Power Supply is the most critical component of our system, and if it cannot supply the required power to the other components, your system won’t turn on.
This article will give you all the information about bad PSUs.
So, Do Power Supplies Goes Bad?
Yes! Power Supplies can go bad due to aging, heavy overclocking, heating issues, Power Surging issues, soldering wave issues, and cracking PCBs.
There are other reasons, too, like dust which increases the heat inside the power supply and ultimately ends up with Power Supply damage.
I have explained the reasons below why Power Supplies go bad in depth. So, keep exploring with me to the end of this article.
Table of Contents
Why Do PSUs Goes Bad?
Various reasons can cause the Power Supply to go bad, and here are all the causes-
Old PSU
Power Supply is perhaps the most long-lasting component in our system, and a good brand’s Power Supply at least lasts for five years; even some Power supplies’ lifespan can go up to 8 -10 years.
But, over time, every component loses its efficacy, and a similar thing is also applicable to Power Supplies. If your PSU is more than five years old, then there is a high chance that it will not work as it did before.
That’s why many experts recommend replacing your system’s Power Supply every 4 to 5 years. Old PSUs can be used for several purposes- read this to know the uses of old Power Supplies.
Overclocking
Overclocking is the action of increasing the component’s clock rate by running at a higher speed than it was designed to run. Overclocking will indeed increase the performance, but at the same time, it takes lots of power from PSU.
Besides that, overclocking also generates a lot of heat inside the PC system. So, if you have an old & unbranded PSU, then your PSUs can go wrong due to the extra heat.
MLCC Components Broke
MLCCs (Multi-Layer- Ceramic- Capacitors) are widely used in Power Supply circuits, and the maximum number of Power Supplies fails due to the cracked MLCCs.
These MLCCs can often crack due to bad handling, PCB bending, careless soldering, or bent pins.
Cables Go Bad
Sometimes the problem doesn’t remain on your Power Supply; instead, the problem is on your PSU cables. Due to excessive heat, chemicals & overheating issues, PSU cables can be damaged.
If something like this happens with your PSU cables, your system’s components won’t get the power from the Power Supply.
Moreover, you can’t change the internal PSU cables like the ATX cable because every PSU has different cables based on voltage, models, and specifications.
So, if the cable is damaged, you need to replace the whole Power Supply. Read this to know the symptoms of a bad Power Supply cable.
Long PCB Screws
You might wonder how screws can damage any component, but yes screws can damage the Power Supply.
Sometimes using longer PSU screws can cause shorts to the PCB; ultimately, it can damage the overall Power Supply.
Power Surging Issues
Due to Power surging and high voltage, different PSU components can be damaged, including fuses, bridge rectifiers, diodes, and FETs.
These damages can be done even when your Power Supply has surge protections. To protect your Power Supply for longer periods, you have to check whether there is high voltage or current issues or not.
Other Reasons
Besides these reasons, some other reasons, such as damage to ICS, Cracking PCBs, and soldering wave issues, can also destroy your Power Supply.
These are all the probable reasons why Power Supplies go bad.
Good Vs. Bad PSU: Explained?
When we are talking about the Good vs. bad power supplies, it primarily indicates the condition of your PSUs.
If your Power Supply is sufficient enough to supply the required power to all your system’s components, and at the same time, if your PSU has enough watts left for installing more components in the future, then it will be considered a good Power Supply.
On the other hand, if your Power Supply has become too old and isn’t capable enough to supply the required power to the other components, or there is not much wattage left in PSU for future upgrades, then it will be considered an inadequate Power Supply.
If the computer is not starting correctly or you are getting BSOD or other screening issues, then there is a possibility that your Power Supply is may have some issues.
Various symptoms would tell you that your PSU is damaged; below, all those symptoms are explained.
Bad PSU Symptoms
Here we will talk about nine conditions that will tell you that your Power Supply is not in the correct condition. So, let’s explore this-
- Computers Turn on and then Immediately turn off.
- Screen Issues (Blue & Black Screen Issues).
- Display Issues
- Computer crashing issues
- Burning Smelling
- Computer Freezing Issues
- Too Much noise from Cabinet
- PSU fan is spinning, but no power to other devices.
- Overheating PSU
These are all some indications of a bad Power Supply; if you want to know more about these reasons, then you can read the Signs of Power Supply failure article.
How To Test A Bad PSU?
A bad power supply can cause PC problems, but these problems can also occur due to other components’ damage. So, it’s essential to test whether the PSU is causing the issues or if it is something else.
To test your Power Supply, you need a multimeter and a paperclip or wire to sort the PSU cable.
Watch this complete video here- To Test your Bad Power Supply.
Final Thoughts
At the end of this article, I want to summarize that PSUs can go bad due to overheating, overclocking, cracking PCBs, Soldering waves, and power or voltage surging issues. If you find any symptoms of a bad PSU, you should test it and replace it.
I hope this article is helpful for you and if you want to know more about Power Supplies, PC Parts, and other tech-related facts, keep following this blog regularly.
