Motherboards can fail due to static shock, power surges, overheating, parts failure, and mishandling. Discharging static electricity and using surge protectors can prevent damage. Overheating, dust, and dirt can also cause failure. Cheaper motherboards may have bad capacitors. Proper handling is important.
Computer motherboards often don’t malfunction under normal use, but when they do, it might be hard to figure out why. In part, this is because there is often no visible physical damage. Common reasons for a fried motherboard can include static shock, power surges, excess heat, parts failure, or general mishandling. Many other more complicated technical problems can also be the cause of failure.
Static electricity is probably the most common reason a motherboard gets fried. When handling computer hardware, such as a motherboard, it is important for a person to discharge any static electricity that has built up in the body. This charge, if transferred to the motherboard, can short out its components, rendering it unusable. A person can discharge static electricity by touching a piece of metal before starting work on the computer. It’s also helpful to work on an anti-static mat or hard floor; using a computer with a carpet under it can build up static charge and is not recommended.
Power surges and damaged power supplies are also reasons for a fried motherboard. A power surge can occur during a thunderstorm, and a computer that is not connected to a surge protector can be damaged. A surge protector will help protect computer parts from shocks. Even if a motherboard is unharmed during a power surge, damaged power supplies can cause it to fail after a while. Power supplies that don’t output the recommended wattage can also cause problems with the motherboard.
Overheating, dust, and dirt are also common reasons for a motherboard to fail. If the card has been placed in a very small or poorly ventilated computer case, it can easily overheat. If the case has not been equipped with a properly functioning fan, there is no way to draw excess heat away from the parts. If the fan is clogged with dirt and is rarely cleaned, it cannot cool the system adequately. Dirt can also build up inside your computer case and cause problems, making regular cleaning very important.
Cheaper motherboards can have a tendency to fail more quickly than others, as bad capacitors can cause problems on poorly made ones. This type of damage may actually be visible, such as when capacitors leak or swell. Improper handling can also cause problems with the motherboard. The board contains many small and fragile parts and holding it the wrong way could bend or break those parts. A motherboard should always be carried and held by the edges to avoid contact with its components.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
