You may encounter an issue after upgrading the memory stick – Windows 11/10 PC won’t boot with new RAM. Why does it happen? How to solve the annoying boot issue? Take it easy and some possible reasons & solutions are introduced here by MiniTool.
Installed New RAM but Computer Won’t Boot
RAM, short for random-access memory, is used to store data that the computer processor needs to run applications and open files. The more RAM your PC has, the faster the machine runs. Thus, to get a good performance, some of you choose to replace the old RAM with a new RAM stick for an upgrade or add a second one. Besides, you also need to replace the RAM when it gets damaged.
Unfortunately, a serious issue happens and you say: I put new RAM in computer won’t start. To be specific, the system shows no display and you can see nothing on the screen. This is not a common situation but some things could trigger the issue of PC not booting after adding RAM in Windows 11/10, including:
- Compatibility issues with the motherboard
- Installation of a bad RAM stick
- The RAM stick is not seated correctly in the right position
- A faulty CMOS battery
So, what if your PC won’t boot with new RAM? Continue reading to find some effective fixes.
Fix 1: Make Sure RAM Is Compatible with Motherboard
One of the most important factors of suffering from computer not booting after installing new RAM is the compatibility issue with the motherboard.
Related post: Does RAM Matter and How to Check RAM Compatibility
For instance, if your motherboard only supports 4GB of RAM but you install an 8GB of RAM, it cannot read this memory stick, causing a blank screen.
So, you should remove the new RAM, boot the PC with the old RAM, go over your system requirements, and select a RAM stick with a lower capacity. You can open Command Prompt and execute the command – wmic memphysical get maxcapacity to know the maximum RAM capacity noted in kilobytes.
Besides, you should know if you are using the correct RAM type. Simply speaking, if your PC only supports DDR3 but you use DDR4 RAM, the PC won’t boot with new RAM. Here this related post can help you – How Do I Know What DDR My RAM Is? Follow the Guide Now.
Anyhow, make sure the RAM is compatible with your PC motherboard and you can go to the official website of the manufacturer to get all the RAM specs compatible with your motherboard.
If you use a compatible memory stick but your PC doesn’t boot, find other solutions in the parts below.
Fix 2: Install RAM Correctly
If your computer has multiple RAM slots, make sure you install the RAM stick to the correct position. Or else, you will encounter this situation – upgraded RAM computer won’t boot.
For a PC with four slots, you should insert the RAM sticks to let them be configured in pairs – slots 1 and 3 for the first channel and slots 2 and 4 for the second channel. Sometimes manufacturers color-code or number the slots.
When installing the RAM, remember to remove the power source. Besides, don’t touch the gold connections and carefully put them into the slots. Then, you can hear a clicking sound.
Fix 3: Use a High-Quality RAM Stick
Although you install a new RAM module, it may stop working since it may be bad, particularly if you didn’t buy it from a reputable brand. Make sure the stick is genuine and comes from the recommended brand.
Fix 4: Clear CMOS Battery
If your PC won’t boot with new RAM after trying these fixes above, you can try to reset the CMOS battery:
Step 1: Disconnect all the external devices and unplug the power source.
Step 2: Remove the computer case, find the coin-shaped round battery in your PC, and take it out.
Step 3: Wait for at least 5 minutes, reconnect the battery, put back the case, and boot the system.
Final Words
These are primary fixes you can try when running into the issue of Windows 10/11PC not booting after adding RAM/installing new RAM. Take action! Hope you can easily get rid of the trouble.