Last year, we saw many changes, including technology shortages. Many people had trouble finding a desktop or laptop to buy! Sometimes all you need is a replacement part that will get you up and running again.
If your computer is giving you problems and you think it’s the motherboard, there are things to check. Before you run out and buy a replacement, read about these top 7 signs of motherboard failure.
1. Early Signs of Motherboard Failure
You may get early signs of motherboard failure on a laptop or desktop computer. These early issues could be warnings. One symptom to look for is that your device is slow to startup.
Some people love the convenience of Macbooks or other laptops. When they start lagging on startup, that could mean you’ve got a bad motherboard. If you have checked other things like your internet and disk space, you may be seeing signs of motherboard failure on the laptop.
After checking everything you can, it may be time to get a professional involved. You want your system to last a long time, so you need a company with restoration experience. You should take it to a reliable business that specializes in this type of repair.
2. Blue Screen of Death
That trendy term may frighten some tech gurus. It means you have a system failure. It is not always a motherboard failure, but it is possible. It might even mean your computer is on the verge of death, so it is best to check out that motherboard soon.
Sometimes the blue screen means you have a driver problem. It is not always as complicated as the motherboard. Knowing how to troubleshoot can help you save some time and money in the process.
3. Device Will Not Power On
If your computer or laptop won’t power on at all, that is one of the motherboard failure symptoms. It is a definite hardware failure. You want to find out what part of the hardware got broken.
You may even get some lights blinking, making you think it will power up. That could be a power supply going bad that has not died all the way. If it’s not the power supply, the motherboard may need to get replaced.
The POST (power on system test) is another way to note hardware problems. That is the way a computer tests itself when powering up. It makes sure the unit has no hardware issues before the operating system gets loaded.
4. Burning Smells
If something smells like it’s on fire, that could a sign of motherboard failure. Sometimes that smell comes from physical damage.
It could have chipped circuits or transistors that burned up. Those would cause the motherboard to fail or die.
A burning smell means something is wrong and needs to get checked right away. That is not one of those things that can wait until you get more time. It could be something else, like a power supply issue, but a burning smell needs attention.
5. Unit Runs Hot
You have ventilation areas on your laptop and desktop computers. These help keep your system cool. If you find that your unit is running hot, these may need to get cleaned right away.
When the ventilation outlets become clogged, they can cause the system to overheat. Heat can make a motherboard bend. Even a small change like that can put pressure on screws and connectors.
If a motherboard does not fit well, it will give you problems. It has to get seated the right way in the unit, or it won’t work well. Soon it’s likely to die altogether.
Prevention is one smart way to keep your ventilation working as it should. Make sure you clean your laptop or computer. You can use compressed air or a lint-free cloth to do this.
Keeping dust out of your unit is the best way to avoid overheating the internal system. You might not get all the dust, but you can keep it from clogging up and causing motherboard failure.
6. Device Freezes Up
If you’re in the middle of working on your computer and it freezes up, that could be one of the motherboard failure symptoms. It could be a minor glitch and then start back working.
When the glitches become more frequent, that could mean trouble is around the corner. If your programs stop in the middle of loading, and your system keeps freezing up, it could be the motherboard.
Look for consistent patterns of freezing. When your motherboard is about to die, you will see it happen more. When this starts, it might run fine one time and then the next it gives you problems the whole time you use it.
7. Won’t Recognize Other Devices
If you’ve used a flash drive, you may have gotten error messages. Those start showing your computer won’t detect the device.
Sometimes that’s as simple as a bad drive. If you’ve tried other devices and still get error messages, that could mean these are motherboard failure symptoms..
When many external devices don’t get recognized, that’s generally a bad sign. That means it’s not the individual hardware issue. Your mouse, flash drive, and printer are not all dying at the same time.
Keep Your System in Check
Seeing signs of motherboard failure need to get checked soon. It can cost a lot to repair or replace. That’s why it’s one of the components best left to a professional, so you don’t cause more harm.
You have to find the exact place that got damaged. If it’s a problem that mimics a motherboard issue, you could get lucky and only need to repair a few small things.
Realizing you have a failing motherboard doesn’t have to cause you stress. When you need a repair, we can get your computer running again. Contact us today for more information on our services and how we can help!
