The Red CPU Light On Motherboard is a common issue that many computer users face. This is an indicator that something is wrong with the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer or its connection to the motherboard. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, such as overheating, hardware failure, or incorrect installation. It is important to identify the cause of the issue and take appropriate steps to fix it in order to prevent further damage to the computer.
In this article, we will explore the possible causes of the red CPU light on the motherboard and provide solutions to fix the problem.
Red Light On Motherboard | Reasons of Occurring
- Internal hardware such as CPU, graphics card, or RAM isn’t plugged correctly or has stopped working.
- The CMOS battery may have died.
- Errors while booting the hard drive containing the operating system.
- The installed CPU may be faulty.
- The CPU fan may not be appropriately plugged in the header.
You must have noticed that the red light only appears after starting your computer, but it fails to boot. Also, it will show a pitch-black screen with no content or whatsoever. However, it can be fixed once you have specified the type of error you are facing.
The error also depends on the location of the red light. We will explore this topic further and also help you find ways to fix this issue. So, let’s get started!
How To Solve Red Light Problem On Motherboard?
You can use the following instructions to troubleshoot any boards, including the old ones with no indicators.
Note: Before doing anything, ensure that your computer is turned off and the power supply is 0.
- Disconnect the hardware you think is affected and replug it to ensure that it is seated properly. You don’t have to do this step if you have an old motherboard.
- Reset motherboard’s BIOS. For this step, you will need help from a user manual of your motherboard. Or you can visit the official website of your board’s manufacturers to get help. Another way is to remove the CMOS battery and let it rest for around five to ten minutes.
- If the CMOS battery is dead, you can consider replacing it to stop the red light from flickering.
- If none of the above steps work, simply disconnect all the hardware from GPU, hard drives, RAM, and CPU. After unplugging, check if there’s any dust over the pins or connectors. Mostly, dust and debris get stuck on the board and cause complications. If that’s the case, you can use a thin, soft eraser to clean all the pins up. It is recommended to remove all external devices, including the keyboard, mouse, etc.
- After cleaning everything up, reconnect all the hardware one by one and try to boot the computer. RAM and CPU are the necessary hardware. So, if you have more than one RAM module, then try booting the computer with each one connected individually. If your computer boots usually with no signs of the red light but without video, the problem is in the GPU.
- Now, try booting your computer without the graphics card plus one RAM stick. Hopefully, the computer will boot adequately with no red light, and you can get your GPU fixed afterward.
- Even after trying everything, you are still left with a flickering red light, then your board may be defective, or the power supply is dying. Sometimes, the power supply fails but still provides power to the motherboard and everything related to it.In this way, everything works, but the computer doesn’t boot up. If that’s the case, you can replace your power supply.
Bottom Line
In the end, if you are unable to detect the cause of the red light on the motherboard. The only thing left to do is connect an IT professional. He will find the issue and fix it for you because you don’t want to mess something up while fixing it. In this way, you will end up spending more money while trying to save some.