PC Powers Off with Click Sound When Heatsink is Loose – Help!
Asked by
TechieWizard92
Hey everyone,
I just built a new PC, but I'm running into a serious issue. Originally, my computer wouldn't start at all, and I found out it was because the CPU heatsink was screwed on too tightly. After loosening it, the PC worked for a bit, but now I'm facing a new problem. Whenever I loosen the heatsink, the power supply makes a clicking sound and the computer shuts down immediately.
I suspect there might be a short circuit or some other problem, so I ran a few tests:
- I took the motherboard out of the case and disconnected everything except the CPU.
- I removed the CPU fan, cleaned it, and made sure to follow the manual for mounting.
- I even switched the mounting position from offset to normal.
- Finally, I removed and reinstalled the CPU.
At this point, I'm wondering if the issue is with the heatsink or the motherboard. Any ideas on what to do next? Also, I included a video of the problem so you can see it in action. Here's the link: [Video of the problem](https://streamable.com/ey7jpa)
Answers
What brand of power supply unit (PSU) are you using? I've had issues with some PSUs where they just don't deliver enough power, and the computer shuts off immediately. Seems like that might be the case here if it keeps shutting down.
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Did you try reseating the CPU after removing the heatsink? The screws shouldn’t be so tight that they could warp the motherboard unless something’s off with the installation. It’s possible you might have to check if there’s a mounting issue or ensure everything is aligned correctly. Double-checking the instructions and applying new thermal paste might also help.
TechieWizard92: I didn’t reseat the CPU after removing the heatsink; I’ll try that next. Thanks for the tip!
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TechieWizard92: It's a be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W, 80 Plus Gold. So I thought it was good.