I've had a PC with a Ryzen 5 5600G for about two years. It uses the integrated graphics because I don't have a separate GPU, and I've played games such as CS2 and Fortnite regularly. I recently realized I never applied thermal paste myself. This morning the monitor suddenly showed "No Signal." I tried replacing the RAM and testing both slots, removing the CMOS battery for about 30 seconds, and swapping HDMI cables, but nothing helped. Could the CPU be damaged, or is there something else I should try?
3 Answers
If the cooler came with the processor or the prebuilt system, it may already have had thermal paste pre-applied. The AMD stock cooler usually has paste on its base, so you might not have been running completely dry. Also, CPUs normally shut themselves down when they get dangerously hot, so a sudden no-signal issue does not automatically mean the CPU is dead. Turn the PC off, unplug it, and check that the cooler is firmly mounted. If you remove it, clean off the old paste and apply a small new amount before reinstalling it.
Since the 5600G has integrated graphics, the HDMI cable needs to be connected to the motherboard’s video output, not a separate graphics-card port. For troubleshooting, shut the system down and disconnect everything unnecessary, leaving only the motherboard, CPU and cooler, one RAM stick, keyboard, and monitor. Make sure the 24-pin motherboard cable and the CPU power cable are fully seated. Check whether the system powers on, whether the fans spin, and whether any diagnostic LEDs or beep codes appear.
Try a proper CMOS reset rather than only briefly removing the battery: switch off the power supply, unplug the PC, remove the battery, hold the power button for a few seconds, then wait several minutes before reinstalling it. Reseat the RAM carefully and test one stick at a time. If it still gives no display after checking the cooler, cables, and motherboard video output, having a repair shop test the board, memory, and power supply is safer than repeatedly powering it on.
The cooler is the AMD one that came with the PC, so I’ll check whether it still has paste on it and whether it’s mounted properly.