Motherboards are extremely important for your PC. A motherboard is the main component where all the components of your PC are connected with each other and more importantly, they communicate with each other through the motherboard as well.
Without a motherboard, it would not be possible for the computer to work at all. Sure, if one of the slots on the motherboard like a single RAM slot, or a PCI-e slot stops working, you will be able to use your computer.
However, if your motherboard gives up altogether, you will have to invest in a new one.
There are various levels of motherboard failures that normally take place; there are times when the motherboards fail right away.
However, there are also situations in which motherboards start showing the sign of failure. The whole process of troubleshooting can be a difficult one if you are not sure about these failures.
With that said, in this article, we are going to talk about some of the methods through which you can tell if your motherboard is failing or not.
Not Booting at All
One of the most common symptoms of motherboard failure is basically the failure to boot. If you plug in all the components and all the cables, and the computer still fails to boot, then it means that there is something wrong with the motherboard.
However, this is not just limited to the motherboard, there are times when the issue could be with the power supply unit or something else entirely.
If at first, the computer does not boot at all, do check the other components, especially the power supply unit to actually see if something has gone bad or not.
Computer Shuts Down After Turning On
One of the most common signs of a motherboard failure refers to the computer shutting down as soon as it turns on.
This issue happens to be a lot more common than you might think in the first place. If you turn on the computer, and the rest of the components turn on for a second and then turn off right after that with no sign of power.
This could be another indicator of the motherboard going bad.
Constant Window Errors
Another really common issue that shows that there is something wrong with the motherboard is that you start getting constant Window errors.
Mostly, these errors could relate to the drivers, but if the errors keep recurring and do not go away at all, then you might be running into a major motherboard issue that can be a huge issue.
Blue Screen of Death
The blue screen of death or BSOD error is one of the most common issues that can occur when a component fails. However, this issue happens to be so random and volatile that the cause of this issue can be entirely different.
Often times, the BSOD occurs because of a failing RAM, it can be GPU, as well as an HDD. The best way is to read the codes that come into the play, and then understand what the error is saying. You can check the code and cross check it with Google.
Frequent and Random Freezing
If you are experiencing frequent and random freezing, that could be another issue that tells you that there is something wrong with the motherboard.
Sure, you would need to check your other components and devices as well to find out whether the issue is related to those components or not, but you will certainly have to do a full-fledged troubleshoot in order to find the core of the issue that might be a problem.
Devices Are Not Working
Another common issue that might tell you that you are running into a bad motherboard is related to the devices not working at all.
Especially if the devices were working previously and not working anymore. This could relate to the motherboard’s input and output failing altogether.
So, that is one of the most important things that you must keep in mind whenever you are trying to figure out if your motherboard is failing or not.
Bloated Capacitors
If your computer is freezing, not starting at all, or crashing a lot. The signs might be a lot more physical than you can think in the first place.
To troubleshoot this instance properly, I would suggest that you open your PC’s case, and once that is opened, you do check whether or not some of the capacitors are bloated.
This is a classic case of a motherboard failure and something that can be repaired as well. For instance, if your motherboard is outside of warranty, the capacitors are bloated, you can actually get it fixed.
Many computer hardware repairers can fix the case of bloated capacitors with ease, and the best part is that it is not that expensive either.
It can basically save you from spending a lot of money on a brand new motherboard, especially if your motherboard is of an older chipset, or is generally an expensive model.
Related Post: Intel Z390 Chipset Motherboards
Conclusion
Trying to figure out what is wrong with the motherboard is something that is never an easy task. You can run into a lot of issues when trying to find out a bad motherboard.
That is why you always take care of these things and keep in mind that if you are running into an issue, it is best if you take professional help before deciding whether it is the motherboard that has gone bad or it is an issue with some other component.
Going through the troubleshooting process can be a tedious one, and can often lead to a dead end, so it is always better to keep everything in check and then make a decision as to what needs to be checked.