New PC briefly flashes on, then immediately shuts off

August 31, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowPine47
I'm building my first PC, but it won't stay powered on. The fans and lights flash for about a millisecond and then everything turns off. I've checked the connections and tried changing the RAM slots, but nothing helped. The build uses a Gigabyte B850M Force motherboard, Ryzen 5 7500F CPU, Gigabyte RTX 5060 Aero graphics card, 16GB Kingston DDR5-6000 memory, a 500GB Lexar NM710 SSD, a DarkFlash DB330M case, and a Cooler Master MWE V3 750W Gold power supply. What should I check next?

Answers

SilverCactus29
Reseat the RAM and test one stick at a time in the motherboardโ€™s recommended slot. Since changing slots didnโ€™t help, inspect the CPU socket for bent pins and make sure the cooler is mounted evenly and plugged into the CPU_FAN header. An improperly installed cooler or socket issue can trigger an instant shutdown.
Reply to this answer
QuietOrbit6
Try starting the system with only the motherboard, CPU, cooler, one RAM stick, and power supply connected. Disconnect the GPU, SSD, and other accessories for the first test. Also confirm the motherboard is mounted on the correct case standoffs and isnโ€™t shorting against the case.
Reply to this answer
CloudyMarble8
First check the basic power connections: make sure the PSU switch is set to on, the 24-pin motherboard cable and 8-pin CPU power cable are fully seated, and the front-panel power-switch connector is on the correct pins. A loose CPU power cable can cause an immediate shutdown.
Reply to this answer
VividPebble52
Pictures of the motherboard, power connectors, and front-panel wiring would make this easier to diagnose. If it still shuts off with a minimal setup, the PSU or motherboard may be faulty, so testing with another known-good PSU would be a useful next step.
Reply to this answer

Add your answer

Answers are reviewed before publication.

Related Discussions