FAQ

Motherboard powers on, then back off

Last Update: 2017/04/24

If you motherboard powers on then right back off,  that may signify a fault of some sort. Normally an electrical short or possible missing component.

Time Powered On Likely Source of the Issue
0s
No Power/No LEDs
(board doesn't turn on at all)
  • PSU is turned off or not plugged into working outlet. (yes, this does happen.)
  • Power cables are not connected.
  • Case header is not wired correctly
  • Bad ground
  • PSU Failure
  • Motherboard Failure
<1s
On and Off immediately
  • Bad ground
  • Poorly seated connectors or components (commonly a wrong cable connected to a modular PSU)
  • Power outside of specification. Can indicate a failing PSU or a failed component.
  • Bent pins (rare but possible)
  • Internal short on board; motherboard failure.
  • Some chipsets will do this when the CMOS is cleared, however they should power back on within 5 seconds.
1s - 10s
Turns on but doesn't boot
>10s
Turns on, but no display
  • CMOS checksum error - Press F1 (will usually give display but occasionally it won't)
  • Discrete graphics card is unable to output display
    • Monitor might be attached to integrated GPU
    • PCIe slot may not be working, might want to reseat the card in another slot.
    • Check GPU power connectors
  • Check CPU cooler to make sure it is not too tight
  • Check POST error code LED for other potential issues.
>10s
Has display, but shuts off unexpectedly
  • Check BIOS for CPU temp, could be overheating. POST LED should begin displaying CPU temp once the self test is complete. If you see the temps climbing up into the 70s during boot, this would likely indicate CPU overheating as well.
  • Check voltages for fluctuations or signs of PSU failure
  • A peripheral is failing during initialization; might be GPU losing display signal.

Some additional tips:

  • You can also try starting the motherboard without the CPU 8 pin power connector installed to see if it stays running,  If it does stay running at that point it would be recommended to remove the CPU and check the pins in the cpu socket to make sure none of them are damaged/missing.
  • Lastly would be to remove the board completely from the case, and place it on a non conductive surface.   Remove everything from the board except CPU, heatsink, 24 Pin power and  the cpu power connector (8 or 4 pin) and at that point  try posting the board with the minimum of components and see if it does post and not power off,  If it does then add 1 component at a time until you find which component is causing the failure. 
  • Unfortunatley not all motherboards have this LED readout so if you are using another manufacture (non-EVGA) it will likely have another method for your to obtain its POST status (usually beeps or status LEDs placed around the board). You might need to check your manual for guidance using these boards.

If you have an EVGA product that seems to be at the epicenter of this issue, and these suggestions don't seem to be working, it might be time to ask us a few questions:

  1. Please register your EVGA product using its
    serial number
    at https://www.evga.com/support/register.asp
  2. Then contact our Customer Support using the methods described below.

To contact EVGA Customer Support:

Login to your EVGA account and submit a support ticket!

or

Send us an email:

If all else fails,
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