PC power cycles infinitely every few seconds
System powers on, spins fans for 3 to 10 seconds, shuts down, and automatically turns back on in an endless loop before video output.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- Endless loop of turning on and off automatically
- No display or splash screen ever appears
- Motherboard debug LEDs cycle through CPU → DRAM then shut off
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 5 steps completedSafety isolation and power discharge
Shut down the PC, switch off the power supply rocker switch (O), and unplug the AC power cord from the wall. Press and hold the chassis power button for 5 seconds while unplugged to drain all residual capacitor energy before touching any internal hardware.
Clear CMOS and let memory train
Unplug power, remove battery for 5 minutes, reseat. On next boot, leave PC untouched for 3 minutes while memory retrains.
Reseat RAM and test individual sticks
A failed memory stick or corrupted XMP/EXPO timing profile is the most frequent cause of power cycling.
Check for shorted front-panel USB ports
Inspect front USB ports with a flashlight. Bent internal pins touching the metal port chassis trigger immediate 5V rail shutdown.
Test with an alternative power supply
A failing Power Good (PG) signal from the triggers the motherboard to issue a continuous hardware reset cycle.
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