Why Does my PC Turn ON and OFF after Installing RAM? (SOLVED)

Can RAM cause a PC to turn OFF?

Yes, RAM can cause a PC to turn OFF. This happens when a RAM stick is bad or has failed. If your computer experiences frequent crashes, rebooting or blank screens, then it indicates bad RAM. The only way to solve this issue is to replace a faulty RAM stick with a new one.

 

Why is my PC Turning ON and OFF after installing RAM?

Your PC may be turning ON and OFF after installing the RAM because the RAM sticks are not seated properly in the RAM slots.

• Improperly seated RAM
• Wrong RAM slots used
• RAM adapting to the working of the motherboard
• CMOS battery problem
• Bad RAM stick installed

 

RAM sticks that are installed in the wrong pair of slots, RAM is taking time to adapt itself to the working of the motherboard, the CMOS battery issues or a bad RAM stick can cause a PC to turn on and off.

 

Improperly seated RAM

When the installed RAM sticks are loose or they are not seated properly in the RAM slots, the PC is unable to detect them and the RAM sticks will not be able to work properly. This causes the PC to turn ON and OFF repeatedly. So you need to ensure that the RAM sticks are properly placed in the RAM slots.

 

Wrong RAM slots used

In a computer with four RAM slots, there are certain pairs of slots that work only in a specific combination. Any deviation from that combination leads to problems like the PC turning ON and OFF repeatedly.

For example, if you are using one RAM stick, you will need to install them in either slot number 1 or 2. If you install it in slot number 3 or 4, the computer will turn ON and OFF repeatedly.

 

RAM adapting to the working of the motherboard

Sometimes when you install new RAM sticks in your computer, the PC turns ON and OFF a few times as a part of the installation process. This allows the RAM sticks to adapt to the working of your computer’s motherboard.

 

CMOS battery problem

When the CMOS battery encounters an issue in the computer, the system starts turning ON and OFF on its own. These problems can be solved by resetting the CMOS battery using jumper pins.

 

Bad RAM sticks installed in the slots

If you have installed a bad RAM stick in your computer, it will turn ON and OFF repeatedly to fix the issue. You will need to find the bad RAM stick and replace it with a new one to prevent your PC from turning ON and OFF.

 

 

How to Fix a PC that turns on and off after installing RAM?

You can fix a PC that turns ON and OFF after installing RAM by resetting the CMOS battery, replacing the bad RAM sticks, checking the right pair of RAM slots, upgrading the RAM frequency or reseating the RAM.

• Resetting the CMOS battery
• Replacing bad RAM sticks
• Checking the right pair of slots
• Upgrading RAM frequency
• Reseating the RAM

 

Follow the steps given below to fix a PC that turns ON and OFF after installing RAM.

1. To reset the CMOS battery, disconnect all the peripheral devices attached to your computer and remove the AC power supply. Take out the battery from where it’s placed after removing the cover of your computer.
2. The battery can either be in a holder in a vertical position or connected to the onboard header through a wire. In case it’s placed in the vertical position, remove the battery and note down the “+” and “-” signs.
3. If it’s connected to the onboard holder, disconnect the wire and free the battery.
4. Wait for two to five minutes and reconnect the battery. This will reset the CMOS battery.
5. Put the computer cover back and connect all the devices and AC power supply to see if it works.

 

• To check the RAM sticks for faults, test them in different slots of your computer and other pairs of slots. You can also test the RAM sticks in a spare computer if you have one.

 

• If a computer has four RAM slots, the system works on a dual-channel principle. It means that the RAM sticks work only in a certain combination of slots or dual channels. For example, the RAM sticks when installed in slot numbers one and two forms one dual channel. So you need to find the right dual-channel in your RAM slots to install the RAM sticks.

 

• If you install more RAM than what is supported by your computer, you may need to upgrade the RAM frequency in your computer. To do this, restart your computer and enter the BIOS by pressing the keys mentioned in the owner’s manual of your computer.

 

• Locate the settings for RAM frequency, generally found in the “Advanced Chipset” section of the BIOS. Change the RAM frequency according to the amount of RAM installed in your computer. Click the “Save and Exit” button in the BIOS setup.

 

• Sometimes, the RAM sticks may not be properly seated inside the RAM slots. You will have to remove them and push them back in their slots while applying enough downward pressure to snap them in the slots. The pins on the sides of the RAM sticks and the slots must lock with each other.

 

Why won’t my computer boot after installing new RAM sticks?

Your computer may not boot after installing new RAM sticks because of incompatibility issues. RAM modules may not be seated correctly in the slots, or the amount of RAM installed is not supported by the motherboard.

• Incompatibility issues
• Improperly seated RAM modules
• Installed RAM not supported by the motherboard

 

Try the troubleshooting methods given below to solve the issue of your computer not booting after installing new RAM sticks.

1. Remove the pre-installed RAM from your computer and install only one RAM module in it. Make sure to properly seat the RAM in the slot so that the retaining clips hold it firmly in position.
2. If the PC still doesn’t boot, then it’s because your RAM is not compatible with the specifications of your computer.
3. Install another RAM module. If the PC boots up but is not able to recognize the additional RAM, then it is because your computer can only support one RAM stick.
4. In case the issues persist, you can run a system check or check the performance of your system by going to the “Task Manager” and checking the “Performance” option.

 

How to Fix a computer that won’t turn ON after installing RAM?

You can fix a computer that won’t turn ON after installing RAM by cleaning the memory slots, replacing the bad RAM sticks, replacing the motherboard in case of bad RAM slots, and enabling XMP from BIOS.

• Cleaning the memory slots
• Replacing bad RAM sticks
• Replacing the motherboard
• Enabling XMS from BIOS

 

To fix a computer that won’t turn ON after installing RAM, follow the steps given below.

1. Clean the memory slots by blowing compressed air in them. The dust clogs the slots, causing the computer to fail to recognize the RAM.
2. Check the RAM sticks by testing them in different slots and systems to find the faulty RAM sticks.
3. Check the slots one by one to find which slot is bad and causes RAM to be unidentified by the computer. In case of bad slots, replace the motherboard.
4. If you have installed more RAM than what is required, you may need to enable XMP from the BIOS setup of your computer.

 

Tips when installing new RAM

There are a few things to consider and some tips to follow while installing a new RAM like counting the number of RAM slots and finding the compatible RAM.

Also check the maximum RAM your operating system can support, the correct clock speed and considering the specifications of CPU and GPU.

1. Before installing new RAM, check the specifications of the RAM and match them with the specifications of your computer’s components like CPU and GPU.
2. Count the number of RAM slots in your computer and find the right dual channels to install the RAM. Installing the RAM in the wrong combinations of slots will lead to issues like computer booting without display or computer turning ON and OFF repeatedly.
3. It’s important to note the maximum amount of RAM supported by the operating system of your computer. Installing more RAM than what is supported can lead to computers not starting.
4. Check the clock speed of your RAM and set it to the right frequency.

 

What to do after installing new RAM?

After installing new RAM, you should connect all the cables, set the RAM frequency, ensure the firmness of connections and so on.

1. Put the main battery back into the computer. Connect the AC adapters and other cables as per the original connection.
2. Set the RAM frequency if you have installed more or less RAM than the required amount.
3. Give the RAM time to adapt to the working of your computer’s motherboard.
4. Check the computer to see if it boots or not. If it doesn’t, then try the troubleshooting methods like cleaning the slots to get rid of any dust.
5. Make sure the connections are firm and appropriate.

 

Conclusion

When you install new RAM in your computer’s motherboard, it’s important to consider some factors like the specifications of the CPU and GPU, the maximum level of supported RAM, XMP status of your computer, conditions of RAM slots and RAM sticks and so on.

Choosing the right dual channel is also important for the RAM sticks to be identified by the computer and also for the computer to boot up.

If your computer doesn’t boot up after installing new RAM, you need to check the RAM sticks to ensure they are seated properly, identify the faulty RAM sticks or RAM slots, upgrade the RAM frequency and/or enable XMP. Ensure that the RAM sticks are installed in the right slots.