Troubleshooting MSI EZ Debug LEDs [How To Fix Guide]

Just purchased a new motherboard”? Want to save hours troubleshooting in case something goes wrong”? The MSI’s debug LED might seem insignificant when buying a new motherboard, but it is imperative. The MSI EZ debug LEDs shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s pretty mind-boggling to build a new computer, but a few things are more mind-boggling than building a new computer, which is to see nothing happening on the screen in front of you.

It is then and there that the “not so significant” debug LED will help you locate your issue and fix it. It will get your new build up and running. This article will cover some of the most common problems you might face when building a new PC and how the “not so significant” EZ debug indicators are way more significant than we actually think. These debug indicators can help you find your issue and fix it. Happy scrolling!

Contents

What Are EZ DEBUG LEDs GOOD FOR?

Building a PC is quite a stressful task. So when you press the power-on button and turn your PC on for the first time, it is quite a stressful moment to behold. And as some of us might be familiar with, this action will do pretty much nothing. Ugh! I know, right!

You can carefully assemble all the components you want, but even then, as is human nature, so many mistakes can be made. Now imagine having nothing in your system to pinpoint that issue obstructing your system’s initiation. Quite frustrating, isn’t it! That is where the EZ debug LEDs come in handy! These LEDs light up like a Christmas tree and guide you towards the component running into an issue.

Imagine going through each component of your build to investigate what is causing an installation error. How frustrating and time-consuming! If you have the debug LEDs onboard, all you have to do is direct your attention towards the illuminated LED indicator.

If you want to ensure that your motherboard is equipped with EZ to debug LEDs, all you have to do is download that model’s manufacturer manual. If you don’t want to do that, you can also check the upper right-hand corner of your motherboard. Right next to the DIMM slots, you should be able to see it. Another way you can find out is by searching your motherboard’s page on MSI’s website. Using the top menu, find your way toward the ‘Specifications’ page and click ‘Detail.’ Use Ctrl+F to locate the term EZ.

HOW TO READ MSI DEBUG LEDs

If your PC fails to boot or it fails to POST, a red glaring light blinking will catch your attention. That is the indication that something is wrong. That is the first thing that will catch your attention.

Depending on your motherboard, the LEDs can be color-coded, or they might not be. At times, it may be red; it may be white. These lights remain solid till the issue is fixed. They might also blink during the booting process but pay ne heed. It’s normal. It only becomes an issue when the light becomes set on a particular LED.

It is okay to be worried because this light indicates many different issues, ranging from hardware problems to several other issues. Sometimes, they might require replacements as well. But, of course, we all hate the thought of replacement, so it is better to eliminate any external factors before starting the RMA process, and boy, is that time-consuming!

The LEDs appear in the following order on your motherboard:

CPU
DRAM
VGA
BOOT

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT AND FIX EZ DEBUG LEDs

Now that we have significant knowledge about the debug LEDs and are aware of their significance. Let us investigate how we can fix any error they indicate towards. Please follow the instructions that we are about to provide to troubleshoot:

Check whether your CPU is compatible or not

To see if your CPU is compatible with your motherboard, refer to the compatibility report on MSI.com. In the top right corner, you will see the search bar. Type in your model’s name and hit Enter. Then, select CPU to see all the compatible CPU models.

If your CPU is not present on the compatibility report, it means that the CPU has not passed MSI’s recommended requirements.

Check that your CPU power connector is in position

If you find out that your CPU is compatible, make sure that the power connector is well attached. This is the first thing that you want to check. You also want to check the pins and sockets for obstruction. If any such issue is present, clean it and reinstall your CPU.

If the CPU and sockets are all clean, the next thing you want to check for is broken or bent pins. Bent pins are very much fixable. All you have to do is use a razor blade or a needle to straighten it. If your pin is broken, your CPU might still work. That depends on which pin is the faulty one. Even if these broke off, your PC would still operate normally. The issue is with the pins being bent. It’s best to check beforehand and replace any before all the main process.

Perform a POST test

Remove all peripherals from your device. These include USB devices, flash drives, hard drives, etc. The only thing remaining should be the motherboard with the CPU, the CPU radiator fan, and single RAM memory.

Boot the computer. If your computer is typically powered on, the problem may be coming from other peripherals. Add the peripherals one at a time till you figure out which device is causing the issue. If you still face a problem, continue the troubleshooting process below.

Reset BIOS

The first thing you want to do is disconnect the main AC power. Then, either shut off the power button on the back or pull the power cable.

Clear all the BIOS data by moving JBAT1 from its original position, 1-2. You want to move this to 2-3.

Check the EZ Debug LED indicator.

The EZ debug LED located on the side of the 24pin ATX power connector. When an error occurs, the LED light stays lit. It’ll only be turned off when the problem is fixed.

CPU LED light on: Reinstall the CPU. Check for any bent pins or other abnormalities on your CPU and CPU socket.
DRAM LED light on: Your RAM or CPU is not detected. Either this, or it fails to be compatible with your motherboard.
VGA LED light on: Either the graphics card or CPU with integrated graphics fails or can’t be detected.
BOOT LED light on: This indicates that the booting device failed or can’t be detected.

WHAT ARE DEBUG NUMBERS CALLED “POST CODES”?

A lot of motherboard models include what the tech world calls POST codes. You can also buy this additionally and install it. It can be found in USB form.

It is a bit more complex than the troubleshooting steps we mentioned above. But these POST codes actually display numbers and characters that provide you a detail of issues that inhibit your startup process.

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT THROUGH POSTCODES

To access POST codes, you should have a properly functioning CPU, BIOS, and a PCle or USB slot. In addition, you want to remove any peripherals attached. These include USB devices, hard drives, etc.

If an error code is received, you can locate it in error messages and responses tables. If you interpret this code, it will lead you to the exact error preventing your PC from booting normally.

FAQs

What does it mean when EZ debug LED is on?

If the EZ debug LED on, it shows you a problem during the boot process. Usually, these lights are located on the side of the 24pin ATX power connector. They offer the status of some of the key components during the booting process, so if they remain lit, they are indicating an error.

How do I fix my computer with power up but no display MSI?

You want to ensure that your monitor is well attached to the power supply. Check to see that the power indicator is lit. Make sure that your display cable is connected correctly to the monitor as well as the graphics card.

Why is my DRAM LED red?

A red light indicates that your RAM module is not seated correctly. In simpler words, your RAM is not detected. Check tour RAM and ensure that your RAM is appropriately inserted in its slot to fix this issue.

Conclusion

After reading this entire article, you must now be familiar with what debug LEDs are and how important they are for us. In this article, we have tried our best to provide a simple guideline to help you fix issues associated with building a new PC. We wanted to keep it as simple as possible.

There are a variety of errors that might pop up, and these LEDs will help you diagnose any issue in an instant! We hope this article proves useful for you.