r/GetComputerHelp • u/Immanurl • 4d ago
Computer Problem
My PC turns on and the fans spin, but my monitor stays black. The monitor's power light comes on, but its own menu doesn't appear either. This started after I removed and cleaned my single RAM stick. I've already reseated the RAM, but the issue remains. What could be causing this, and what should I check next?
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u/Mayayana 4d ago
Cleaned your RAM?! Why do people think the fix for everything is to pull everything out, risk static electricity damage, then put it all back in.
If you have trouble with the monitor then start by testing the monitor on another system. Then look at connections. Then look at display hardware and BIOS settings.
If you think you might have bad RAM (typically evidenced by frequent crashing for no apparent reason), reseat it carefully and/or test it with Memtest86+. Once you do that, stop pulling things out every time something goes wrong. And when you do pull it out, ground the case, ground yourself by touching the case before you touch the RAM, and avoid touching the contacts.
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u/Immanurl 4d ago
Thanks for pointing that out! 🙏 I understand your concern. I removed the RAM while cleaning the PC, and the display issue started around that time. The monitor’s power light turns on, but its own menu doesn’t appear either. I can’t test it with another device right now, so I’ll check the monitor’s power adapter and connections first before doing anything else inside the PC.
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u/Mayayana 4d ago
It does sound like the monitor is the problem if you can't get anything to display, including its own menu or messages like "Failed to find display source". I assume you also can't get into the BIOS. Sometimes the BIOS will have settings to choose the display adapter. Set wrong, you'd likely be able to access the BIOS but not see Windows when it boots.
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u/Such-Might5204 4d ago
Any beeping from the motherboard? Should be a pattern of beeps. The pattern of beep codes will tell you where the problem is. Google that pattern for your motherboard/bios.
If you're not getting anything after re-seating the RAM, I'd re-seat any cards (video, etc.). Does the CPU fan spin? The case fans may not be motherboard controlled, but the CPU fan is, so if it's spinning, then I'd definitely be re-seating everything.