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My First PC Build Won't Power On — Need Some Help!

December 17, 2025 5 answers
Asked by TechSavvyTurtle23
I just finished building my first PC, but it won't turn on at all. I've checked everything I can think of. Here's a breakdown of my build: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, MSI B850 Gaming Plus motherboard, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and an MSI 850W power supply. I've already tried a few troubleshooting steps like the paper clip test, and while the PSU fan runs, nothing else happens. I also inspected the CPU pins to see if they were bent, and they looked fine. I've tried using different RAM slots and confirmed that both the PCIe and 8-pin CPU cables are connected correctly. I even attempted a minimum boot with just the CPU and cooler. I'm really stuck here, so any advice would be appreciated!
computer hardware first build Hardware PC build power issue troubleshooting

Answers

CustomRigMaster
Make sure all the cables from your case, like the power switch and reset switch, are properly connected to the motherboard. It might seem like a small thing, but those pins need to be plugged in for the system to respond.
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BuildGuru95
First things first, did you use standoffs for your motherboard? If the board is touching the case directly, it could cause a short. Make sure it's not making contact anywhere! Also, double-check the PSU power switch at the back—sometimes it’s accidentally flipped off.
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OverclockKing
Could you clarify what 'won't power on' means? Is there any sign of power like LEDs lighting up? If it's completely dead, check the power switch on the back of your PSU. For my AMD build, booting can sometimes take a bit longer, especially with the memory training, so give it a minute.
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PCFixer123
Is your CPU fan connected to the right header? It should be plugged into CPU fan 1. If it’s not, the motherboard might not boot properly because it won't detect the fan.
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NerdyBuilds
When you try to short the power pins, do you get any response at all? If nothing happens at all, make sure you’re shorting the right pins according to the manual.
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