GPU Fans Spin but No Display: Is the Cable Connected to GPU?
A technician is upgrading a desktop computer with a new dedicated graphics card. After installation, the computer powers on, the GPU fans spin, but the monitor displays a 'No Signal' message. The monitor is known to be working, and the technician has confirmed the card is properly seated in the PCIe x16 slot and the PCIe power connectors are securely attached. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
Quick Answer
This is one of the most common and easy-to-overlook mistakes after installing a discrete graphics card, and the question is testing whether you know that installing a GPU does not automatically redirect an existing display cable. Motherboards with integrated graphics typically disable their own video output once they detect a discrete GPU installed in the primary PCIe slot, so if the monitor cable is still plugged into the motherboard's video port out of habit or oversight, the monitor will receive no signal at all, producing exactly the no-signal condition described, even though every other part of the installation, seating, power connectors, and the monitor itself, is confirmed correct. This is different from a power or seating problem, since the GPU's fans are spinning, indicating it is receiving power and the system is running, and the card is confirmed to be properly seated with power connected, which narrows the remaining possibilities down to where the cable is physically plugged in. Because this mistake is so common and so quick to check, it should be verified before moving on to more involved troubleshooting steps like BIOS settings or driver issues. Whenever a newly installed discrete GPU produces a black screen or no-signal message despite correct seating and power connections, the very next thing to verify is that the display cable is actually plugged into the new card and not the motherboard's video port.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume hardware failure or power issues first, overlooking the simple physical connection mistake of plugging the monitor into the motherboard instead of the GPU.
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 display cable is connected to the GPU and not the motherboard
The most common reason for a 'No Signal' message after installing a dedicated GPU is that the display cable is still connected to the motherboard's integrated graphics port instead of the new GPU's output ports. The motherboard's video outputs are typically disabled when a discrete GPU is detected, so the monitor receives no signal from that source. Since the GPU fans spin and power connections are secure, the next logical step is to verify the physical display connection.
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 in a different PCIe slot
Why it's wrong here
Swapping to a different PCIe slot would not resolve a 'No Signal' issue if the card is already seated in a primary x16 slot and powered, because the problem likely lies in the display output configuration or BIOS settings, not slot bandwidth. This option is tempting because a faulty or slower slot can cause instability or failure to initialise in other scenarios, such as when a secondary slot lacks proper lane allocation or the card requires a specific chipset-supported slot for PCIe generation compatibility.
- ✓
Verify the display cable is connected to the GPU and not the motherboard
Why this is correct
With the card seated and powered, a 'No Signal' display typically means the monitor cable remains plugged into the motherboard's integrated output, which the CPU disables or ignores once a discrete GPU is present. Moving the cable to the graphics card's ports restores output.
- ✗
Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update does not restore video output when the card is already seated and powered; the display cable is likely connected to the motherboard's integrated output rather than the new card. BIOS updates are tempting for compatibility issues, but they would not resolve a 'No Signal' caused by the wrong video port.
- ✗
Replace the power supply with a higher wattage unit
Why it's wrong here
The GPU fans spinning and PCIe power connectors being attached indicate the PSU supplies adequate power, so a higher-wattage unit would not restore video. Replacing the PSU is tempting when a card seems underpowered, but the symptom points to the monitor cable being plugged into the motherboard output.
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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 built a new desktop computer. When the power button is pressed, all fans spin and the case LEDs light up, but the monitor shows 'No Signal'. The technician has verified that the monitor works with another computer. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?
easy- A.Reseat the RAM modules
- ✓ B.Ensure the monitor cable is connected to the discrete GPU instead of the motherboard
- C.Replace the power supply with a higher wattage unit
- D.Reinstall the CPU and check for bent pins
Why B: The correct first step is to ensure the monitor cable is connected to the discrete GPU rather than the motherboard. Modern CPUs often lack integrated graphics, or the motherboard may disable the integrated graphics when a discrete GPU is installed. Connecting to the motherboard's video port would result in a 'No Signal' error because the system is outputting video through the discrete GPU.
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.