How to tell if your CPU is failing or dead - 7 signs to look for (2024)

Last Updated on April 17, 2024

If you want to know how to tell if your CPU is failing or dead, then you’ve come to the right place.

When your CPU starts having problems, it can cause a lot of frustration. This is because CPU related issues can cause your system to freeze or even crash, and this can make you loose progress on an important task. Identifying issues early can help you save your system from getting permanently damaged, but how can you tell if your CPU is really failing or dying?

This is where we come in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tell if your processor is failing or dead so you can take action accordingly.

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Quick Answer

Automatic shutdowns, random freezes, getting stuck in a boot loop, displaying various error messages, or not turning on at all are strong signs that your CPU may be failing, or even already dead

Common signs of a failing or dead CPU

Here are some common symptoms of a failing or dying CPU.

PC automatically shuts down

A frequent sign of CPU failure is when your PC shuts down unexpectedly and repeatedly. Occasional shutdowns can occur for various reasons, but if your computer consistently powers off without warning, it could indicate a serious issue with the processor. To prevent permanent damage to your system, the CPU may shut down automatically. Unfortunately, these shutdowns can occur without any prior alerts, potentially leading to the loss of important data.

Random freezes

Another sign of potential CPU failure is when your system experiences random freezes. These freezes can occur immediately after logging in or after the system has been running for a few minutes. During this, the cursor may become unresponsive on the screen, and the keyboard may also stop functioning. The only solution is to restart the system. Unfortunately, you may lose any unsaved progress if you were in the middle of an important task when the system froze.

PC is stuck in a boot loop

If your processor is malfunctioning, your PC may fail to boot up properly or get stuck in a continuous reboot loop. Typically, what happens is that the system starts to boot, displays the loading screen, and then restarts unexpectedly. This cycle will go on until you either unplug the power cable or forcibly shut down the PC by holding down the power button.

Error codes or beeping

Sometimes, when trying to boot your system, you may encounter an error code displayed on the screen. To understand the issue, search this code online to find out if it’s related to your CPU. On top of that, some motherboards start beeping when there’s a problem with the processor. If you hear this beep, it’s advisable to turn off your PC immediately to prevent further damage.

Blue Screen of Death

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) can happen for many reasons, including a failing CPU. However, because the BSOD can result from various issues, it’s hard to confirm if the CPU is the direct cause just from this sign. However, if you also notice other problems we’ve discussed earlier, such as system freezes, constant rebooting, or error codes, then the CPU might indeed be causing the issue. Seeing multiple signs together makes it more likely that there’s a problem with the processor.

Visible damages

In some cases, your CPU may be damaged, and this can happen due to multiple reasons. Overheating is one of the most common causes of CPU damage, which usually occurs from inadequate airflow within the computer’s casing. So, inspect the CPU for any burnt marks or physical damages. If you notice something’s wrong, then it won’t be a wise idea to continue using the processor.

How to tell if your CPU is failing or dead - 7 signs to look for (1)

PC isn’t turning on

Now, there could be different reasons your PC isn’t turning on at all. To test if the CPU is the problem, you can try installing it in another PC. If the CPU works fine in the second PC, then the issue likely lies with a different component in your original system. However, if the second PC also fails to turn on, then it’s a strong indication that your CPU is dead. In this case, you will need to replace the CPU to get your PC running again.

What to do if your processor is dead?

If your processor is dead, it’s likely beyond repair. In such a case, you need to get a new CPU for your system. If you can’t find one on your own, here are some options that we think are worth getting. Also, we’d recommend checking out our top picks for the best airflow PC cases and the best AIO water coolers, as these can help keep the temperatures down and improve the lifespan of your CPU.

High-end Intel processor
Intel Core i7 14700K
Shop on Amazon
Mid-range processor
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- Cores: 6
- Threads : 12
- Boost speed : up to 4.6 GHz
- Base speed: 3.7 GHz
- L3 Cache: 32 MB
- TDP: 65W
Shop on Amazon

Conclusion

These were some signs your CPU is failing or dead. It is important to understand that as soon as you notice something wrong with your processor, you should take it to a repair shop quickly so experts can examine it. Leaving it as it is in your system can cause permanent damage, and your other components can be affected too.

How to tell if your CPU is failing or dead - 7 signs to look for (2024)

FAQs

How do you tell if a CPU is good or not? ›

Generally speaking, the higher the clock speed per core, the better. When choosing a new CPU, look for the highest clock speeds possible within your budget while also ensuring you have the cores/threads you need for your workloads.

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How do I know if my CPU is weak? ›

Symptoms. A computer with a bad CPU won't go through the usual "boot-up" process when you turn the power on. You may hear the fans and disk drive running, but the screen may remain completely blank. No amount of key pressing or mouse clicking will get a response from the PC.

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How do I tell if my CPU or motherboard is bad? ›

Visual hardware check

If you find any bulging or blown capacitors, that's very likely causing computer motherboard problems. For the CPU, a visual check requires you to remove the CPU from the computer. Once the CPU is removed, check for bent pins on the side that is inserted in the motherboard.

What happens if your CPU is failing? ›

System instability or failure: A damaged CPU can cause your computer to become unstable or even fail to boot. This may result in frequent crashes, random reboots, or the inability to start up your system. Performance degradation: A damaged CPU can lead to reduced performance.

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How do you test a dead CPU? ›

Symptoms of a Dead CPU: Look for no functionality, no POST, overworking fans, rapid shutdowns, screen freeze, and blue-death screen. Diagnosing a Dead CPU: Check for visible damage, listen for beep codes, and perform a partial process of elimination.

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How to tell if RAM is bad? ›

Some common signs include:

Frequent system crashes or blue screens.
Unexplained system slowdowns.
Applications crashing or freezing frequently.
Inability to boot your computer.
Distorted graphics and other visual anomalies.

How to tell if your CPU is bottlenecking? ›

You can tell you're encountering a CPU bottleneck when your GPU isn't fully utilized. (The utilization of the CPU is irrelevant.) If your processor's performance isn't sufficient to keep pace with your game, this can lead to a slowdown because the graphics card can't be fully unleashed. That's a CPU bottleneck.

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What can damage my CPU? ›

Letting Dirt, Dust, and Liquids Run Wild

All computers accumulate some dust over time, heating up the components and making those fans work harder. While cleaning it regularly can help, you also want to prevent stuff from getting into your computer in the first place.