Bent AM5 Socket Pin After Replacing CPU Cooler—Could That Cause a Completely Dead PC?
Asked by
MellowOrbit42
My computer was working normally until I replaced the AIO cooler. I've built plenty of systems and checked the power connections, but now the machine shows no signs of power at all. While troubleshooting, I noticed what appears to be a bent pin in the AM5 socket and I'm wondering whether that could prevent the computer from powering on entirely. I'm especially confused because I didn't expect the CPU to need to come out just to replace the cooler, and this has left me stuck during my long weekend.
Answers
Yes, the photo appears to show a clearly bent pin in the lower part of the AM5 socket. Damage like that can absolutely stop the system from booting, and in some cases it may prevent any apparent startup at all.
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The CPU normally doesn’t need to be removed when replacing an AIO. It looks like the processor may have been removed unnecessarily, which is likely how the socket pin got damaged.
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BrightMango6: That was my thought too—the cooler swap itself shouldn’t require taking the CPU out of the socket, so the pin may have been bent during removal or reinstallation.