Question:

How to troubleshoot display port signal loss after applying new thermal paste to CPU and GPU?

I have recently replaced the old thermal paste on my CPU and GPU with arctic mx 6 paste, using the buttered toast method and a credit card. I made sure there was no spillage or damage to the components. However, when I reassembled the PC and turned it on, the monitor showed no signal from the display port. The PC also did not respond to the power button. I have tried the following steps to fix the issue, but none of them worked:

• Inspecting the CPU pins and the GPU slot for any bends or defects
• Reinstalling the CPU, CPU cooler, GPU and RAM modules
• Reconnecting the motherboard, CPU and GPU power cables
• Switching to an HDMI cable instead of a display port cable
• Resetting the BIOS by removing the CMOS battery and performing a static discharge
• Cleaning the dust from the PC case with a hair dryer
• Loosening the screws of the CPU cooler
• Booting the PC without the CPU cooler

What

could be the cause of this problem and how can I solve it? Any suggestions are welcome.

Answer:

Thermal paste is a substance that helps transfer heat from the CPU and GPU to the cooler, preventing overheating and improving performance. However, applying too much or too little thermal paste, or using an improper method, could lead to various problems, such as display port signal loss, PC not booting, or PC shutting down unexpectedly.

In this article, we will discuss some possible causes and solutions for display port signal loss after applying new thermal paste to CPU and GPU. We will assume that you have already tried the following steps, as suggested by the questioner, but none of them worked:

• Inspecting the CPU pins and the GPU slot for any bends or defects
• Reinstalling the CPU, CPU cooler, GPU and RAM modules
• Reconnecting the motherboard, CPU and GPU power cables
• Switching to an HDMI cable instead of a display port cable
• Resetting the BIOS by removing the CMOS battery and performing a static discharge
• Cleaning the dust from the PC case with a hair dryer
• Loosening the screws of the CPU cooler
• Booting the PC without the CPU cooler

If none of these steps solved the issue, here are some other possible causes and solutions to try:

Cause 1: Damaged or loose display port cable

One of the simplest and most common causes of display port signal loss is a damaged or loose display port cable. The cable could have been bent, twisted, or cut during the process of applying new thermal paste, or it could have been disconnected from the monitor or the GPU. A damaged or loose cable could prevent the signal from reaching the monitor, resulting in a blank screen or a “no signal” message.

Solution: Check the display port cable for any signs of damage, such as cuts, kinks, or frays. If the cable is damaged, replace it with a new one. Make sure the cable is securely connected to both the monitor and the GPU, and that there are no loose or bent pins. Try using a different display port on the monitor or the GPU, if available, to see if the signal is restored.

Cause 2: Incorrect display settings or drivers

Another possible cause of display port signal loss is incorrect display settings or drivers. The display settings or drivers could have been changed or corrupted during the process of applying new thermal paste, or by a software update or a malware infection. Incorrect display settings or drivers could prevent the monitor from detecting the correct resolution, refresh rate, or color depth, resulting in a blank screen or a “no signal” message.

Solution: Check the display settings and drivers on your PC, and make sure they are compatible with your monitor and GPU. You can access the display settings by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Display settings” or “Screen resolution”. You can access the display drivers by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Device Manager” or “Manage devices”. Look for any errors or warnings, and update or reinstall the drivers if needed. You can also try using a different display mode, such as safe mode or low-resolution mode, to see if the signal is restored.

Cause 3: Faulty or incompatible GPU

A third possible cause of display port signal loss is a faulty or incompatible GPU. The GPU could have been damaged or dislodged during the process of applying new thermal paste, or it could have been overheated or short-circuited by the thermal paste. A faulty or incompatible GPU could prevent the signal from being transmitted to the monitor, resulting in a blank screen or a “no signal” message.

Solution: Check the GPU for any signs of damage, such as burns, cracks, or loose components. If the GPU is damaged, replace it with a new one. Make sure the GPU is compatible with your motherboard, CPU, and power supply, and that it has enough power and cooling. You can also try using a different GPU, if available, to see if the signal is restored.

Cause 4: Faulty or incompatible CPU or motherboard

A fourth possible cause of display port signal loss is a faulty or incompatible CPU or motherboard. The CPU or motherboard could have been damaged or dislodged during the process of applying new thermal paste, or they could have been overheated or short-circuited by the thermal paste. A faulty or incompatible CPU or motherboard could prevent the PC from booting properly, resulting in a blank screen or a “no signal” message.

Solution: Check the CPU and motherboard for any signs of damage, such as burns, cracks, or loose components. If the CPU or motherboard is damaged, replace it with a new one. Make sure the CPU and motherboard are compatible with each other, and with the GPU, RAM, and power supply. You can also try using a different CPU or motherboard, if available, to see if the signal is restored.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed some possible causes and solutions for display port signal loss after applying new thermal paste to CPU and GPU. We have assumed that you have already tried the basic troubleshooting steps, such as inspecting the components, reinstalling the hardware, reconnecting the cables, resetting the BIOS, cleaning the dust, loosening the screws, and booting without the cooler. If none of these steps worked, we have suggested some other possible causes and solutions, such as checking the display port cable, the display settings and drivers, the GPU, and the CPU and motherboard. We hope this article has helped you solve your problem, or at least given you some ideas on what to try next. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!