FlyingScot
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- Apr 30, 2024
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Recently, we have seen quite a few people having issues when trying to gain access to the MSI BIOS screens. Therefore, I thought it might be useful if I tried to consolidate our previous attempts at solutions into a basic troubleshooting guide. Perhaps we can collectively expand upon this guide as and when we discover new problems and solutions that are related to this topic.
PROBLEM STATEMENT #1: You just booted up your newly assembled PC for the first time and you are staring at a blank screen.
Troubleshooting Steps - keep following each step until your video problem is solved
Question #1a: Does your PC have no signs of life, i.e. no spinning fans or motherboard/component lights?
Next step: If so, your problem may be more serious than just a display-out issue. Check for illuminated EZ Debug LED lights or 2-digit POST Code errors.
Question #1b: Does your PC have signs of life, like spinning fans and motherboard/component lights?
Next step: If you see a green (can look yellow) EZ Debug LED that represents a Boot issue then skip to Question #2.
Next step: If you see a white EZ Debug LED that represents a Video issue then skip to Question #2.
Next step: If you see a red or yellow (can look orange) EZ Debug LED then your problem may be more serious than just a display-out issue.
Question #2a: Did you purchase an Intel "F" model (e.g. 12700F) and you don't have a graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, purchase a dedicated graphics card and connect your monitor/TV cable to that device's DisplayPort or HDMI Out. If you still have no picture, keep reading.
Next step: Optionally, trade the CPU for one with an iGPU.
Question #2b: Did you purchase an AMD AM4 non-"G" model (e.g. 5600X) or AMD AM5 "F" model (e.g. 8700F) and you don't have a graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, see next steps for #2a.
Question #3: Do you have a dedicated graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, then make sure you did not accidentally install the display cable in the motherboard video-out port. We all do it! It happens...
Next step: Double-check your graphics card is fully seated in the PCIe slot. Also, make sure that each power cable to the graphics card is pushed in all the way (at both ends) - see picture below as example of improperly seated power cables. Note: It is advisable to use a separate PCI-e cable between the power supply unit and the graphics card for each separate 6/8-pin PCI-e connector. Avoid using “pigtail“ connections, where one power supply cable goes to two graphics card connectors - unless you have a very old and/or very low power graphics card (i.e. spec’d at less than ~200 Watts). If you need a visual guide, refer to this post.
Question #4a: Are you trying to use an old Nvidia graphics card (e.g. GTX970, GTX1060, etc.)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC (not Windows 11) to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/
TIP: You can also read more about the role of the “Secure Boot” BIOS setting when it comes to blank BIOS screens with older graphics cards like the GTX970 (and even some fairly recent models) by going here: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...ng-an-older-graphics-card.376415/post-2131618
TIP: If you don’t have an older computer to accomplish the above firmware update, you could try moving the older graphics cards to a PCIe x16 slot that runs at a slower speed. This approach may help with motherboards like the AMD 600 and 800 series.
TIP: If you don’t have an older computer to accomplish the above firmware update, you can try using either the onboard iGPU or the HDMI output from the graphics card (if you need to access to the BIOS) or, if forced to use the DisplayPort, switch your monitor to DisplayPort 1.2 for maximum compatibility. Then build a bootable secondary drive with a basic Windows 10 installation to allow you to run the Nvidia Update Tool.
Question #4b: Are you trying to use an RTX3000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX3060)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5233/
Question #4c: Are you trying to use an RTX4000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX4060)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5411
Question #4d: Are you trying to use an RTX5000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX5080)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue.
Next step: Make sure the power cable to the graphics card is pushed in all the way (at both ends), especially if you are using the newer 12V-2×6 cable with an ATX3.1 Power Supply Unit (PSU). Note that if you have an ATX3.1 PSU and a Nvidia RTX5000 series (or some RTX4000 series) graphics card, your PSU and/or GPU may actually interrupt the power if the “sensing pins” do not make good contact on your 12V-2x6 cable. This situation can happen even after months of use, i.e. if the cable manages to back its way out of the connector - at either end of the cable.
Question #4e: Are you trying to use an old AMD graphics card?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. See forum member, citay, post (below this one) for more information.
Question #4f: Are you trying to use the motherboard‘s rear I/O HDMI port?
Next step: If so, check your HDMI cable is fully inserted. If your HDMI port is not properly aligned with the rear I/O shield then it’s possible that your HDMI cable is not fully seated when you push it into the motherboard port. Examine closely and then try to better align. Ditto when using the DisplayPort OUT.
Question #5: Are you using a modern PC monitor?
Next step: If so, check the monitor to see if you have a "Deep Sleep" function enabled for the port in use, either DisplayPort or HDMI. If enabled, temporarily disable the Deep Sleep function. Reboot your PC and see if the MSI Logo now appears.
Question #6: Are you using a modern PC monitor that supports both DisplayPort and HDMI?
Next step: If so, try disabling the video source auto-detection feature and instead manually assign the default video port to match your video cable.
Next step: If the above suggestion does not resolve your issue, try both video standards (i.e. HDMI-to-HDMI and DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort) with a suitable quality video cable.
Question #7: Are you trying to use the HDMI Video port with an old HDMI PC monitor (10+ year old) or HDMI TV ?
Next step: If so, purchase a quality DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter cable. Try both the DisplayPort on the motherboard rear I/O panel and on the dedicated graphics card (if installed). [This one worked for me in conjunction with a dedicated graphics card DP port and a very old monitor and TV!]
Question #8: Did none of the above suggestions fix your display issue?
Next step: If you still see a white EZ Debug LED that represents a Video issue (or you suspect the graphics card is not functioning) then try removing it (if you have a CPU with an iGPU) or try replacing it with another dedicated graphics card.
Next step: Some combinations of MSI motherboard and display units (especially older TVs and PC monitors or "no name/budget" brands) may not work together. Try a different TV or monitor.
Next step: As city suggests in the post below, sometimes a storage device like an SSD can conflict with your video device. Try removing all non-essential hardware to see if you can solve your display-out issue.
Next step: See all posts in this forum thread (and elsewhere on the forum pages) for possible additional solutions. I will endeavor to keep adding additional tips to this guide as they prove effective.
Good luck!
-----------------
PROBLEM STATEMENT #2: You can see the Windows OS just fine, but you cannot find a way to enter the MSI BIOS screen (no MSI Logo at POST time)...or after hitting the DEL key at POST you see a blank screen.
Troubleshooting Steps - keep following each step until your video problem is solved
Question #1: Are you running dual monitors?
Next step: If so, try just one monitor at a time to see if you can see the MSI BIOS Logo screen.
Question #2: Are you using a modern PC monitor?
Next step: If so, check the monitor to see if you have a "Deep Sleep" function enabled for the port in use, either DisplayPort or HDMI. If enabled, temporarily disable the Deep Sleep function. Reboot your PC and see if the MSI Logo now appears. [This one worked for me!]
Question #3: Do you have a CPU with an iGPU and a dedicated graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, then switch the video cable to the motherboard rear I/O panel Video Out port to see if you can now see the MSI Logo at POST time. If possible, try both the HDMI and DisplayPort.
Next step: If you can now enter the MSI BIOS then go to the "Integrated Graphics Configuration" screen and configure the video settings as shown below. Now try the Video Out ports on the dedicated graphics card to see if you can see both the MSI BIOS Logo and the Windows OS at boot time.
PROBLEM STATEMENT #3: You can see the Windows OS just fine, but the PC boots too quickly for the DEL key to allow access to the MSI BIOS.
If you cannot get access to BIOS due to the speed of the boot process and/or an unresponsive keyboard prior to Windows booting (check your “Fast Boot”, “MSI Fast Boot” BIOS settings) or perhaps due to a security BIOS setting, then see my attached guide on how to boot into the BIOS from the Windows Troubleshooting menu.
PROBLEM STATEMENT #1: You just booted up your newly assembled PC for the first time and you are staring at a blank screen.
Troubleshooting Steps - keep following each step until your video problem is solved
Question #1a: Does your PC have no signs of life, i.e. no spinning fans or motherboard/component lights?
Next step: If so, your problem may be more serious than just a display-out issue. Check for illuminated EZ Debug LED lights or 2-digit POST Code errors.
Question #1b: Does your PC have signs of life, like spinning fans and motherboard/component lights?
Next step: If you see a green (can look yellow) EZ Debug LED that represents a Boot issue then skip to Question #2.
Next step: If you see a white EZ Debug LED that represents a Video issue then skip to Question #2.
Next step: If you see a red or yellow (can look orange) EZ Debug LED then your problem may be more serious than just a display-out issue.
Question #2a: Did you purchase an Intel "F" model (e.g. 12700F) and you don't have a graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, purchase a dedicated graphics card and connect your monitor/TV cable to that device's DisplayPort or HDMI Out. If you still have no picture, keep reading.
Next step: Optionally, trade the CPU for one with an iGPU.
Question #2b: Did you purchase an AMD AM4 non-"G" model (e.g. 5600X) or AMD AM5 "F" model (e.g. 8700F) and you don't have a graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, see next steps for #2a.
Question #3: Do you have a dedicated graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, then make sure you did not accidentally install the display cable in the motherboard video-out port. We all do it! It happens...
Next step: Double-check your graphics card is fully seated in the PCIe slot. Also, make sure that each power cable to the graphics card is pushed in all the way (at both ends) - see picture below as example of improperly seated power cables. Note: It is advisable to use a separate PCI-e cable between the power supply unit and the graphics card for each separate 6/8-pin PCI-e connector. Avoid using “pigtail“ connections, where one power supply cable goes to two graphics card connectors - unless you have a very old and/or very low power graphics card (i.e. spec’d at less than ~200 Watts). If you need a visual guide, refer to this post.
Question #4a: Are you trying to use an old Nvidia graphics card (e.g. GTX970, GTX1060, etc.)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC (not Windows 11) to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/
TIP: You can also read more about the role of the “Secure Boot” BIOS setting when it comes to blank BIOS screens with older graphics cards like the GTX970 (and even some fairly recent models) by going here: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...ng-an-older-graphics-card.376415/post-2131618
TIP: If you don’t have an older computer to accomplish the above firmware update, you could try moving the older graphics cards to a PCIe x16 slot that runs at a slower speed. This approach may help with motherboards like the AMD 600 and 800 series.
TIP: If you don’t have an older computer to accomplish the above firmware update, you can try using either the onboard iGPU or the HDMI output from the graphics card (if you need to access to the BIOS) or, if forced to use the DisplayPort, switch your monitor to DisplayPort 1.2 for maximum compatibility. Then build a bootable secondary drive with a basic Windows 10 installation to allow you to run the Nvidia Update Tool.
Question #4b: Are you trying to use an RTX3000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX3060)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5233/
Question #4c: Are you trying to use an RTX4000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX4060)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. You will need another working PC to move the graphics card to in order to perform the update. Go to https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5411
Question #4d: Are you trying to use an RTX5000 series Nvidia graphics card (e.g. RTX5080)?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue.
Next step: Make sure the power cable to the graphics card is pushed in all the way (at both ends), especially if you are using the newer 12V-2×6 cable with an ATX3.1 Power Supply Unit (PSU). Note that if you have an ATX3.1 PSU and a Nvidia RTX5000 series (or some RTX4000 series) graphics card, your PSU and/or GPU may actually interrupt the power if the “sensing pins” do not make good contact on your 12V-2x6 cable. This situation can happen even after months of use, i.e. if the cable manages to back its way out of the connector - at either end of the cable.
Question #4e: Are you trying to use an old AMD graphics card?
Next step: If so, check for firmware updates that might fix your issue. See forum member, citay, post (below this one) for more information.
Question #4f: Are you trying to use the motherboard‘s rear I/O HDMI port?
Next step: If so, check your HDMI cable is fully inserted. If your HDMI port is not properly aligned with the rear I/O shield then it’s possible that your HDMI cable is not fully seated when you push it into the motherboard port. Examine closely and then try to better align. Ditto when using the DisplayPort OUT.
Question #5: Are you using a modern PC monitor?
Next step: If so, check the monitor to see if you have a "Deep Sleep" function enabled for the port in use, either DisplayPort or HDMI. If enabled, temporarily disable the Deep Sleep function. Reboot your PC and see if the MSI Logo now appears.
Question #6: Are you using a modern PC monitor that supports both DisplayPort and HDMI?
Next step: If so, try disabling the video source auto-detection feature and instead manually assign the default video port to match your video cable.
Next step: If the above suggestion does not resolve your issue, try both video standards (i.e. HDMI-to-HDMI and DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort) with a suitable quality video cable.
Question #7: Are you trying to use the HDMI Video port with an old HDMI PC monitor (10+ year old) or HDMI TV ?
Next step: If so, purchase a quality DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter cable. Try both the DisplayPort on the motherboard rear I/O panel and on the dedicated graphics card (if installed). [This one worked for me in conjunction with a dedicated graphics card DP port and a very old monitor and TV!]
Question #8: Did none of the above suggestions fix your display issue?
Next step: If you still see a white EZ Debug LED that represents a Video issue (or you suspect the graphics card is not functioning) then try removing it (if you have a CPU with an iGPU) or try replacing it with another dedicated graphics card.
Next step: Some combinations of MSI motherboard and display units (especially older TVs and PC monitors or "no name/budget" brands) may not work together. Try a different TV or monitor.
Next step: As city suggests in the post below, sometimes a storage device like an SSD can conflict with your video device. Try removing all non-essential hardware to see if you can solve your display-out issue.
Next step: See all posts in this forum thread (and elsewhere on the forum pages) for possible additional solutions. I will endeavor to keep adding additional tips to this guide as they prove effective.
Good luck!
-----------------
PROBLEM STATEMENT #2: You can see the Windows OS just fine, but you cannot find a way to enter the MSI BIOS screen (no MSI Logo at POST time)...or after hitting the DEL key at POST you see a blank screen.
Troubleshooting Steps - keep following each step until your video problem is solved
Question #1: Are you running dual monitors?
Next step: If so, try just one monitor at a time to see if you can see the MSI BIOS Logo screen.
Question #2: Are you using a modern PC monitor?
Next step: If so, check the monitor to see if you have a "Deep Sleep" function enabled for the port in use, either DisplayPort or HDMI. If enabled, temporarily disable the Deep Sleep function. Reboot your PC and see if the MSI Logo now appears. [This one worked for me!]
Question #3: Do you have a CPU with an iGPU and a dedicated graphics card installed?
Next step: If so, then switch the video cable to the motherboard rear I/O panel Video Out port to see if you can now see the MSI Logo at POST time. If possible, try both the HDMI and DisplayPort.
Next step: If you can now enter the MSI BIOS then go to the "Integrated Graphics Configuration" screen and configure the video settings as shown below. Now try the Video Out ports on the dedicated graphics card to see if you can see both the MSI BIOS Logo and the Windows OS at boot time.
PROBLEM STATEMENT #3: You can see the Windows OS just fine, but the PC boots too quickly for the DEL key to allow access to the MSI BIOS.
If you cannot get access to BIOS due to the speed of the boot process and/or an unresponsive keyboard prior to Windows booting (check your “Fast Boot”, “MSI Fast Boot” BIOS settings) or perhaps due to a security BIOS setting, then see my attached guide on how to boot into the BIOS from the Windows Troubleshooting menu.
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