The motherboard of any computer is the printed circuit board (PCB) that connects all other hardware to the processor. It performs such an important function on the computer that if it fails, it stops working. You can tell the motherboard when your computer shuts down randomly and refuses to restart. So, what causes a motherboard to fail?
There are a few steps you can take to make sure your motherboard doesn’t fail. Although a motherboard will fail anyway, due to age and unforeseen circumstances, it is less likely to fail when you take precautions against some of the most common causes of motherboard failure. This article explains some common causes of motherboard failure and how to prevent it.
Common causes of motherboard failure
Generally, three main components make a computer work: processor, storage (hard drive and RAM), and motherboard. These three parts work together to allow users to interact with the computer. But when the motherboard, which connects everything, fails, many of the components will never interact with each other again.
However, there are no early warning signs to indicate that the motherboard is about to fail. But the most important thing you can do is find out what could be causing the motherboard to fail and prevent it from happening.
Heat
One of the main causes of motherboard failure is overheating. A motherboard contains many components, such as the CPU and video card, which generate a lot of heat.
If the various components attached to the motherboard are not properly cooled to dissipate the heat, the motherboard will overheat, damaging many sensitive components. This explains why performing tasks that require many processes for long periods of time can potentially damage your computer, especially when it was not designed to handle such tasks. be
Meanwhile, you can stop by making sure all cooling fans are working properly, and the computer is kept in a well-ventilated area.
Electrical surge or spike
Another common thing that can cause your motherboard to fail is an electrical surge or spike. Power surges can be caused by many things, such as lightning strikes, wiring problems, out-of-power appliances, or even outside electrical service. Although most electrical surges or spikes are short-lived, these bursts of energy can cause many problems with the motherboard.
You can protect your computer motherboard from power surges by connecting it to a surge protector. Sometimes though, some electrical surges bypass the surge protector. To protect yourself from such cases, make sure that the power outlet you connect your computer to is grounded.
Dust and debris
Dust and foreign debris that gets into your computer can wear out the motherboard. When too much dust and debris get into your computer, they clog your computer’s heatsink and fans, causing heat to build up. In some cases, dust and debris can cause a short circuit and damage the motherboard.
Although it is difficult to keep dust and debris off the motherboard, as it must be well ventilated, you can service the computer by occasionally cleaning the interior. Also, keeping the computer clean can help keep dust and debris from getting inside.
Water
Splashing water or any other type of liquid on the motherboard can easily cause it to fail. Generally, liquids are partial conductors, and when they enter a computer’s circuit board, it causes a short circuit. As you know, motherboards contain many sensitive components, and current, no matter how small, flowing into the wrong terminal can cause damage.
To avoid this, you should not keep liquids near the computer as there are chances of it spilling. You should also not place the computer in a humid environment as moisture can cause the motherboard to rust and deteriorate.
Physical damage
If the motherboard is physically damaged, it can also cause it to fail. This physical damage can be caused by many things, including carelessness and improper handling. For example, suppose you drop your laptop or accidentally drop something on your laptop or computer. In this case, it can cause cracks in the motherboard, components on the motherboard touch areas for which it was not designed, and many other things, causing a short circuit or incomplete rotation.
A complete motherboard replacement is recommended in most cases, but it can be avoided if the damage is not too severe.
Manufacturer design defect
Motherboards are mass produced. Thus, there are chances of manufacturing defects. Most of the time, manufacturing defects stem from poor capacity, the bus architecture was not properly engineered, or it could be cooling issues. Although this is rare, it is not impossible. Manufacturers know this; Hence, they give warranty to the users depending on how long they expect the motherboard to last.
If the motherboard fails prematurely, the manufacturer will replace it at no extra cost.
Improperly seated memory module
As we said earlier, the motherboard is the circuit board where other computer components are connected. However, if these components are not installed correctly, whether they are internal or external, it can create a short circuit condition that can damage the motherboard.
To avoid this, you should always check that everything is connected and seated properly, especially when installing a new component on the motherboard, be it a new processor, RAM, Hard drive, graphics card etc.
Faulty CMOS battery
The CMOS battery isn’t the most talked about component of any computer, but it does play an important role on the motherboard. This CMOS battery is the reason why your computer remembers everything you have done on it, even when there is no battery in the computer.
Although the CMOS battery is durable and lasts a long time, it can only last for 5 to 6 years in most cases. Therefore, if not replaced, your computer will crash, drivers will disappear, and sometimes your computer won’t turn on.
Improperly connected cables
It is important that when connecting anything to the motherboard, you are sure it is connected to the correct terminal. Connecting the wrong cables to the wrong port can cause a short circuit, which can easily damage the motherboard.
So, when working on building, repairing or cleaning your computer, make sure you connect the correct cables. Use the motherboard manual as a guide even when working with a pre-build OEM machine.
Normal age and wear
Sometimes, your motherboard fails due to normal aging and wear. Eventually, your computer motherboard will fail because it has a limited lifespan. But in most cases, a motherboard will last you decades. There is little you can do to prevent this from happening except to take proper care of it.
Final Thought:
A damaged motherboard is probably the last thing you want to experience with your computer. Finding a replacement, especially if it’s a laptop, can be quite difficult, and depending on the type of motherboard and the nature of the damage, a repair service can cost a lot of money. Thus, noting the causes of a bad motherboard will help you stay alert and safe from it.