Is the second RAM slot not working? If one RAM slot is not working on your Windows computer, you will not be able to use your computer effectively. If RAM stops working or does not work properly, you will experience several issues on your computer and a drop in system performance. In this article, we will see what you can do if one RAM slot is not working on your computer.
One RAM slot not working on Windows laptop
Use the following suggestions if one RAM slot is not working on your Windows computer.
- Check for physical damage
- Clean RAM and RAM slot
- Refer to your motherboard user manual
- Check your CPU pins and reseat the CPU
- Clear CMOS
- Update BIOS
- Hardware fault
Let’s see all these fixes in detail.
1] Check for physical damage
The first thing you should do is check for physical damage. If your RAM slot(s) is damaged, it will not work. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cord to prevent electric shock. Now, remove the RAM stick from the affected RAM slot and monitor it carefully for physical damage. If the RAM slot is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
2] Clean RAM and RAM slot
If dust accumulates inside the RAM slot, it will not work properly. We suggest you clean your RAM slot and RAM stick. Use a microfiber lint-free cloth to clean them.
3] Refer to your motherboard user manual
You should install RAM sticks in the correct order as per your motherboard specifications. If you install RAM sticks in an incorrect order, some of them may not work. Therefore, we suggest you refer to the user manual of your motherboard to know the correct order for RAM installation. To know which motherboard is installed on your computer, you can use the System Information app.
Open the System Information app, and select the System Summary from the left side. The BaseBoard Manufacturer name on the right side indicates your motherboard manufacturer.
4] Check your CPU pins and reseat the CPU
Damaged or bent CPU pins can also cause problems with RAM slots. If you have recently cleaned your computer, you might have made a mistake when reinstalling the CPU and damaged or bent CPU pins. Open your computer case and remove the CPU. Now, monitor the CPU pins carefully. If the pins are not damaged, reseating the CPU will fix this problem.
We also suggest you reinstall the CPU cooler. It might be that the cooler was fitted too tightly, causing this problem. Make sure that the cooler is not too tight while reinstalling it.
5] Clear CMOS
Clearing the CMOS will also reset the BIOS settings to the default. After turning your computer off and removing the power cord, open the case. Now, locate the CMOS battery, remove it, wait for a few minutes, and reinstall it. The CMOS battery is a small coin-shaped battery. After doing this, check if the problem persists.
6] Update BIOS
An outdated version of BIOS can also cause this type of problem. We suggest you check for the BIOS update and install the same (if available). You can download the latest version of BIOS from the official website of your computer manufacturer.
7] Hardware fault
If none of the solutions helped you, there might be a hardware fault. Contact a professional computer repair technician for further assistance.
How do you fix a broken RAM slot?
A broken RAM slot needs to be replaced. If there is physical damage to the RAM slot, you need to contact a professional computer repair technician to repair your computer. If the RAM slot is not damaged, another hardware component might be damaged due to which the RAM slot is affected.
Can RAM slots be repaired?
It depends on the type of damage to the RAM slot. If the RAM slot is physically damaged, the only way to fix this is to replace it with a new RAM slot. The problem might be with another hardware component on the motherboard. Therefore, it is better to contact a computer repair technician.
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