I built this PC about two months ago. It starts normally and runs for a few minutes, then the fans suddenly spin extremely fast, the display goes black, and the computer powers itself off. The fans are spinning before the shutdown, so I'm wondering whether this is caused by overheating, poor airflow, a cooler installation problem, or possibly the power supply. What should I check first?
4 Answers
This sounds most like the CPU or GPU overheating and triggering thermal protection. Check the temperatures with HWiNFO64 or a similar hardware monitor while the system is running. Also make sure the CPU cooler is firmly seated, thermal paste is applied properly, and the protective plastic film was removed from the cooler base. Fans ramping up right before a shutdown is a common sign that the system is getting too hot.
A failing or inadequate power supply can cause similar sudden black-screen shutdowns, so don’t rule it out if the temperatures are normal. You can also check Windows Event Viewer for unexpected power-loss entries, but the absence of a log doesn’t prove the power supply is fine because a hardware shutdown may happen too quickly for Windows to record much.
Monitor both CPU and GPU temperatures, not just the fan speeds. If either one climbs unusually high before the screen goes black, shut the PC down and reseat the cooler or improve the airflow. Around 80°C is worth investigating, though the exact safe limit depends on the specific hardware.
Check that every fan is actually working, especially the CPU cooler fan, and verify that the case fans are moving air in the right direction. Inspect the front dust filter, exhaust area, and cooler for blocked airflow. If temperatures look normal, the power supply could also be faulty or unable to handle the system reliably.
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