Question Recurring VGA light on motherboard even after manufacturer warranty fix

[sweet_potato]

https://imgur.com/a/uBiFEYk

Hello everyone,

In November 2024, I decided to build my first desktop PC. It was meant to be a starting PC good enough for casual gaming.

PC Components:
• Motherboard: MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi DDR5
• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF (3.6GHz, 12-core)
• Cooler: Corsair iCue Link H150i RGB Liquid
• RAM: Teamgroup T-Force DDR5-6000 (2x16GB) CL30
• Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2TB M.2 NVMe (PCIe 4.0)
• GPU: Gigabyte AERO OC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB
• PSU: Corsair RM850 (850W, 80+ Gold, Fully Modular)
• OS: Windows 11 Pro


I built the PC following a YouTube guide, and everything worked smoothly—Windows installed, BIOS updated, drivers installed, and gaming performance was great. All temperatures were normal.

However, after three months of normal use (no overclocking except for the XMP profile for RAM, and no prior issues), I turned on my PC and stepped away for a few minutes. When I returned, the screen was black with no signal to the monitor. I then noticed that the VGA debug light on the motherboard was lit. I checked all connections, but nothing helped. I hadn’t changed or touched anything before this happened—it seemed completely random.

I decided to take the PC to the Micro Center for diagnostics. They found issues with both the motherboard and CPU but couldn’t determine the cause. Other components, including the GPU, were tested and found to be working fine. Micro Center suggested buying new parts from them and offered to replace them for $300 (on top of the cost of new parts), which I felt was too expensive for what they were offering. So, I decided to send the faulty parts to the manufacturers, as both were still under warranty.

I went through the warranty process with Intel and MSI. MSI sent back the same motherboard, supposedly repaired, while Intel replaced the CPU with a different working unit. Neither company specified what was wrong with the parts.

After receiving the components, I rebuilt the PC, triple-checked everything, and powered it on— only to face the exact same issue. The VGA debug light is still on, and there’s no signal to the monitor.

I also tried these things that some people suggested in different threads and nothing worked:

1. Booting with 1 ram
2. Place ram at 1,3 instead of 2,4
3. Tested hdmi and DP cable
4. Seated GPU on first PCIe slot and tried both ends of PCIe cable
5. Tried second PCIe slot
6. Reset CMOS
7. Dusted PCIe slots
8. Switched out PCIe cable that connects to GPU and PSU
9. Set monitor to right display - tried out all of them: dp, 3 different hdmi slots

At this point, I’m running out of ideas. Here are my thoughts:

1. Faulty PSU? Maybe it’s damaging components when powered on, but I’d expect Micro Center or the manufacturers to have identified PSU-related damage.
2. ⁠Motherboard not actually fixed? Perhaps the motherboard is still faulty despite the repair. Since my CPU lacks integrated graphics, I can’t test the motherboard or CPU independently.

If anyone has suggestions on what to do next or what might be causing this issue, I’d be extremely grateful. Thank you in advance!

 

[Ralston18]

This motherboard?

https://download-2.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/mb/B760GAMINGPLUSWIFIDDR4_EN.pdf

[Verify that I found the applicable document.]

Review and/or reread the entire motherboard User Guide/Manual and pay close attention to all fine, print, warnings, etc..

Double check that all installed components are on the motherboard's QVL (Qualified Vendors List). Go online as listed in the documentation to obtain updated information.

= = = =

Details matter:

For example the motherboard requires that the first physically installed RAM be placed in DIMM_A2.

Reference - numbered Page 28.

Check RAM, check the configuration details.

The do the same with respect to video hardware components, drivers, and configuration settings.,

Hopefully all that is amiss is that there is some error of omission or commission. Something overlooked or possible not readily apparent.

 

[sweet_potato]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, that is the correct MB although I have the DDR5 version.

I verified that all the components are listed as compatible on the MB website.
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B760-GAMING-PLUS-WIFI/support#cpu

The only thing is that they are listing Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 from MSI only. I am using Gigabyte AERO OC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB. I am not sure if this could be the source of the issue.

I did go throught the MB manual and I made sure that all components are installed as instructed in the manual.

I have noticed that the GPU fans continue to spin after I power on the PC now. When the PC was working the fans would stop spinning after powering up.

 

[sweet_potato]

Here is a summary from the MicroCenter. I feel like some things they said are contradicting but maybe I am misunderstanding it. I really just don't know what could be the cause of the issue or what part needs to be replaced because they suggested that I need new CPU and MB, which I did, and after using the repaired units it didn't solve the No Display issue.