Self-Troubleshooting Guide for PCIe Riser Cable Issues

If you encounter problems such as failure to power on, no display output, or system instability when using a PCIe riser cable with your graphics card, please follow this guide to determine if the issue is related to the cable.

Step 1: Basic Exclusion Test (Without the Riser Cable)

Install the graphics card directly into the motherboard's PCIe slot (bypassing the riser cable):

• 🟢 System boots normally: This indicates that core components like the graphics card, motherboard, and PSU are functioning correctly. The issue is likely related to the riser cable. Please proceed with the following steps.
• 🔴 Issue persists: It is recommended to focus on checking the graphics card, power supply unit, motherboard PCIe slot, or other hardware.

Step 2: Check Riser Cable Installation

• Ensure both ends of the riser cable (motherboard side and graphics card side) are fully inserted and securely seated, typically indicated by a click sound.
• Pay attention to the cable's bend radius. Avoid sharp bends, crushing, or twisting that could damage internal wires.
• Check for any metal objects (e.g., case frame, screws) contacting the connector pins, which could cause a short circuit.

Step 3: Verify Adequate Graphics Card Power

• Ensure all required external power connectors (e.g., 6-pin, 8-pin, or 12VHPWR) on the graphics card are properly connected and firmly plugged in.
• Insufficient power supply wattage is a common cause. Please verify that your PSU's rated power meets the peak power demands of your graphics card, especially high-end models.

Step 4: Test with a Different Motherboard PCIe Slot

If your motherboard has multiple PCIe x16 slots, try installing the riser cable (with the graphics card) into a different slot to rule out a fault in the original PCIe slot.

Step 5: Clean the Connection Interfaces

• Gently clean the gold fingers (contacts) of the graphics card with a clean eraser to remove oxidation or dirt.
• Inspect and ensure the riser cable connectors and the motherboard PCIe slot are clean, free from dust, and show no physical damage.

Step 6: BIOS Settings (Especially for PCIe Gen5 Environments)

If you are using a PCIe Gen5 graphics card and motherboard:

• Enter the motherboard BIOS/UEFI settings during boot. Locate the PCIe speed-related option (often named "PCIe x16 Link Speed") and manually set it to "Gen5" or "5.0" to avoid compatibility issues caused by automatic negotiation.
• Crucial: Confirm that the PCIe riser cable you are using explicitly supports the PCIe Gen5 standard. Using a Gen3 or Gen4 spec riser cable in a Gen5 environment is highly likely to cause detection failures or stability issues.

If the issue remains unresolved, please contact our technical support. We will assist you further in diagnosing and resolving the problem. Thank you for your support!