Question PC Not turning on - only making a click noise

[annatar1]

Hello, while I was in the middle of using my PC, it randomly shut off and since then I have tried to turn it back on, but it just makes a click noise and that's it, no movement of fans at all. I tried pulling out and reconnecting all the cables on the motherboard, PSU, and GPU which didn't do anything. I tried booting the computer with just the 24 pin cable and AC and that didn't work either. I did do the paper clip test, and I could feel a small breeze coming from the PSU (so I'm assuming fans are working in the PSU for the paper clip test).

The PC is quite dirty at the moment, so I could try cleaning it completely but just wondering if anybody has any ideas for what's going on with it.

All components are 4 years old except the GPU and PSU which are 5 years old.

Thanks.

 

[Grobe]

Quite likely the PSU being defect. The "paper clip test" won't reveal how the psu operates (or don't) under load. I've tested several PSU my self this way so the test isn't very reliable so to speak.

 

[Misgar]

it just makes a click noise and that's it

The click noise is probably a relay that shorts out the NTC Thermistor input surge arrestor. That part at least appears to be working OK, as does the fan.

I think it quite likely your PSU has died and needs to be replaced. Buy/borrow/swap the PSU with another unit.

You don't mention the part number or manufacturer of your PSU, but if it came with only 1, 2 or 3 years warranty, after 5 years it may be too late to RMA.

Consider a PSU with a 10-year warranty.

The PC is quite dirty at the moment, so I could try cleaning it completely

I'd leave well alone for the time being, unless it's this dirty.

People visit this forum seeking help, when their computers stop working immediately after a session of over enthusiastic "cleaning".

Mild dusting of the fans on the CPU cooler shouldn't cause any harm, but completely disassembling the PC for a deep clean could cause even more problems.

 

[annatar1]

The click noise is probably a relay that shorts out the NTC Thermistor input surge arrestor. That part at least appears to be working OK, as does the fan.

I think it quite likely your PSU has died and needs to be replaced. Buy/borrow/swap the PSU with another unit.

You don't mention the part number or manufacturer of your PSU, but if it came with only 1, 2 or 3 years warranty, after 5 years it may be too late to RMA.

Consider a PSU with a 10-year warranty.


I'd leave well alone for the time being, unless it's this dirty.

People visit this forum seeking help, when their computers stop working immediately after a session of over enthusiastic "cleaning".

Mild dusting of the fans on the CPU cooler shouldn't cause any harm, but completely disassembling the PC for a deep clean could cause even more problems.

Thanks for the response, the PSU is a Corsair TX550M Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply if that helps at all.

 

[Misgar]

the PSU is a Corsair TX550M Gold 550 W 80+

Yes, I've got a TX550M in an old i5-4670K computer and it's working OK, but your PSU may have died.

As I said earlier, try another PSU.

I've no idea what you rig contains, but if you have a powerful GPU, a 550W PSU may not be sufficient. If your CPU and GPU are both capable of drawing up to 200W each. a higher capacity replacement PSU might be wise.

 

[annatar1]

I removed the GPU (2060 Super, 5 years old) completely and tried to turn on the PC and it turned on. Unfortunately, my CPU (Ryzen 3 3100) doesn't have integrated graphics.

So only removing the GPU completely from the motherboard is enough to get the PC on, not just unplugging the PCIE cable.