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Testing your power supply (PSU paperclip test)

Anthony
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How to test your power supply with the paperclip test

 

 

Standalone PSU paperclip test

The following technique will show you how to power on your PSU without a motherboard so that you can determine if your PSU is not powering on or if it's caused by either the motherboard or power switch.

  1. Power off your computer PSU by flipping the power switch so that the "O" is in the down position and unplug the main power cord from the wall outlet and the PSU. Figure 1.
    PSU_Test_01.jpg
    Figure 1

    Warning: Do not attempt to do any of the following until you are absolutely certain there is no power to the computer and PSU.
  2. Open the side panel of your computer case to gain access to the internal components.
  3. Unplug the PSU power cord from the motherboard. This is typically located on the right side of the motherboard (on standard orientations). see Figure 2 for details.
    PSU_Test_02.jpg
    Figure 2

  4. Prepare a paper clip by bending it into a "U" shape to be used as a jumper. Figure 3.
    Note: You must use a bare wire paper clip and not a plastic coated paper clip.

    PSU_Test_03.jpg
    Figure 3

  5. Hold the PSU motherboard cable in front of you so that the locking tab is facing you. Then identify the 4th and 5th pin slots. Figure 4.
    PSU_Test_04.jpg
    Figure 4

  6. Insert the paper clip into the 4th and 5th pin slots to create a connection between these two. Figure 5.
    Note: Pin slots have two different shapes and that the 4th and 5th pin slots should both be DOME shaped and NOT SQUARE shaped.

    PSU_Test_05.jpg
    Figure 5

  7. Place the cable with the paperclip jumper in it, safely to the side and ensure that the paper clip is not touching anything.
  8. Plug the power cable from the wall outlet back into the computer PSU and then turn on the PSU by flipping on the power switch so that the "I" is in the down position. Figure 6.
    PSU_Test_06.jpg
    Figure 6

  9. If you CAN hear or see the fans spinning, then your PSU IS functioning properly.
  10. If you CANNOT hear or see the fans spinning, then your PSU is NOT functioning properly.
  11. Contact a technical support agent to report the issue.

Tech Tips Video: How to Remove a PSU

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  • John R Shelton

    When they say "This will test the power supply"
    You think they mean PSU (Power Supply Unit)
    No they mean is there any power coming from the socket on the wall.
    Which can be easily checked by plunging a lamp, or any other device in.
    When I used the paper clip in pins 4 and 5 and turned on the fans worked
    Which according to them meant that the PSU was functioning properly.

    With the paper clip in it works.

    Take it out it stops working.

    The computer doesn't work, but the fan works fine.
    So I send the whole computer back to Cyberpower UK

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