QCODE (Q Code) 53 on ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

[mrbeaubo]

There have been a bunch of posts about this but no real answer and I'm almost 100% sure this is software related (BIOS) but ROG is just telling me to RMA the board, which I don't really want to do given all the other threads with the same issue.

PROBLEM: Typically during reboots after any kind of update (Video card, windows, whatever), my POST will hang with a Q CODE 53 and orange light. I have to do a hard power off and then restart to get it to POST again, which forces a BIOS visit where all settings are fine and then restarts normally from there. I have run two different memory modules with the same result. I am on the newest BIOS and controller. I have tried all XMP profiles as well as AUTO. I can't get ASUS/ROG to actually troubleshoot with me outside of just "RMA the board".

Has anyone had any luck fixing this? It works perfectly and runs smoothly except for this issue, so while a nuisance, it's not really enough for me to want to take apart my entire build to most likely get another motherboard that will do the same exact thing.

MOBO: ROG Maximus Z790 HERO (1202 BIOS with updated controller per instructions on BIOS update)

PROC: i9-13900K

MEMORY: Have tried both G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 6400 (PC5 51200) Desktop Memory Model F5-6400J3239G32GX2-TZ5RS as well as TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 Ram 32GB (2x16GB) 6400MHz PC5-51200 CL40 Desktop Memory Module Ram for 600 700 Series Chipset XMP 3.0 Ready White - FF4D532G6400HC40BDC01 (IT ERRORS ON BOTH MEMORY SETS)

Graphics: RTX 4080

[Painatas]

@Silent_Scone I got the error again. Didn't POST, had to go to BIOS, after getting to the BIOS I decided to look around to see if there's anything wrong.

And I found the below:

It's weird that is showing 16GB when its detecting 32GB  on the DRAM field.

Also the XMP voltage 1.40-0.40

Then I went into the Advanced features.

I didn't thank you yet, but I'm grateful for all the help that you've been giving me.

[Silent_Scone]

It’s posted in safe mode. DIMM mapping issues are often either due to an unstable OC or pin pad contact.

You need to test the modules individually in slot A2, and reseat the CPU as already suggested.

[Painatas]

Tried both modules in slot A2, it happens with both.

Will try to reseat the CPU.

By the way, I know there's a tool to screw the screws without applying too much force, but I can't recall the name...Do you know about it?

[Silent_Scone]

You're probably talking about a torque screw driver

[Painatas]

So, I guess that I've did the individual memory module test wrong...most likely I didn't swap the memory xD Need to clean my desk, to many things on it, cause this issues...

I think that is indeed one of the modules, as soon as I swap to it, error 53 comes on. Will just RMA the modules. I don't know how did it went bad though...most likely some energy spike, well I don't know...

@Silent_Scone thank you again for your help.

[AwenMilano]

this issue fix for me, already 2 weeks ram sync never stuck.

g.skill trident z5 user, how about u guys who use g.skill ram?

[JSheng]

I thought it was fixed last 2 weeks, but it happens once again yesterday, so you may try to observe for a longer time… By the way, I update everything I could after this issue happened, including BIOS, Armoury Craft, GPU, Windows 11, etc.

[Painatas]

Before the error started happening to you, did you update Intel ME? or It just randomly started happen?

[JSheng]

Hi Painatas,

I update everything I could, and it would happen randomly, but mostly happens while using for a long time, and evert time it happens, all my setting would be set to default, red light breathing after powering off and rainbow after booting.

[Painatas]

I do think that this is an Asus issue with their BIOS or ME. I'll wait for AC, BIOS and ME next update to see if it fixes this issue.

I've ran a bunch of RAM testing softwares, no errors...