Can a bad PSU damage my other components?

Yes, a failing power supply can send improper voltages, potentially destroying the motherboard, CPU, or GPU.

Is coil whine dangerous?

No. High-pitched buzzing (coil whine) is annoying but generally harmless and not a sign of imminent failure.

Diagnose Power Supply (PSU) Failure Symptoms

Before you begin

Match the environmentUse this guide only for Windows 10, Windows 11 or a clearly compatible setup.

Protect recoveryBack up important data and save encryption or account recovery keys before changing system state.

Know when to stopMake one change at a time and stop if the result differs from what the guide describes.

Problem overview

Your computer shuts down abruptly under heavy load, fails to turn on entirely, or you hear concerning electrical noises. These are classic indicators that the Power Supply Unit (PSU) is struggling or failing.

Common causes

Overloading a PSU with components that draw too much power
Degraded internal capacitors due to age and heat
Power surges from the wall outlet
Dust buildup causing the PSU to overheat

Solution 1: Identify failure symptoms

Look out for the following signs before performing invasive tests:

The PC shuts down completely (without a blue screen) while gaming or rendering.
The computer fails to POST or show any signs of life when the power button is pressed.
Loud popping noises or the smell of burning plastic from the back of the case.

Expert Tip

If your PC reboots under load, check Windows Event Viewer for Kernel-Power Event ID 41. While this just means the PC shut down unexpectedly, it is highly correlated with PSU issues.

Solution 2: Perform the paperclip test

Turn off the PSU switch and unplug it from the wall.
Disconnect all PSU cables from your motherboard, GPU, and drives.
Locate the 24-pin motherboard cable. Find the single green wire (PS_ON) and any black wire (Ground).
Bend a paperclip into a U-shape and insert one end into the green wire pin and the other into a black wire pin.
Plug the PSU back into the wall and flip the switch on.
If the PSU fan spins up, it is capable of turning on. If it stays dead, it has failed completely.

Solution 3: Verify voltages with a PSU tester

Purchase a dedicated ATX PSU tester.
Plug the 24-pin, CPU, and GPU power cables directly into the tester.
Turn on the PSU.
Read the display to ensure the 12V, 5V, and 3.3V rails are within a 5% tolerance of their targets.

Critical

Never open the metal casing of a power supply to attempt repairs. The internal capacitors hold lethal amounts of voltage long after being unplugged. Always replace a faulty PSU rather than repairing it.

Confirm the result

Repeat the exact action that originally triggered the problem.

Confirm the original error or symptom is gone and no new warning has appeared.

If the guide changed a driver, service, package, or system setting, restart once and test again.

If the result is worse or unexpected, stop. Reverse only the last change using its documented restore option; if none is documented, use your backup or qualified support.

Diagnose Power Supply (PSU) Failure Symptoms

Before you begin

Problem overview

Common causes

Solution 1: Identify failure symptoms

Solution 2: Perform the paperclip test

Solution 3: Verify voltages with a PSU tester

Confirm the result

Questions about this fix

Weighted Consensus Protocol

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