Troubleshooting a Peculiar PC Issue: My Computer Runs Only When Heated

Have you ever encountered a situation where your computer behaves oddly, only booting after some unconventional coaxing? I recently faced this perplexing scenario with my setup, and I’m hoping to share my experience and gather some insights from fellow tech enthusiasts.

System Specifications

First, let me outline my hardware configuration:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
• Motherboard: Asus PRIME B350M-A (updated to the latest BIOS)
• RAM: 2x HyperX FURY 8GB, 2400Mhz
• Power Supply: Thermaltake 600W, 80 Plus White Smart Series

All components are approximately 1.5 to 2 years old, and I have never engaged in overclocking or voltage adjustments.

The Quirky Problem

As the title suggests, my PC will not power on after being shut down overnight. The only way I can get it to start again is by using a hairdryer to heat it up. After this initial boot, it operates normally for extended periods, whether that’s hours or days.

I’ve taken several steps to troubleshoot the problem:

• Completely reassembled the setup
• Tested with just one memory stick
• Minimal peripherals connected

To put the hardware through its paces, I ran Prime95 for about nine hours without encountering any errors—although the CPU temperature did reach around 89°C. MemTest86 and OCCT CPU tests also returned favorable results with no errors detected.

Environmental Considerations

It’s worth noting that I live in a tropical climate with high temperatures ranging from 24 to 32°C and significant humidity year-round. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to spare components such as another power supply or motherboard for further testing.

Recent Developments

An update on the situation: After powering down the PC yet again, it again refused to boot the following day. I had to resort to the hairdryer technique once more. This time, I carefully avoided directly heating the power supply unit, focusing instead on warming the front and middle sections of the case—particularly beneficial given the micro-ATX form factor. After about 4 to 5 minutes of gentle heat, the system powered on, leading me to suspect that the issue may stem from a poor connection somewhere on the motherboard.

Additionally, I’ve noticed a troubling anomaly with the Windows clock.