Imagine you are going through an important task just when your computer freezes or shuts down completely. What’s worse, it won’t even start again! How would you feel? Annoyed? Disturbed?
You can encounter this situation easily if the CPU fails to operate and dies for any reason. There can be a lot of reasons for the untimely death of your processor. But first, you will have to be sure if your CPU is really dead.
How to tell if the CPU is dead? When you try to power on your computer. If it fails to boot up the BIOS or sends out beeps, you should be sure that your CPU is dead inside.
In this article, I am going to talk about all the signs of a failed CPU and also mention the reasons behind a dead CPU. Stick to the end to know how to prevent your CPU from dying.
Signs That Your CPU is Dying
In this part, I am going to talk about some of the most common signs you can get in case your CPU is damaged and is dying eventually. They include:
Your PC Shuts Off Automatically:
It can be a really frustrating sign if your computer just starts shutting off automatically without any prior warning. The worst is when it keeps happening randomly. Most people have a tendency of avoiding such issues.
However, this simple disturbance can possibly mean that your CPU needs attention. In these cases, you need to find the components that are malfunctioning and diagnose other parts too.
In most cases, this happens when your computer gets overheated with time. It might start with a few automatic shutdowns first, eventually leading to a dead CPU.
Bootup Problems:
The first thing we get after powering on a computer is the BIOS POST (Power On Self Test). This is a system diagnostic test that makes sure that all of your hardware is working properly. If everything’s fine, the computer will boot as usual.
On the other hand, if something is wrong, the computer will not boot, and you will get an error message with the problem. Generally, if any of the hardware is already damaged, you will get a message as “Missing Hardware.”
However, it’s also possible that the BIOS POST could not identify the issue and started normally only to end up freezing or restarting after a while. While this can be simply a problem in any other hardware, we can’t blow away the possibility of the CPU dying.
Computer Not Turning On:
This is another vital symptom that might mean that your CPU is dead inside. There can be at least two scenarios in this case. Either you can press the power button and watch that your computer isn’t responding, or the fan will start spinning for a second and then go off again.
System Freeze:
The freezing system can be quite disturbing, and in most cases, its occurrence means that the CPU has failed or is already dead. You can freeze the system freeze in a few states, including during bootup, when the computer is idle or under heavy use.
Blue Screen of Death:
The Blue Screen of Death or the BSOD is a system error that can be commonly found in a Windows operating system. While it can happen due to the failure of the OS, it can also mean that your CPU is dying.
The BSOD means that your screen will turn blue while showing an error message about why your system can’t operate anymore.
Beeping:
If you know about the morse codes used in the early days, then it will be easier for you to understand that your motherboard is capable of using short and long beeping to let you know a message.
Each series shown on the screen indicates one particular problem in the system hardware. So, if your monitor starts showing codes and beeping, it’s best if you check in the motherboard’s instructions manual for what the code means.
However, not all motherboards are capable of showing codes like that. A speaker might help you in this case to hear the beeps.
Fans Running at Full Power:
If your computer is not booting and you notice that the CPU fans are running at full power, your CPU may be dead. In order to determine if this is the case, first try to start your computer in safe mode. If safe mode fails, then your CPU may be dead.
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How to Tell If CPU is dead
While you can pretty much guess that from all the signs your device has been showing, there are a few things you can do as troubleshooting. If your CPU is fine, these steps are most likely to save the problem.
If not, then you can be 100% sure that the processor is dead and get a new one to keep your computer operating.
Checking for any Errors or Damage:
The first way of knowing if your CPU is really dead is by looking for any kind of error. There are a few steps to do that. For instance:
• Shut down your computer and then turn it on again. Check for any kind of beeps or error messages on the screen.
• You can either ask the computer manufacturer for service o search on the internet for what the beep sound may mean.
• Then, try to solve the problem with the recommended troubleshooting steps.
• If the problem isn’t solved yet, unplug the power cord for computers or remove the battery for laptops.
• After that, get rid of the access panel. Make sure to unscrew it properly before pulling it out.
• Take the heatsink off from the processor’s top and reseat it. Then, take out the processor from the motherboard.
• Check it all the cables are connected securely, and other important wires are attached properly. Reseat the memory.
• Lastly, replace the heatsink and processor with power back on the computer.
• If the problem isn’t solved yet, go to the next section.
Test the Processor on Another PC:
Sometimes when you think that your CPU is disturbing, the problem can be mainly in your motherboard rather than the processor.
To be sure about that, you need to test your processor on another computer just to be sure. This is one of the easiest methods to know about the condition of your CPU.
The steps to do that are mentioned below:
- Disconnect both computers from the power supply.
- Make sure to remove the processor as well as the heatsink from both of the computers.
- Reattach the heatsink and processor to the test computer and reconnect the power supply. Make sure that both computers are compatible with the same kind of processor.
- Then, turn on the computer and see what happens.
If the BIOS fails to boot or you get the same beeping sound as before, you can be sure that your CPU is most likely dead.
External Damage:
The easiest way to tell if the CPU is dead is by looking for external damage to the machine. If the case looks cracked, warped, or scorched from the outside in, it’s likely that the CPU is fried and needs to be replaced. If you can’t find any external damage, but the computer still seems slow or keeps crashing, it might be time to take it to a professional for diagnosis.
Why Your CPU Might Die
There can be a lot of things responsible for your CPU’s death. For instance:
Time & Usage:
The older your computer is, the less likely it is to have a strong enough processor to handle more intensive tasks. When a processor reaches its end of life, it may not be able to keep up with the demands of modern software and hardware configurations.
How often and how intensively you use your computer will affect its lifespan. If you’re using your computer for activities that don’t require a high level of CPU power (like browsing the internet or checking email), it may last longer. But if you’re using your computer for more intense tasks (like editing videos or playing games), your CPU will wear down faster.
Overheat:
When you are using your computer for heavy tasks or have to use it for a long time, it’s really crucial to keep the CPU at a low temperature for better performance. Getting overheated is one of the most common reasons your CPU can die by getting damaged.
Though most processors nowadays are designed to work at higher temperatures, longtime use can cause serious internal damage to it and, therefore, lead to its untimely failure.
High CPU temperatures are most likely the result of cheap heatsinks or poor ventilation systems.
Overclocking:
Overclocking the CPU can increase the core speed by forcing the machine to work more than its usual stock speed designed by the manufacturers. While this has a lot of benefits, it can cause damage to the chips too.
Since the overclocking requires additional voltage applied to the processor, the overvoltage can be responsible for your CPU’s short lifespan.
Electrical Power Surge:
An electrical power surge can be seriously harmful to your CPU as well as other important components. It can be responsible for the whole system’s damage, and the current can even spike at high rates going beyond your CPU and PSU’s protection functions.
Generally, a lightning strike or a power outage can be the reason for an electrical power surge.
Unstable Voltage:
An unstable voltage is somewhat similar to an electrical power surge. While there can be several reasons behind it, in most cases, it’s a cheap and poor PSU responsible. These PSUs do more harm to your computer and the components than offer any protection.
Bad Motherboard:
You should know that the main work a motherboard does is to connect all of your components together for communication. Mainly, it controls all the voltage and current that goes through the components. So, a bad motherboard can easily cause the CPU to die.
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How to Prevent Your CPU From Dying
You know what they say, “Prevention is better than cure!” Rather than finding solutions after your CPU is dead, you should try to find ways of keeping it healthy! There are a few ways to do that:
Observe the CPU Heat Level:
We have already discussed how getting overheated can seriously damage your CPU’s lifespan. You can avoid this situation by observing the CPU temperatures carefully and giving it a rest whenever you think that it got too hot. You can also use an app to do that, and some of these are completely free to download.
Use a high-quality Heatsink:
Coolers or a heatsink might be the best idea when it comes to keeping your CPU calm and happy. You can find very fine quality heatsinks available at a rather affordable price in the market. In case you are not satisfied with these, customized water cooling kits are also a good idea.
Clean the Tower Regularly:
The fan being stuck with dust and debris is quite common to most PC users. No matter how excellently you wipe out the place, dirt will always find its way back into the place. So, to keep your CPU working efficiently, you need to clean the fans regularly.
Invest in Cases With Good Airflow
The best way to protect your CPU is by investing in cases with good airflow. Cases that don’t have good airflow can cause your CPU to overheat and eventually die. By installing a good air cooler or fan, you can keep your CPU running cool and healthy for years to come.
Invest in Power Strips
User power strips can be a great way to prevent your CPU from dying, as they will provide a surge protector for your computer. However, make sure that the power strip you choose has protection against over-voltage and over-current.
Cool Room Temperature
One of the biggest factors that affect the lifespan of a CPU is its temperature. When your computer’s processor gets too hot, it can start to wear out. This can lead to errors in the operation or even premature failure of the chip.
Most computers come with a built-in fan that helps circulate air around the machine. If you find that your computer is getting too hot, you should consider making a room where your PC is cool.
FAQs
1. What temperatures will damage the CPU?
Extremely high or low temperatures can cause permanent damage to the CPU and should not be attempted without expert help. The following are some guidelines for safe CPU temperature:
- The ideal CPU temperature is between 35°C and 45°C.
- Temperatures below 25°C may cause system instability and damage the CPU.
- Temperatures above 60°C can permanently damage the CPU.
2. Can a dead CPU kill the motherboard?
CPUs are critical components of a motherboard, and if one dies, the motherboard can be damaged. In extreme cases, it’s possible for the dead CPU to cause the motherboard to fail completely. However, in most cases, a dead CPU will only cause minor problems with the system. If you’re experiencing any problems with your computer that seem related to the CPU, it’s best to take it into a tech support facility for further inspection.
3. Will cleaning my CPU make it last longer?
Cleaning your CPU will help to reduce the amount of heat and noise it produces. It will also help to increase its lifespan. However, cleaning your CPU alone won’t guarantee that it will last longer. Factors such as how often you use it and how dirty it is can also impact its lifespan.
4. How do I Revive a Dead CPU?
If your CPU is dead, there are a few things that you can do to try and revive it. First, you can try to turn it off and on again. If that doesn’t work, you can try to reset the computer by pressing the power button for 10 seconds, then turning it on. If that still doesn’t work, you might need to take the computer to a repair shop.
Conclusion
So, this is how to tell if the CPU is dead. Like most other things, your CPU and other computer components also need special care and regular maintenance to work efficiently.
In most cases, your CPU fails due to prolonged use and getting overheated over time. So, you need to make sure that your CPU is always at a proper temperature.
However, always try to prevent any kind of damage rather than looking for troubleshooting of the problem.
