GPU Fan Not Spinning and No Display
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that will not boot. The CPU cooler fan spins, but the graphics card (GPU) fan is not spinning, and there is no display on the monitor. The power supply was tested in another system and works. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the graphics card is faulty or not receiving power. This is correct because the CPU cooler fan spinning confirms the motherboard and power supply unit are functional, yet the GPU fan not spinning and no display indicate the graphics card itself is failing to initialize. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate a no-display issue when other components show signs of life; a common trap is assuming the power supply is dead when it is actually the GPU’s auxiliary power connectors (6/8-pin PCIe cables) that are loose or missing. Remember that a spinning CPU fan rules out a dead PSU, so focus on the GPU’s seating and power connections. A handy memory tip: “If the CPU spins but the GPU is still, check the card’s power bill.”
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see the CPU fan spinning and assume the entire system has power, overlooking that the GPU has its own power delivery requirements and can fail independently even when the rest of the system appears operational.
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
✓
The graphics card is faulty or not receiving power
The CPU cooler fan spinning indicates the motherboard is receiving power and the PSU is functional, but the GPU fan not spinning and no display output point to the graphics card as the most likely culprit. The GPU may be faulty, improperly seated in its PCIe slot, or missing its required auxiliary power connectors (6/8-pin PCIe power cables), preventing it from initializing and producing a video signal.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The motherboard has a short circuit
Why it's wrong here
A motherboard short usually stops all power delivery, so the CPU cooler fan would not spin; here it does, indicating the board is functioning. Short circuits are suspected after inspecting standoffs and tracing when no component receives power at all.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question described a system that completely fails to power on (no fans, no lights) after a component installation, and a known-good power supply is ruled out, then a motherboard short circuit would be a likely cause.
- ✗
The RAM modules are not seated properly
Why it's wrong here
Improperly seated RAM typically produces repeated beep codes, boot loops or POST failure with fans running, but the GPU fan would still spin once powered. Orphaned display with a stationary GPU fan points to the card receiving no power, not to memory contact.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question described a system with no display, no beeps, and all fans spinning (including GPU fan), then improperly seated RAM would be a likely cause, as it can prevent POST without affecting fan operation.
- ✓
The graphics card is faulty or not receiving power
Why this is correct
A spinning CPU fan confirms the PSU delivers standby and main power, so the fault lies with the GPU. Its stationary fan plus absent display indicates the card is either defective or not receiving supplementary PCIe power, matching the stem's working-PSU constraint.
- ✗
The power button is stuck
Why it's wrong here
A stuck power button would prevent the system starting entirely, yet the CPU cooler fan is spinning, proving power is delivered and the board is running. It would be the suspect when the machine shows no signs of life at all, including no fan activity.
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.
✓The graphics card is faulty or not receiving powerCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A spinning CPU fan confirms the PSU delivers standby and main power, so the fault lies with the GPU. Its stationary fan plus absent display indicates the card is either defective or not receiving supplementary PCIe power, matching the stem's working-PSU constraint.
✗The motherboard has a short circuitWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A short circuit on the motherboard would typically prevent the CPU cooler fan from spinning or cause the system to not power on at all, but here the CPU fan spins, indicating the motherboard is receiving power and functioning to some degree.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question described a system that completely fails to power on (no fans, no lights) after a component installation, and a known-good power supply is ruled out, then a motherboard short circuit would be a likely cause.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may associate any boot failure with a motherboard short circuit because it's a common catch-all cause, but they overlook that the CPU fan spinning suggests partial motherboard functionality.
✗The RAM modules are not seated properlyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Improperly seated RAM typically causes a no-boot with beep codes or a black screen, but the CPU cooler fan spinning and GPU fan not spinning point to a GPU power issue, not RAM.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question described a system with no display, no beeps, and all fans spinning (including GPU fan), then improperly seated RAM would be a likely cause, as it can prevent POST without affecting fan operation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often associate 'no display' with RAM issues because RAM problems are a common cause of boot failures, and they may overlook the specific symptom of the GPU fan not spinning.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 896 original 220-1101 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 user reports that their desktop computer will not boot after a power surge. When the power button is pressed, the case power LED lights up, fans spin for about two seconds, and then everything stops. There are no beep codes and no display. The technician has tested the power supply with a multimeter and confirmed that all voltages are within specification. The motherboard shows no signs of physical damage or bulging capacitors. Which component should the technician test or replace NEXT?
medium- A.CPU
- B.RAM
- ✓ C.Motherboard
- D.Graphics card
Why C: Since the power supply voltages are confirmed good and the motherboard shows no visible damage, the next most likely culprit is the motherboard itself. The symptom of fans spinning briefly and then stopping without beep codes or display indicates a failure in the motherboard's power sequencing or POST logic, often due to a damaged voltage regulator module (VRM) or chipset from the power surge, even without visible bulging capacitors.
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.