Different light indicators are available on the motherboard. These light indicators can indicate different things based on what type of model you are using. Have you seen a red light on your device’s motherboard? Then, it becomes necessary to diagnose the problem and address this immediately. If you see a red light on motherboard, it indicates a hardware problem.
And in that situation, if you use your PC or computer continuously, it might cause further damage. Remember that this issue is something that you should not ignore. Why? Because this issue can be related to some vital problems with your computer. Let’s learn what the red light on a motherboard means and how to troubleshoot this issue.
What is Red Light on Motherboard?
The red light on the motherboard means that there is a problem during the initialization process of all hardware components that are able to make up the PC. After turning on the computer, the initialization phase occurs. We know this as the POST, called Power-on-self-test.
How to Read a Red Light on Motherboard:
Newer motherboards are equipped with four main indicators. The red light is going to be illuminated next to Boot, VGA, DRAM, or CPU. Let us discuss the issues related to red light on motherboard near those peripherals:
BOOT:
- If you see a red light near the BOOT indicator, it indicates that there is an issue with the boot devices, like the hard drive. It mainly refers to the hard drive where the operating system is stored. If you have seen any specific diode starting to blink, ensure that the culprit is your HDD/SSD.
- Suppose you have assembled your laptop or PC. Then, you can see the diode blinking. The reason is that no OS is installed there.
- You need to make sure that you have connected the boot drive properly. Also, you need to ensure that you have set the boot drive as the primary one within your BIOS. If your system has not booted, your job is to unplug every storage drive except the boot drive. After that, you need to try again.
- If you are still experiencing the problem, then your boot drive might be corrupted or dead. Suppose you find the drive corrupted. In that case, you need to attempt to reinstall the OS. Otherwise, you have to replace this. Then, you should embark on this procedure from scratch.
- For SATA HDDs/SSDs, you have to ensure that you have plugged in both the Data and Power Cables. Also, you have to ensure that the SATA Port you’re using remains enabled for bandwidth sharing. If necessary, you can use another SATA port.
- For M.2 SSDs, your motherboard has to be compatible with the type of M.2 Drive and interface protocol you use.
VGA:
When a red light near VGA can be seen, it refers to a problem indicating that the position of the graphics card is wrong or it is not detected appropriately.
- You first have to make sure that the position of all the 6-pin and/or 8-pin PCIe power cables is properly placed on both the GPU and the PSU.
- You need to install your GPU in the correct slot which is PCIe x16. Or, you are able to use another PCIe slot to slot your GPU when the x16 is damaged and you aren’t using an ITX motherboard. You have to check if there is any physical damage to the GPU and the slot.
- Ensure that the back latch of the PCIe socket is clicked into place while installing the GPU.
- When you see nothing works, you should use the iGPU of your CPU only when it has an integrated graphics chip. Otherwise, your task is to replace the graphics card your device has.
- You are able to use your GPU on your friend’s PC to check if the red light on motherboard persists. Or you can use another GPU on your PC to get rid of the problem.
- It is essential to plug your Monitor into the Graphics Card when your device comes with a discrete GPU. If you use an iGPU, you need to plug this into the display connector of your motherboard.
DRAM:
The red light near the DRAM means that the RAM module isn’t properly seated. You may see that the side clamps that are available on both sides of a RAM stick aren’t locked down. Then, it can be a problem.
- Suppose your system includes more than one stick. If so, you need to check their brand and frequency to see if these are the same. If you mix RAM modules, it can cause a lot of issues.
- You have to make sure that the RAM sticks get properly seated.
- Use a single RAM module if necessary to boot up your system. You should try every RAM module one at a time so that you are able to identify which one is damaged. Another thing is that you need to place this in the correct slot, which is the second one from the CPU.
- Due to the bent CPU pins, the DRAM LED can light up. Therefore, it is vital to double-check the pins of your motherboard and CPU to ensure there is no damage.
- RAM modules that you use have to be listed on the Motherboard’s QVL (Qualified Vendor List). If you don’t find them in the list, these might not support your motherboard.
CPU:
If you see a red light near this indicator, it indicates that the motherboard is unable to recognize the CPU. You might see that one of the CPU pins is bent or the CPU itself isn’t properly plugged in. Besides, you can see the red light when the CPU fan is not plugged in. Because of these reasons, this light can start illuminating. Even the red light can be seen due to a dead CMOS battery.
- Ensure that your CPU supports the motherboard QVL (Qualified Vendor List).
- Update the BIOS when the CPU is manufactured later than your motherboard.
- The diode can blink due to an improperly installed CPU. You have to make sure that your processor is connected correctly. Besides, all the necessary power cables from the PSU(4-pin, 8-pin!) need to be connected properly.
- Otherwise, you should try to unmount your device’s CPU cooler. Also, you have to remove the processor from the socket.
- You can reseat the processor. Then, you can use thermal paste in an adequate amount. Next, you have to remount the heatsink.
- If it does not yield any change, it could happen that the CPU is defective. If it happens, go for a replacement.
Reason for Red Light on Motherboard:
These are a few reasons due to which you can see the red light:
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Faulty Battery:
Suppose, you are seeing the red light on the motherboard again and again. Then, it might indicate that there is a problem with the CMOS battery. Battery plays a vital role because it helps to preserve the BIOS settings when you have powered off the system.
BIOS settings might be lost when the battery does not work accurately. As a result, both the clock and the oscillator might not work. In this case, investing in a new one is the best thing you can do.
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BIOS Issue:
If you see a red light near the RAM on the motherboard, you might face a problem with the BIOS or its settings. The crucial software in a computer is the BIOS. It is responsible for controlling the whole system. So, if there are any wrong settings, it can create the red light on motherboard issue. When you see the settings not getting adjusted accurately, it might happen that the computer is unable to boot up.
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Computer Overheating:
The red light on the motherboard sometimes indicates that the computer is overheating. So, you have to check the temperature around the CPU or the graphic cards. In that case, you can find the fans defective. Or you can see the RGB lighting system not working properly.
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POST- Power-On Self-Test:
The standard form of this term is Power-On Self-Test. This test occurs whenever the PC system starts, with each single boot cycle. POST accesses CPU, hard drives, DRAM, and other crucial hardware elements.
Signals can be detected by the test when any element is misaligned or defective. Sometimes, it may happen that the PC system cannot load the home screen. As a result, you can see the error showing up on the screen. Moreover, you can hear some beeping sounds that come from the computer.
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Compatibility:
It may happen that a few hardware components might not be compatible, due to which you can see a red light on the motherboard. Have you bought a new component or a new PC recently? In that case, you have to check for compatibility issues. Damaged components are another problem you can face. So, what you have to do is to replace the old components which are not working accurately.
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RAM Issue:
You can see the red RAM light on the motherboard when the problem is with the RAM. A test needs to be performed to check if any problem exists with the RAM sticks or the RAM’s placement.
If you are willing to perform such a test, your first task is to remove a RAM stick. Then, you should try to boot up your system except using this. If you have seen that the problem is resolved, then the issue might be with the other RAM stick. Or it could happen that the position of the RAM is not correct. Or the RAM sticks might not support this.
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CPU Power Cable:
When you use a defective CPU power cable, it will not get sufficient power. And the same thing happens if you are unable to connect this to the motherboard. It can be the reason because of which you are facing the issue.
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PSU Issue:
PSUs cannot work properly and power the CPU on rare occasions.
Critical Fixes for the Red Light on Motherboard:
Let us learn the following critical fixes for the Red Light on Motherboard.
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Check All The Connections:
The easiest way you can try to get rid of the red light on motherboard issue is to check every connection to ensure all are correctly positioned. It is essential to connect all cables and components. Although it may seem like a waste of time, it may happen that you have overlooked a certain condition or you have misinterpreted some instructions.
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Verify That Cables Are Properly Plugged In:
Do you use an old motherboard model that has an unlabeled red LED? Then, it is essential to take some broader steps in order to determine what has gone wrong. If you have not taken the necessary steps, you need to unplug the cables and then try to reconnect them to the motherboard or its installed components.
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Check If Your Hardware Is Compatible:
It might happen that the connections did not create the issue. So, you can face the problem due to incompatible hardware. Ensure that you are using compatible RAM, motherboard, HDD/SSD, GPU, CPU, and PSU. Some ways you can follow to check if hardware supports your system. If you want, you are capable of checking compatibility using your motherboard’s QVL.
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Reset The Motherboard BIOS:
If any configuration is faulty, you can see the red light on the motherboard. Whenever there is any unstable overclocking configuration, you can experience the problem. When you are unable to fix the problem by applying the previous steps, you should attempt reviving your motherboard. To do so, you need to reset the BIOS to its default settings. After booting your computer, your job is to press the BIOS key (which is generally F2 or F12) until you see the BIOS.
As soon as you see BIOS, you can navigate through different options and have to continue doing this until you see the Factory Default option. Based on the BIOS, you can name this like Reset to Default or Setup Defaults. In order to load Factory Default, you have to hit Enter. After that, you need to hit Enter again when you see a prompt asking you to confirm.
At last, you need to exit BIOS. Then, you have to save all the necessary changes. Now, check if the red light is still illuminating. If you reset the BIOS, it will remove the installed BIOS updates. Suppose your CPU depends on a BIOS update to work correctly. In that case, it is necessary to reinstall the BIOS update before the system starts booting. You can also try to remove and reinstall the CMOS battery to reset the BIOS.
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Check The PSU:
PSU can be the reason behind this, though it occurs on rare occasions. If you are willing to test the PSU, your task is to remove the CPU or the GPU. Then, you have to check if you can see the red light. It may happen that the PSU is not that powerful to be compatible with the CPU and the GPU.
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Reseat Motherboard Hardware Components:
The red light can start illuminating on your motherboard due to improper connections. So, it is vital to check all your hardware on the motherboard to ensure that it is seated properly. Now, your job is to release the tabs. Next, you need to remove RAM. Once you do this, you have to reseat it. After connecting the PC to power, you should check if the light is still illuminating. You should also reinstall the CPU, HDD/SSD, GPU, and PSU.
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Replace The CMOS Battery:
If your device uses a depleted CMOS battery, you can see the red light illuminating on your motherboard. You can order and install a CR2032 battery to replace the CMOS battery quickly. Ensure that you double-check you are buying the proper type. The battery’s location relies on the form factor of your motherboard.
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Check If The Motherboard Or PSU Is Dying:
A dying motherboard or PSU might be the culprit behind the red light on the motherboard problem. In such cases, you need to connect this to another system, and then you have to replace the cables. You can try other solutions to get rid of the red light on motherboard issue. But if nothing works and even replacing the PSU will not help, you can ensure that the motherboard is dead.
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Unstable Overclock:
An unstable overclock is one of the reasons behind blinking LEDs and the CPU LEDs. Due to this reason, the CPU LEDs start blinking and then stay lit. So, what you should do is reset the BIOS to remove all overclock settings. After that, your job is to boot your PC without facing any trouble. As soon as you see the PC booting up, you have to lower the overclock values. Then, you need to run a few stress tests. These will assure you about the stability of the overclock.
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Storage Device Check:
In this case, you may have to take assistance from your friends. You need to replace the storage device to check the booting method. Your system might have an issue. You can ask your friend to give you a storage device. After borrowing the device, you can check if the computer has started working or not.
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Try A Different Power Outlet:
When your motherboard does not have sufficient power, you may see a red light illuminating. If you are one of those who are willing to address the problem, you need to plug the computer into a different power outlet. If you still see the light illuminating, the problem can be with the outlet or power supply.
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Ensure Proper Ventilation And Airflow:
You can experience the problem on your motherboard due to overheating. It might be the reason behind different issues with computer hardware. If you want proper airflow and ventilation, you first have to ensure that air can circulate around your computer. It indicates that you need to keep your computer away from the wall or any other object that may block the airflow.
Ensure that the fans and vents of your computer are clean enough. Also, these must function accurately. Remember that vents and fans can be accumulated by dust and debris. As a result, it can impede airflow. It results in your computer overheating. So, you should always clean the vents and fans to prevent overheating.
Have you kept your computer in a poorly ventilated area? If anything like this happens, you should use a cooling pad. You can use other cooling solutions to keep the hardware cool. It ensures that your device remains safe from overheating issues. Besides, it helps to improve the computer’s overall performance.
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Disconnect All Peripherals And Connectors:
Applying this trick can help you to get rid of the problem. In this case, all you have to do is to remove your external connectors and peripheral devices.
You may need to detach your keyboard, mouse, or speakers. In addition, you may have to remove all cables except the power and display cables. Now, your job is to power on your computer. If you see your system starting to boot, you need to connect the cables and peripherals one by one. Thus, you can find out the faulty connection among them.
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Seek Professional Help:
After applying all the methods, if you still see the red light illuminating, it might be the time when you have to take professional help. You can seek assistance from a qualified technician or computer repair service who will use the necessary tools to diagnose the hardware problems. After analyzing the system, the exact cause can be identified on your motherboard.
If you don’t have tech knowledge but you are still trying to fix hardware problems, it can damage your computer. It is advised to seek professional assistance for complex hardware repairs.
Alternatives to Fix the Red Light on Motherboard:
These are some troubleshooting ways you can attempt to get rid of the issue on your motherboard:
- Re-install The CPU: You have to remove your CPU cooler and processor. After doing this, you need to reinstall both the CPU and the cooler.
- Check CPU Cooling: The CPU fan has to spin in the right way. Ensure that the CPU cooler is attached securely. If there is a loose or malfunctioning cooler, it can trigger warnings and lead to the red light on motherboard issue.
- Update BIOS Firmware: Suppose you have installed a new CPU recently on the old motherboard model. It may happen that the new CPU is not supported unless you perform a BIOS update. You need to install a known supported CPU first. Next, you need to update the BIOS before the reinstallation of the new processor. You have to check compatibility on the support page of your motherboard.
- Test the CPU: You are able to test the CPU to ensure that it is functioning properly. It will help to determine whether the problem is with the CPU or not.
The Bottom Line:
Try these methods that we have mentioned in this article one by one to get rid of the red light on motherboard problem. If you have any doubts or confusion, you can ask us via comments.
