What to Do If Your Component Is DOA

DOA stands for Dead on Arrival — a component that doesn’t work when first installed. It’s rare, but it does happen. Before concluding a component is faulty, work through this diagnostic checklist — the most common cause of “DOA” reports is actually a configuration or installation issue.

Step 1 — Don’t Panic. Diagnose First.

Most “DOA” situations turn out to be one of the following:

A cable not fully seated (especially the 8-pin CPU power connector)
RAM installed in the wrong slots
A BIOS that needs updating to support the new CPU
A monitor cable plugged into the motherboard instead of the GPU
A PSU switch left in the off position

General Diagnostic Checklist

✅ All power cables fully seated (24-pin ATX, 8-pin CPU, PCIe GPU power)
✅ RAM in correct dual-channel slots (check motherboard manual)
✅ Monitor cable plugged into GPU (not motherboard) if using a discrete GPU
✅ PSU power switch on (rear of PSU)
✅ Front panel power button header connected correctly
✅ No loose screws or metal debris causing a short inside the case
✅ CPU cooler mounted correctly and fan connected to CPU_FAN header

No POST / No Display

If the system powers on (fans spin) but there’s no display or BIOS screen:

Try reseating the RAM — one stick at a time in different slots
Clear CMOS to reset BIOS to defaults
Check if your motherboard has debug LEDs or a Q-Code display indicating which component is failing
If your CPU has integrated graphics, remove the GPU and connect the monitor directly to the motherboard to test
Check the manufacturer’s CPU support list — your board may need a BIOS update

GPU Not Detected

Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot — press firmly until the retention clip clicks
Ensure all PCIe power connectors are fully inserted
Try a different PCIe slot if available
Test the GPU in another system if possible

SSD Not Detected

Reseat the M.2 drive — ensure it’s fully inserted at 30° before pressing flat and securing the screw
Check BIOS — some M.2 slots need to be enabled in BIOS settings
Check if the M.2 slot shares lanes with a SATA port — some boards disable SATA ports when an M.2 is installed

RAM Not Detected or System Won’t Boot

Try one stick at a time in the primary slot (usually slot A2 or slot 2 — check manual)
Clear CMOS and try again
Check the motherboard’s QVL to confirm your RAM is supported

If You’ve Ruled Out User Error

If you’ve worked through the checklist and the component still doesn’t work, contact us within 30 days of delivery:

📧 Email: support@pcgear.uk
Include your order number, the specific component, and a description of what you’ve tried
We’ll issue an RMA and arrange a replacement or refund as quickly as possible

See our Returns & RMA Guide for full details on the returns process.