Can Your Motherboard Cause BSoD?

The motherboard is a crucial component of any computer system, providing the necessary connections between various hardware components.

However, like any other hardware, a faulty motherboard can cause serious issues, including the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) error on Windows.

In this article, we will explore how a problematic motherboard can cause the BSoD error and what you can do to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

What is a Blue Screen of Death?

If your Windows system crashes and displays a blue screen before restarting, this is known as the blue screen of death.

Most occurrences of the BSoD will give an error message accompanied by a sad face symbol. The message reads: Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.

After a few minutes of gathering information, your PC will restart automatically. If the problem is serious, you may not be able to get back to the desktop. Instead, you’ll enter a restart loop or the recovery area.

A BSoD can be diagnosed further from the Stop Code at the bottom of the screen.

The majority of blue screen errors are either caused by hardware or a corrupted operating system.

How can motherboards cause a BSoD?

A motherboard can be a particularly troublesome component if it malfunctions. While all malfunctioning hardware can cause the BSoD, the motherboard is the central component that connects all other components.

Problems can include faulty memory modules, damaged capacitors, or defective input/output (I/O) controllers. In rare cases, incompatible BIOS firmware or firmware infected with malware can also cause a BSoD.

How do I troubleshoot my motherboard?

If you suspect that your motherboard is causing the BSoD error on your Windows computer, it is important to troubleshoot the issue and take appropriate measures to resolve the problem.

This can be difficult because there is no stop code that directly implicates the motherboard. Instead, it could be any hardware-related error message, such as memory.

Some common steps to take to troubleshoot a BSoD that may be caused by a faulty motherboard include:

• Checking your power supply – A faulty power supply can also cause BSoDs.
• Reseat your RAM – Sometimes, a loose or improperly seated RAM module can cause BSoD.
• Checking for physical damage: Inspect the motherboard for any signs, such as broken capacitors or burn marks, which may indicate a hardware problem.
• Try updating your BIOS: Sometimes, a BIOS update can fix BSoDs caused by compatibility issues.

How do I update the BIOS?

Here are the general steps to update your motherboard’s bios:

1. Identify your current BIOS version – Open the System Information utility on your computer to find out the current BIOS version. Note the manufacturer and model number of your motherboard.
2. Download the latest BIOS version – Go to the manufacturer’s website and find the support page for your motherboard. Download the latest BIOS version for your motherboard model and make sure it is compatible with your operating system.
3. Create a BIOS backup – Before updating the BIOS, create a backup of the current settings in case something goes wrong during the update process.
4. Prepare a bootable USB drive – Create a bootable USB drive with the latest BIOS update files using a dedicated software tool or the manufacturer’s provided utility.
5. Enter BIOS setup – Restart the computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the key indicated on the startup screen.
6. Flash the BIOS – From the BIOS setup, locate the option to flash the BIOS, which may be labeled as BIOS Update, Flash BIOS, or similar. Select the option to update the BIOS from the bootable USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
7. Verify the BIOS update – After the BIOS update is complete, verify that the new version has been installed correctly by checking the System Information utility or the BIOS setup.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when updating the BIOS, as a mistake during the update process can cause serious problems or even damage the motherboard.

Use a multimeter to troubleshoot the power supply

If you believe the motherboard is malfunctioning, you can also use a multimeter tool to identify issues with the power supply or voltage regulation. Follow these steps to test it safely:

1. Ensure the computer is turned off and unplugged from the power source.
2. Locate the 24-pin ATX power connector on the motherboard. This is usually located near the center of the board and provides power to the CPU and other components.
3. Set the multimeter to measure DC voltage and select a range that includes 12 volts.
4. Connect the black (negative) probe to any grounded metal surface on the motherboard, such as a mounting screw or chassis.
5. Connect the red (positive) probe to the pins on the 24-pin ATX power connector, starting with pin 11 (which should be labeled with a +12V symbol).
6. Record the voltage reading and repeat for the other pins that should be providing +12V power.
7. Compare the voltage readings to the expected values, which should be close to +12V. If any pins are significantly below or above the expected values, it may indicate a problem with the motherboard or power supply.

It is important to note that testing a motherboard with a multimeter requires some technical expertise and should only be attempted by those with experience in working with computer hardware.

How do I recover from a BSoD?

If your motherboard is malfunctioning, it may need to be replaced before you can recover from a BSoD. However, even after replacement, problems can continue due to corrupted Windows files. The best way to fully recover is to use a Windows repair tool like Fortect.

1. Download and Install Fortect on your computer.
2. Run the program and accept a system scan.
3. Browse each category or click Start Repair (after product activation) to perform a full system repair.

Fortect replaces any damaged or missing system files and shared DLLs and repairs the Windows Registry.

It will also give you a hardware summary, which will let you know if memory modules aren’t being recognized or your temperatures are running too high.

A faulty or malfunctioning motherboard can cause the blue screen of death. You can also get a BSoD if the bios is incompatible or damaged by malware. Updating the bios might fix the problem, but if it is physically damaged you must replace the component.

Once your hardware is working properly, using a tool like Fortect will ensure Windows is functioning at optimum performance.