We do not have to wait for the extreme case of not being able to turn on our PC. Sometimes there are other signs that tell us that something is not working right. How to know if a power supply is damaged? Is it necessary to replace it with a new one? We will analyze everything in detail in this article.
Actually, a power supply may be faulty or damaged and still function relatively normally. Oddly enough, this is much worse than when it stops working altogether, as it can cause undetectable damage to other computer components. The situation is comparable to those diseases of the human organism that do not give signs and that, when they finally manifest themselves openly, it may already be too late.
We are not talking about just any piece. You have to remember that the power supply is the one that supplies power to all the components of our PC. Its state must always be perfect so that everything works and problems do not occur.
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We are going to review first of all the reasons that can give rise to this failure and what are the signs that warn us that there could be a problem with the power supply. Finally, we will address the appropriate solutions for each case.
Common Causes of Power Supply Deterioration
The power supply is a particularly sensitive element, quite prone to breakdowns. This is logical, if we think that the energy enters through it and is later distributed throughout the equipment. Although there are many and varied most common causes that cause the deterioration of the power supply and its malfunction are these:
Weather
Like any other component of our computers, the wear ends up shortening the life of the power supply. It all depends on how we use our equipment, the time factor and also the quality of the piece. Normally, the main manufacturers offer up to 10 years of guarantee. After that period, there is a good chance that it will start to fail.
Excess heat
Excessive temperatures are a great enemy of any electrical component, and power supplies are no exception. In this sense, it is essential that there be proper ventilation inside the box. For example: if the fan fails, in a very short time the accumulated heat will cause the fountain to stop working completely.
Voltage spikes and other electrical anomalies
A sudden increase in electrical voltage, even for a short duration, could seriously damage the power supply of our computer. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of failure. It is true that all of them usually have overvoltage protection systems, but sometimes they are insufficient. The same can happen to us in the case of electrical interference and other anomalies of this type.
Signs of power supply problems
How to know if a power supply is damaged? There are some unmistakable signs, telltale symptoms that something is not working as it should.
Excessive fan noise
It should not always be interpreted as a alarm signal. Sometimes the source fan just rubs against something or has excessive dust build up and then it starts to sound different. Nothing serious.
However, when the fan bearings are very worn they start to do noise and, what is worse, they do not fulfill their ventilation function correctly. As a result, the power supply becomes dangerously overheated. This noise is quite recognizable and gives us a clear clue to the problem. Fortunately, the solution is simple: replace the fan.
Blue screen
The dreaded Windows blue screen can occur for many reasons. One of them is the malfunction of the power supply. If it does not adequately supply power to all the components of the computer, errors of all kinds begin to be reported, some of which are critical.
Sudden shutdown of the computer
A pretty clear sign that the power supply is not working well. Our team shuts down or restarts on its own, without our having ordered it. Ruling out a processor failure, the most obvious reason for this is in the source, shown unable to maintain the continuous power necessary for the equipment to function normally. If this is due to a voltage surge, the power supply will most likely need to be replaced.
Burning smell
It is more than likely that when that unpleasant smell of burning plastic reaches us, it will already be too late. Most likely, all the previous signs have already been given before: fan noise, blue screens and sudden shutdowns of the computer.
The good part is that there is no room for doubt: the power supply has died. Sometimes we can even see how a wisp of smoke comes out of it. In any case, there is not much else to do, except replace it with a new one.
Tips to prolong the life of the power supply
Although nothing lasts forever, there are many things that can be done to try to prolong the life of a computer's power supply. It is worth paying a little attention to these two basic tips (you know: better safe than sorry), since they can save us a lot of trouble:
- Keep the fountain clean. Remove the accumulated dust on the box and on the fan using a small brush to reach the most inaccessible corners.
- Check your temperature. Prevent the sun from shining directly on the computer, make sure it is in a cool and ventilated room. Also remember to leave a space between the air outlet and the wall.
Finally, if you're already late and have no choice but to buy a new power supply, make sure it has the adequate power for your computer. Take a good look at the recommended power required by the CPU or graphics card.