GPU Fans Spin No Display: Connect PCIe Power Cables from PSU
A technician is building a new gaming PC. After installing all components, the system powers on but there is no display output. The motherboard has no onboard video, and the dedicated GPU fans spin. The monitor is connected to the GPU and is known to work. What should the technician check FIRST?
Quick Answer
The correct first step is to verify the GPU power cables from the PSU are connected. Even though the GPU fans spin, that only proves the card is receiving minimal power through the PCIe slot, but without the dedicated 6- or 8-pin PCIe power cables, the GPU lacks the wattage needed to initialize the display output. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of power delivery to expansion cards—a common trap is assuming fan movement equals full functionality. Remember, the PCIe slot supplies only 75 watts, while modern GPUs require significantly more. A useful memory tip: “Fans spin, no display? Check the power cables—slot power is for show, cable power makes it go.”
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see the GPU fans spinning and assume the card is fully powered, overlooking the need for dedicated PCIe power cables, which is a classic CompTIA 220-1101 troubleshooting scenario.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Verify the GPU power cables are connected
The GPU fans spinning indicates the card is receiving power through the PCIe slot, but the dedicated 6- or 8-pin PCIe power cables from the PSU may be missing or loose. Without these supplementary cables, the GPU cannot deliver enough power to initialize the display output, even though the fans spin due to minimal power from the slot. This is the most common oversight when building a gaming PC, so verifying the GPU power cables is the logical first step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the GPU
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the GPU is premature; spinning fans show the card receives power, and the fault may lie in the PCIe slot, power cabling or seating. Replacement is justified only after reseating the card, verifying auxiliary power connectors and testing the slot with a known-good card.
When this WOULD be correct
If the GPU fans do not spin, the system has no display output, and all power cables are verified connected, then replacing the GPU would be the next step to test for a faulty card.
- ✓
Verify the GPU power cables are connected
Why this is correct
A GPU whose fans spin but produces no display often lacks supplementary PCIe power, since fans can run from slot power alone. Verifying the GPU power cables are seated satisfies the stem's no-output condition before reseating the card or testing the monitor.
- ✗
Reseat the CPU
Why it's wrong here
Reseating the CPU addresses bent pins or poor socket contact, which typically prevent any power-on or produce a boot loop, not a running system with spinning GPU fans. It would be correct after confirming power delivery and checking for CPU socket damage or POST failure codes.
When this WOULD be correct
If the system powers on but fails to POST, with no beeps or display, and the CPU fan does not spin or spins erratically, reseating the CPU would be a correct first step to check for improper installation or bent pins.
- ✗
Update the BIOS
Why it's wrong here
BIOS updates address compatibility or firmware faults after the system posts and is stable; here there is no display at all, so the firmware cannot be reached or flashed reliably. It would be the right step when a known-good build shows instability or unrecognised hardware after booting successfully.
When this WOULD be correct
A technician installs a new CPU that requires a BIOS update to be recognized. The system powers on but fails to POST, and the motherboard has a BIOS flashback feature. In this scenario, updating the BIOS would be the correct first step.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Verify the GPU power cables are connectedCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A GPU whose fans spin but produces no display often lacks supplementary PCIe power, since fans can run from slot power alone. Verifying the GPU power cables are seated satisfies the stem's no-output condition before reseating the card or testing the monitor.
✗Replace the GPUWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The GPU fans spin, indicating the GPU is receiving power and likely functional. Replacing the GPU is premature without first checking simpler power connections.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the GPU fans do not spin, the system has no display output, and all power cables are verified connected, then replacing the GPU would be the next step to test for a faulty card.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may jump to hardware failure as the cause of no display, especially when other components seem to work, overlooking basic power connection checks.
✗Reseat the CPUWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The CPU is already installed and the system powers on (fans spin), indicating the CPU is seated and receiving power. A reseat would not resolve a missing GPU power connection, which is the most likely cause of no display with a dedicated GPU.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the system powers on but fails to POST, with no beeps or display, and the CPU fan does not spin or spins erratically, reseating the CPU would be a correct first step to check for improper installation or bent pins.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a loose CPU can cause no display, and since the system powers on, they might suspect a partial connection issue, overlooking the more obvious GPU power requirement.
✗Update the BIOSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The system powers on and GPU fans spin, indicating the GPU is receiving power and the system is booting. BIOS updates are typically needed for CPU compatibility or bug fixes, not for no-display issues when the GPU is powered and the monitor is known working.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A technician installs a new CPU that requires a BIOS update to be recognized. The system powers on but fails to POST, and the motherboard has a BIOS flashback feature. In this scenario, updating the BIOS would be the correct first step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a BIOS update can resolve various boot issues, including display problems, without considering that the GPU is already powered and the monitor is functional, making a power connection issue more likely.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1101
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is building a new desktop computer for a graphic designer. After installing the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and a high-end discrete GPU, the system powers on (fans spin, LEDs light) but the monitor displays 'No Signal' when plugged into the GPU. The technician verifies the monitor works with another computer. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
medium- ✓ A.Verify that the PCIe power cables from the power supply are properly connected to the graphics card
- B.Reseat the graphics card in the PCIe slot
- C.Replace the HDMI or DisplayPort cable
- D.Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version
Why A: The most common cause of a 'No Signal' error when a discrete GPU is installed is that the PCIe power cables from the power supply are not connected or are insufficiently seated. High-end GPUs require dedicated 6-pin or 8-pin PCIe power connectors; without them, the card may power its fans and LEDs via the PCIe slot but cannot initialize the display output. Since the monitor works with another computer, the issue is isolated to the GPU's power delivery, making this the logical first check.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1101 exam.