ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E not working: Mutiple Q-Codes, then 00 and red light w/BIOS 1802

[dfctr]

Hi all,

just to let you know about and issue showing Q-Code 00 and red led. 

This is not a new rig, it's been running fine since June '23.

My rig:

Motherboard - ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WiFi
CPU - Intel Corei7 13700K w/AIO
GPU - NVIDIA RTX 3080 FTW3 w/AIO
PSU - Seasonic 1000W
RAM - 4x16GB  G.Skill DDR5-6400
OS - Windows 11 (all updated)

On early February I updated BIOS to 1802 and Windows Updates. After a long session of CoD two days after, I shutdown the computer. The next morning, it wouldn't start up. It gave me lots of Q-Codes (settled on 77, then white LED). At last, it just gave me 00 with the CPU LED. After tinkering a bit, clearing the CMOS and what not, I managed to boot it, play CoD again and stress test all components. Everything was fine...until I shut it down. No more boot. 00 Q-Code and red light.

I took the unit to a friend of mine so he could do some maintenance to it in late February. That meant, he TOOK IT ALL APART AND RESEATED/REPASTED EVERYTHING. Sent me a pic, everything was fine and running at this shop. Tested every component with other hardware and everything was fine.

Got the computer home on 03/19 after my friend tested it thoroughly, and guess what...00 Q-Code again. Frustrated, I just went to sleep and left the computer on all night.

Next morning, computer booted up and immediately updated to BIOS 2102 which was released that very same day and applied Windows Updates again. It's now been running fine since then. I did a shutdown, remove power completely and it came back normal. So, I'm pretty sure that version 1802 botched something related to the processor or its detection and was fixed afterwards.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @dfctr 

Thank you for sharing your experience.
Although the motherboard model you provided in the title differs from the one listed, only the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI supports the Q-code feature.
So I assume you are using the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI board.
In the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI user manual's Q-Code table, Q-Code 77 is labeled as "PCH DXE Initialization (PCH module specific)," while a red Q-LED indicates abnormal CPU detection during boot-up.
For troubleshooting, you may refer to the following FAQs:
[Motherboard] Troubleshooting - No Power/No Boot/No Display
[Motherboard] ASUS motherboard troubleshooting via Q-LED indicators
Updating the BIOS and checking if there is a need for updating the chipset driver are also a common troubleshooting method.
We recommend you keep your system up to date by installing the latest BIOS to benefit from improved functionality and performance enhancements.

Thank you.

[Adan]

Hey! May you remember me, i also got the same problem, how did you solve it? 

[dfctr]

Hi Adan.

I managed to boot it up and update the BIOS to latest one.

I haven't had the issue again for a month for now.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @Adan 

As we've noticed similar discussions,  we recommend using this thread as the primary avenue for communication: ASUS Z790-E WIFI II
If you have any updates or discussions related to this matter, please update that thread to avoid confusion or information gaps.

Thank you.