PC turned off mid gaming session and now it won’t turn on again

Title: Troubleshooting a Gaming PC That Won’t Power On: A Personal Experience

If you’ve ever faced the frustrating predicament of your gaming PC abruptly shutting down, leaving you wondering whether it’s a serious issue, you’re certainly not alone. Recently, I encountered a situation where my PC powered off mid-game as though the power supply was interrupted, yet the power indicator remained lit. After a futile attempt to restart it from the power supply unit (PSU), my computer refused to boot back up. The fans didn’t spin, leaving me stuck with a non-responsive machine.

To troubleshoot the problem, I undertook several steps:

  1. Changed the Power Lead: I tried using a different power cable to ensure that the original lead wasn’t the issue.
  2. Reseated the RAM: Occasionally, RAM seatings can become loose, so I reseated all memory modules.
  3. Reconnected Cables: I unplugged and reattached both the 24-pin and 8-pin power cables to the motherboard for a secure connection.
  4. Disconnected Peripherals: With the hope that external devices could be causing the issue, I removed all peripherals from the system.

Despite these initial attempts, the situation remained unchanged.

A Glimmer of Hope: Booting Without the GPU

Then, amid my troubleshooting, I decided to remove my graphics card (GPU) from the system. To my relief, the PC managed to boot up successfully. However, this led to further uncertainty: Was the GPU faulty, or was my power supply inadequate for my setup?

For reference, here are my PC specifications: PCPartPicker List.

Continued Troubleshooting: Exploring More Options

In a bid to resolve the problem, I attempted to lower the clock speed of the RAM and disconnected additional components. Unfortunately, these efforts did not yield any improvements. As a temporary workaround, I reverted to my old NVIDIA 1050TI graphics card, which, while showing some artifacts, allowed my system to boot.

After further consideration, I opted to invest in a new PSU and began the process of obtaining a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) from MSI for the GPU.

Final Thoughts: Power Supply Considerations

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: never settle for a power supply that merely meets the minimum wattage requirements for your components. It’s crucial to ensure you have a robust and reliable PSU that

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One Comment

  1. It sounds like you’ve already performed several key troubleshooting steps, which is great. Based on your description, since your PC powers off unexpectedly and doesn’t restart, there are a few additional things you might consider:

    • Test the Power Supply: Since removing the GPU allowed your system to boot, this could indicate a power delivery issue. Consider testing your PSU with a power supply tester or swapping in a known-good PSU to confirm if it’s functioning properly.
    • Check for Short Circuits: Inspect the motherboard and all components for any signs of physical damage, burn marks, or loose screws that could cause shorts.
    • Clear CMOS: Reset your motherboard’s BIOS by clearing the CMOS. This can resolve potential firmware issues that might prevent proper booting.
    • Inspect the Motherboard and Power Connections: Double-check that all power connectors are secure and that the motherboard isn’t showing any signs of damage.
    • Test Components Individually: If possible, try booting with minimal components—motherboard, CPU, one RAM module, and power supply—to isolate the problematic part.

    If you’ve already ordered a new PSU and are planning to RMA the GPU, that’s a solid approach. Make sure to test the new components thoroughly once you have them. If issues persist, consulting a professional technician for

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