One of the most common issues for PC builders is the flashing orange light on the motherboard. It’s not exclusive for first timers, though. In some other cases, your PC could be working fine yesterday, but is refusing to boot today.
In both cases, you do the sensible thing to do, which is to have a quick look at the components to check for anything unusual. And there it is, the flashing orange light on the motherboard.
I know that you’re already annoyed with the issue, so let’s not waste more time with the introductions.
What Are the Causes of the Orange Light on the Motherboard?
Here are the most common causes for that annoying issue:
1. Power Supply Issues
Your PSU might not be delivering enough power to the motherboard. This happens when the power supply is failing, or when you’ve recently added new components that demand more power than your current PSU can handle.
2. RAM Problems
The orange light often points to memory issues. Maybe one of your RAM sticks isn’t properly seated, or worse, one of them might be damaged or incompatible with your setup.
3. CPU Not Seated Correctly
If you’ve just built your PC or replaced the CPU, it might not be sitting perfectly in its socket. The orange light is your motherboard’s way of saying, “Hey, check your processor!”
4. Overheating Components
Your computer might be running too hot. When critical components like the CPU or GPU reach dangerous temperatures, your motherboard hits the panic button with that orange light.
5. BIOS Update Gone Wrong
This one is exceptionally common. Sometimes, a failed BIOS update can trigger the orange light. This leaves your motherboard unable to sync up the processes needed to boot up the PC.
Image source: Google
6. Motherboard Damage
In the worst-case scenario, physical damage to the motherboard itself might be causing the orange light. This could be anything from bent pins to damaged circuits. If that’s the case, you’ll most likely see the damage yourself.
How to Fix the Motherboard Orange Light Issue?
Okay, we’ve had a run with what could be happening, so what can we do about it?
1. Check Your Manual First
Different motherboard manufacturers use different color codes. That orange light might mean something specific to your brand. Pull out your motherboard manual or look it up online to decode what that particular light pattern means.
2. Check for Physical Damage
Look closely at your motherboard for any signs of damage – burned spots, bulging capacitors, or bent pins in the CPU socket. If you find damage, you might need professional repair or replacement.
3. Reseat Everything
Power down completely, unplug from the wall, and press the power button to discharge any remaining power. Then remove and carefully reseat your RAM, graphics card, and any other components. If you’re lucky, that’s all it would take.
4. Try the Bare Minimum Setup
Remove everything except the essential components (CPU, one RAM stick, power supply). If the light goes away, start adding components one by one until you find the troublemaker.
5. Reset CMOS
Image source: Google
Locate the clear CMOS jumper on your motherboard or remove the small battery for about 5 minutes. This resets your BIOS to factory settings and might fix the issue if it’s configuration-related.
6. Try a Different Power Supply
If you have a spare PSU or can borrow one, swap it in to see if power delivery is the issue. Sometimes the orange light is simply telling you that your power supply isn’t up to the task.
7. Update Your BIOS (Carefully!)
If your PC still boots despite the light, consider updating your BIOS. Download the latest version from your motherboard manufacturer’s website and follow their instructions exactly. Make sure that the process isn’t interrupted for any reason; you might need a new OS if that happens.
Featured image source: Google