I dusted my computer and removed the Intel stock cooler from my i5-6400. It was difficult to reinstall, and one of the cooler's plastic push-pin clips broke. Afterward, the computer would not display anything, the power button light stayed off, and the CPU debug LED on my MSI B150M PRO-VHD motherboard came on. The fans still spin, and I have checked the CPU fan connection, reseated the RAM and processor, tried different RAM configurations, and reset the CMOS. Could the broken cooler clip be causing this, or should I look for another problem?
1 Answer
A broken plastic clip by itself should not stop the system from booting, as long as the cooler is making proper contact and the CPU is not overheating immediately. However, uneven mounting pressure can matter, and struggling with the cooler may also have disturbed the CPU, socket pins, motherboard power cables, or RAM. Remove the cooler and inspect the CPU socket carefully for bent pins, then reinstall the processor and cooler evenly. Also verify the 24-pin motherboard connector and 8-pin CPU power connector. If the CPU debug LED remains lit, testing with another compatible cooler or motherboard would help narrow it down.
Yes, uneven pressure is possible, but the more serious concern is whether the socket pins were bent or the CPU shifted while the cooler was being removed or reinstalled. The cooler fan spinning only confirms that the fan has power; it does not confirm proper CPU contact or a successful POST.
Could the broken clip create uneven pressure on the processor even if the fan is spinning?