I've noticed that whenever I boot up my PC, there's a distinct smell coming from the back. It's not bad—it smells sort of like new electronics, not like burning plastic or anything. This smell only occurs on bootup and fades quickly. I'm guessing it might be the power supply unit (PSU) or the exhaust fan. Interestingly, when I'm gaming or using demanding applications, there's no smell at all. Just to give you some context, I built my PC about three weeks ago.
5 Answers
You could try a funny little trick: smell each component up close! You might be able to pinpoint where the smell is strongest. It's a bit odd, but it works.
As long as it smells like new electronics or factory residue when you first power it on, it should be fine. If you start noticing smoke or any persistent smells that are linked to heat, then you might have an issue. Make sure nothing is overheating to avoid long-term problems!
I had a similar issue that turned out to be my PSU. I think it’s around 90% likely to be the problem, especially if it’s a cheaper model. The other 10% could be wires touching hot surfaces or issues with the motherboard.
That doesn’t sound normal. If I had to guess, it’s likely coming from your PSU. You might want to keep an eye on it just in case.
Any troubleshooting steps you would recommend?
Usually, that 'electronics smell' can indicate failing capacitors, which are often found in the PSU. Just keep an eye on it!
I think it’s coming more from the exhaust fan. Got any troubleshooting tips?