If the orange light on the motherboard is blinking, it means there is a problem with the PSU, but if the light is solid, there are many possible explanations. It could be a sign of bad RAM, lousy HDD, bad CPU, or bad motherboard.
Most modern motherboards have some LED lights on them that indicate different things. An orange light could mean anything from an error to the board being in standby mode. I know that seeing a light on your motherboard can be confusing and scary, but don’t worry! In this article, I’ll explain what an orange light on the motherboard means and what you can do about it.
What do lights on the motherboard mean?
Before I talk about the orange light, it’s essential to understand why motherboards have lights on them in the first place. The lights are there to indicate the status of different parts of the board or system. For example, a green light might mean the power is on, while a red light might indicate an error.
In most cases, the lights are just there for information purposes and don’t require any action from the user. However, in some cases, the lights can be used to troubleshoot problems with the system.
Now that you know what the lights on the motherboard mean, let’s talk about what an orange light could mean.
What does a motherboard orange light mean?
You might see an orange light on your motherboard for a few reasons, so don’t panic! It might be nothing at all, or it could signify a serious problem.
The first thing to do when you see an orange light on your motherboard is to check if something is not working as it should. For example, if your computer won’t turn on, there’s a good chance the orange light tells you that something is wrong.
If everything seems to be working fine, the orange light might just signify that your motherboard is working.
So if you get the orange light, don’t freak out! Just open the motherboard manual and check what the specific light means.
You should pay attention to whether the orange light is blinking or solid, which I will discuss next.
Related Article: What Does The Red Light On Motherboard Mean & How To Fix It
What Does It Mean If The Orange Light On Motherboard Is Blinking?
If the orange light on your motherboard is blinking, it usually means a problem with the power supply. The power supply provides power to all the different parts of the system, so if it’s not working correctly, it can cause all sorts of problems.
1. Low Power Supply
A flashing orange light usually indicates that the power supply is not providing enough power to the system. This can be caused by various things, such as a faulty power supply, but the most common is that your power supply unit is not providing enough power.
If you have recently added a power-hungry GPU or another component, it’s possible that your power supply can’t provide enough power to the system, which is why the orange light is flashing.
2. Faulty PSU
If you haven’t changed your hardware recently and started having problems, your PSU is likely faulty. Power supplies can fail for various reasons, so it’s hard to say why yours might have failed.
3. Loose Power Cable Connections
Another possibility is that the power cables are not connected correctly or are loose. This can cause many problems, including an orange light on the motherboard.
Related Article: How To Connect Power Supply To Motherboard In Easy Steps
What Does It Mean If The Orange Light On Motherboard Is Stable?
While a blinking orange light usually indicates a problem with the PSU, a static orange light can mean many different things. In this section, I will list all the possible causes for a solid orange light, and later, I will talk about what you can do to fix it.
1. Damaged RAM
Ram problems are one of the most common causes of a solid orange light on the motherboard. If your RAM is not working correctly, it can definitely cause an orange light.
Various things can cause RAM problems, including physical damage, bad connection, or incompatible RAM.
2. Incompatible RAM
If you have recently upgraded your RAM, it’s possible that it’s not compatible with your motherboard. This is not very common, but it can happen. You can check this article to see what RAM is compatible with your motherboard.
3. Damaged RAM Slots
Another possibility is that the RAM slots on your motherboard are damaged. This is not very common either, but if you have recently added or removed a RAM stick, you might have damaged the slots.
4. Bad RAM Connection
If your RAM is not connected correctly to the motherboard, it can cause problems. Make sure that the RAM is firmly inserted into the slot.
5. CPU Issue
Another possibility is that there is a problem with the CPU. CPUs are the heart of the system, so if they have a problem, they can definitely cause an orange light.
Related Article: What CPU Is Compatible With My Motherboard?
6. GPU Issue
Finally, another possibility is that there is a problem with the GPU. GPUs are one of the most power-hungry components, so if there is a problem, it can cause an orange light.
How to fix Orange Light on the motherboard?
Now that you know the possible causes of the orange light on the motherboard, it’s time to talk about how to fix it.
1. Find The Source Of The Problem
The first and most crucial step is finding the problem’s source. If you can’t find the source of the problem, you won’t be able to fix it.
Software Solutions
While these are not the most common solutions, they are worth a try because they are easy to do and don’t require hardware changes.
1. Update BIOS/UEFI
One possibility is that there is a problem with the BIOS/UEFI. If you have not updated your BIOS/UEFI in a while, there may be an issue.
2. Clear CMOS
Another possibility is that there is a problem with the CMOS. The CMOS is a small chip on the motherboard that stores your system’s settings.
The best way to clear the CMOS is to remove the battery and wait for a few minutes. This will reset the CMOS and might fix the problem. If you want to know more about resetting the CMOS, you can read this article.
Hardware Solutions
If you have tried all the software solutions and haven’t worked, it’s time to open up your system and check the hardware.
1. Unplug All The Components
The first thing you should do is to unplug all the components from the motherboard except for the CPU and RAM. Once you have done that, try to turn on the system and see if the orange light is still there.
If the orange light is gone, it means that one of the components you removed was causing the problem.
If the orange light is still there, it means that the problem is that the motherboard is bad.
If the orange light is on but blinking, it means that the problem is with the PSU. To be 100% sure, you should try a different PSU.
2. Troubleshooting the RAM
The next thing you should do is check the RAM. First, you remove all RAM sticks and test each RAM stick one by one into different slots.
To do that, remove all RAM sticks, clean them with rubbing alcohol, clean the RAM slots with a can of compressed air, and insert the RAM sticks one by one in different slots when dry.
If the system POSTs, one of the RAM sticks could be causing the problem.
If the system still doesn’t POST, then the problem is with the RAM.
3. Troubleshooting The CPU
If you have tried the RAM and it’s working fine, it is time to check the CPU.
To do that, you should remove the CPU cooler and check if there is any thermal paste left on the CPU. If there is, you should clean it off with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Visually inspect the CPU for any signs of damage. If you see any bent pins, then there is a problem with the CPU.
If the CPU is damaged, you will need to replace it.
If the CPU is not damaged, you should clean the contacts with a can of compressed air, reapply the thermal paste, and install the CPU cooler to see if the problem persists.
4. Troubleshooting The GPU
Troubleshooting the GPU is pretty easy, especially if you have an iGPU.
To troubleshoot the GPU, you should remove the graphics card and use the iGPU.
If you stop seeing the orange light with the iGPU, it means there is a problem with the graphics card.
If you don’t have an iGPU, try plugging your GPU into a different slot to see if the orange light persists.
If it does, then you should ask a friend to borrow their GPU.
If the orange light is still there, then the problem is with your PCIe slot.
Related Article: “What Is The VGA Light On Motherboard And How To Fix It“
ORANGE LIGHT On Motherboard FAQ
What Does Solid Orange Light On Asus Motherboard Mean?
As I told you, sometimes the orange light doesn’t indicate a problem, which is the case with ASUS motherboards. A solid orange light on ASUS motherboards means the board is getting power.
What Does The Light On A Motherboard Mean?
A solid orange light on a motherboard means a problem with the board or one of the components. If the light is blinking, it means a problem with the PSU.
How Do I Fix An Orange Light On My Motherboard?
The best way to fix an orange light on your motherboard is to unplug all the components from the board and then troubleshoot them one by one.
Conclusion
Seeing an orange light on your motherboard can be pretty intimidating, especially if you don’t know what it means. Now you have a pretty good idea of what the orange light on your motherboard means and how to fix it.
You just need to be patient and methodical in your troubleshooting, and you will be able to fix the problem.
Of course, if you don’t feel confident enough to troubleshoot the problem, you can always take it to a computer repair shop.
I hope this article has helped you and that you will be able to fix the problem with your motherboard.
If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments section below, and I will be more than happy to help you.
Nick Ryley is a computer architect and the owner of The Pc Geekz.
His love for playing games got him interested in computers in the first place. He wanted to be able to build a gaming PC that could run all the latest games at max settings, and this has him pursuing a major in computer architecture!
He started this blog to help people out and answer some of the most common questions about computer building
