header with any of the black wires, like so.
4. If you have a PSU that shuts down its fan under low load, or a PSU that is fanless, connect something small like a hard drive to it.
5. Plug in your power cord and/or flip the switch on the back of the PSU in the position denoted with ON or I

If the PSU does NOT power on (the fan/hard drive you connected should start spinning) after following these steps, your PSU is in all likelyhood defective. Request an RMA.

If the PSU DOES power on, then the problem is most likely your motherboard.

 

 

The machine does power up, but my screen remains black (no POST).

1. Make sure the cable coming from your monitor is attached securely to the graphics card. Also make sure it is securely attached to the monitor itself.
2. Make sure your PSU is powerful enough to power your complete system.
3. Make sure your monitor works by testing it on a different computer.
4. If you have both a dedicated GPU and an iGPU, try your monitor on both the outputs on the graphics cards as well as on the motherboard.
5. Make sure all connectors and cables are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
6. Make sure your RAM, CPU and GPU are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
7. If the motherboard you're using has debug LEDs, check the error code and consult the motherboard manual to see what it means.
8. If you have a debug speaker connected to the motherboard, note the beep sequence and consult the motherboard manual or this thread to see what it means.
9. Try clearing your CMOS.
10. Try booting your computer with only a motherboard, CPU and one stick of RAM attached (if you don't have an iGPU, plug in your GPU as well ).
11. Make sure your GPU works (if you have a dedicated one), try it in another computer.
12. Make sure your RAM works, try it another computer.
13. Make sure the RAM is compatible with your CPU and your motherboard.

 

If the PC still doesn't POST after this, create a new thread and, as explained here, post IN FULL DETAIL about your problem. Make sure you include the following:

1. System configuration
2. Troubleshooting steps you already did
3. Any additional information that may be relevant.

 

Lastly, if you find any mistakes/grammatical errors, inaccuracies or missing steps in this post, please do post them in a comment so I can fix it.

 

Just had this happening to me and after everything failed unplugging the VGA-cable fixed it. What was wrong? a grounding issue with the monitor...

[TheXenonMyth]

if i may add something to this post. i've had a similar problem of no POST when i recently built my new rig. the problem when identified was that i had stupidly forgotten to plug in the 8 pin connector from the PSU to the motherboard. Note- Not all motherboards require the said 8 pin connector as my old one didn't.

[MG2R]

if i may add something to this post. i've had a similar problem of no POST when i recently built my new rig. the problem when identified was that i had stupidly forgotten to plug in the 8 pin connector from the PSU to the motherboard. Note- Not all motherboards require the said 8 pin connector as my old one didn't.

Edited it in. Thanks!

[TheXenonMyth]

Edited it in. Thanks!

okay, glad to have helped!

[MG2R]

<helpful tips>

Thanks! Fixed!

 

 

1. Make sure your BIOS version is compatible with the CPU generation you're trying to run in your motherboard, you can consult the manual or the manufacturer's website about this.

[TheWall]

Thanks, i just panicked after switching to a new case, but simply removing everything and plugging it back in solved it

[soup]

¼ - Cry real tears.

½ - Panic

¾ - Blame everyone else and kick the cat[1] (then 1~ etc).

 

[1] This does not need to be yours just any that is hanging around

[MG2R]

¼ - Cry real tears.

½ - Panic

¾ - Blame everyone else and kick the cat[1] (then 1~ etc).

Error: out of space.

[ProCoComputerRepairs]

Great Info, I may turn this into a video

[juju]

i have a

cpu I5 4570

gpu750ti

motherboard MSI Z87I AC

ram  HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

cooler 1 x Noctua NH-L9i 95mm SSO2 CPU Cooler

 

 

its my first build and its not working

i am desperet

 

 

 

and a liscence for windows 7

 

 

please help

[MG2R]

-snip-

Please create a separate thread. Make sure you cover all the details we need, that means not only the PC specs, also what it does or doesn't do and what troubleshooting steps you've tried already.