ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WiFi won't boot up

[Yapper1]

Hello everyone! I have a problem with my PC, more precisely the Motherboard.

The problem is when I shut down the PC. It won't power up at all from the power button or reset or anything, unless I reset the CMOS from the button at the back. Then I get into the BIOS, everything looks OK and if I change anything and try to save the settings, the PC shuts down to reset and cannot be powered up by the power button or anything else. The cycle repeats if I reset the CMOS. The only way to get  the PC to start normally into Windows is to not change anything in the BIOS so it only restarts(not shut down) and then it loads normally. I've updated the BIOS to 1501. I was on 1402 before, tried with 1303 as well, still the same. Tried the flashback from USB, tried the flashback from the BIOS: all results are the same. The moment the PC needs to shutdown(even when updating the BIOS itself) it doesn't boot up. I have to reset the CMOS. What I notice is that the flashback LED keeps blinking even when I don't have a USB inserted in the flashback port or haven't pressed the flashback button after rebooting the PC.

I swapped the PSU - it wasn't it. I did a test on the RAM - it was fine, 0 errors. The Q-LED shows everything is fine when the PC boots up. I ran the tests without the GPU so it isn't that. I tried a minimum configuration with nothing external connected: only CPU, RAM, PSU and Motherboard - all the same. I also swapped the CMOS battery - no change.

My configuration:
Motherboard - ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WiFi
CPU - Intel Corei7 13700K
GPU - NVIDIA RTX 4090
PSU - ROG-THOR-1000P2-GAMING 1000W
RAM - Kingston Fury Renegade 6400 DDR5 32GB
OS - Windows 11 (all updated)

Thank you in advance!

[WisKomp]

Hi, I have the latest BIOS version, I also changed it backwards - it didn't help.

After removing the board, it behaves the same, changing the power supply also did not help.

It's definitely not a hardware problem, I unplugged virtually every possible component.

I am sending a link showing the problem.

Today I discovered that if I cut off the power for a few hours, the problem disappears for a while. The motherboard will turn on 2-3 times maximum and then the flashing LED returns.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhCMoGY2dlWeg5EDrdQ2d4TtyxsFlA?e=1t1bbz 

[bwandowando]

---

@WisKomp wrote:

Hi, I have the latest BIOS version, I also changed it backwards - it didn't help.

After removing the board, it behaves the same, changing the power supply also did not help.

It's definitely not a hardware problem, I unplugged virtually every possible component.

I am sending a link showing the problem.

Today I discovered that if I cut off the power for a few hours, the problem disappears for a while. The motherboard will turn on 2-3 times maximum and then the flashing LED returns.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhCMoGY2dlWeg5EDrdQ2d4TtyxsFlA?e=1t1bbz 

---

I have the same exact problem, i created a thread here https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/left-pc-for-2-weeks-for-vacation-now-it-wont-turn-...

I went to vacation and left my PC for 2 weeks then when I got back , it wont turn on. The FLASHBACK LED also blinks, I read the manual that it should be pressed for 3 seconds for it to blink, so what I am doing to turn on my PC is I remove its cable for a few mins, then when I plug it, I press power button before the 3 seconds is up.

I tried (almost) everything minus doing a full disassemble

• reseated ram
• reseated cables
• cleaned PC
• adjusted my 4090's stand
• then I eventually flashed my bios to the latest version
• I got a pair of pliers and pulled the button as it may be pressing it

all of these, and the issue still persists.

I haven't done any hardware updates for a  year, and software wise, I'm just applying patches for my UBUNTU and WINDOWS OSs, but the issue happens before boot so it's not really a factor.

[WisKomp]

Exactly, the operating system does not matter, the problem appears even after entering the BIOS and turning off the computer. After turning it off, the LED starts blinking and we are unable to do anything. I also didn't do any modernization. The problem appeared by itself after about a year.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @WisKomp 

If you select "Restart" directly under the system, does the same issue occur?
Since we have tested the same models without encountering the described problem, we need to verify your shutdown steps, the situation after shutting down, and the details when the system fails to boot.
Therefore, a complete video confirmation would be helpful.
Thank you.

[WisKomp]

The "restart" option works fine, the computer restarts every time. The problem only occurs when the computer is turned off, then the LED on the back starts blinking. I am sending a link to a video that shows the problem.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhCMoGY2dlWeg5EDrdQ2d4TtyxsFlA?e=1t1bbz 

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @bwandowando 

Could you please provide the current motherboard model, BIOS version, and the relevant information I previously requested?
Additionally, kindly share a video that fully documents the issue and your current troubleshooting methods. This will help us better understand the situation and verify the problem.

May I ask if you have confirmed the BIOS version or tried updating to the latest BIOS to see if the issue can be resolved?
If you perform a bare-board test in an insulated environment, does the same boot failure occur?
Have you conducted cross-testing of any hardware components, such as the PSU or cables, to attempt to diagnose hardware issues?
Could you please provide the following information to help us better understand your situation?
- the current BIOS version and the images of manually adjusting items in BIOS, or whether it is the default
- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM (part number and installed slots as well), SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed
- are there any extensions or adapters used to connect any devices, such as GPU or SSD?
- the OS version and OS build
- the circumstances and frequency of the problem
- provide a comprehensive video recording of the problem, capture the state of the system during the black screen occurrence

Thank you.

[bwandowando]

@Jiaszzz_ROG 

Please see my answers below in colored font

May I ask if you have confirmed the BIOS version or tried updating to the latest BIOS to see if the issue can be resolved?
- yes, I updated to the latest BIOS of Asus Z790-F which is VERSION 2202 and it still persists. Though, it started to happen with my initial bios VERSION 0703

If you perform a bare-board test in an insulated environment, does the same boot failure occur?
- not barebones, but I removed all minus RAM, CPU, and GPU and it still happens

Have you conducted cross-testing of any hardware components, such as the PSU or cables, to attempt to diagnose hardware issues?
- unfortunately, I don't have a spare PSU and set of cables

Could you please provide the following information to help us better understand your situation?
the current BIOS version and the images of manually adjusting items in BIOS, or whether it is the default
- happened to 0703 and 2202
- I'm using defaults and I don't do overclocking. Im using Intel XMP profile. Everything else is auto/ default.

- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM (part number and installed slots as well), SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed

* cpu LGA 1700 INTEL CORE i7-13700K
* ram GSKILL 2x32GB DDR6400 F5-6400J3239G32GX2-TZ5RK
* psu CORSAIR HX1000i 1000W 80+PLATINUM 
* ssd.m2 WESTERN DIGITAL M.2 BLACK 1TB SN850X  (BOOT DRIVE)
* ssd.m2 Samsung 980 pro 2TB
* ssd.m2 Samsung 990 pro 2TB
* mb Asus Z790-F Gaming Wifi
* gpu GIGABYTE RTX 4090 WINDFORCE 24GB GDDR6X GV-N4090WF3-24GD
* My PC is connected in such a way wall outlet -> 1500W ServoAVR -> 1500W UPS -> PC

- are there any extensions or adapters used to connect any devices, such as GPU or SSD?
- yes, they are listed above

- the OS version and OS build
- IMHO it  doesn't matter, as it can't even boot in the first place. Also, I haven't made any major hardware updates for a year, and I've only made incremental patches. But if you believe it will help then 
** Windows 11 Pro 10.0.22631 N/A Build 22631
** Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS

- the circumstances and frequency of the problem
- every time you shut down, YOU CANT BOOT IT UP AS THE FLASHBACK LED WILL BLINK. The only way to circumvent this is, to unplug the power cable or turn of the PSU, wait for a few minutes, then upon turning it on, before the 3-second FLASHBACK PRESS rule happens, you have to push the power button.

- provide a comprehensive video recording of the problem, capture the state of the system during the black screen occurrence

- sure, here you go. It is in google drive,  you will see my machine with the blinking LED
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1miRCnedkRsabinaVEBmXRDQjI_DXNJK1/view?usp=sharing

- LONGER AND NEWER VIDEO SHOWING THE WHOLE ISSUE HAPPENING
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mxlj8PU3Kp08FM5ARANRmJ5XS3NKhxLF/view?usp=sharing


CONTEXT
- I went to a vacation last May 02, and left my PC in a perfectly good state. I've shut it down, put on dust covers, but I didn't remove it from the UPS. When I went back 2 days ago, I noticed that I can't turn it on, and it had that weird FLASHBACK LED blinking. I haven't installed any new software and hardware before I left, and I was using the old firmware 0703. I was able to make it boot but reseating the RAM, CABLES, and cleaning the PC. But apparently, it was actually me disconnecting the PC and turning it on immediately that made it work.

Ive now updated the BIOS to latest 2202, I also pulled the FLASHBACK BUTTON with pliers as it may have been pushing the button. But the issue persists. This is an annoying issue and it's not OS related, it's motherboard related and something makes the FLASHBACK button blink.

I then updated Windows and Ubuntu with available patches, so it happend way before I made the updates and the OS versions above. But like I said, the OS doesnt matter because it wouldn't even boot.

I also did MEMTEST and 3DMARK stress test to test if it's my hardware that's failing, but it passed with no issues.

RELATED THREAD
- https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/left-pc-for-2-weeks-for-vacation-now-it-wont-turn-...

[bwandowando]

@Yapper1 

hello, were you able to fix this issue? If yes, can you please share what the issue was and how you fixed it?

Thank you

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @Yeti1911 @bwandowando @WisKomp and all

After thorough consultation and verification, regarding the situation where the BIOS flashback LED indicator flashes simultaneously with the inability to boot, we recommend further contacting your local customer service to arrange for repair or initiate an RMA for maintenance.
ASUS Support
ASUS RMA
Please DM me with the RMA number once obtained for subsequent tracking and confirmation.

Thank you.

[Yapper1 · Accepted solution]

           Hello everyone! Sorry for being inactive for so long. To start I'd like to say how disappointed I am with how the distributor for ASUS treated me and refused to accept my warranty, accusing me of bending the CPU slot pins after they received the motherboard from me working without any problems(except the BIOS problem that I mentioned in the post). After denying my warranty for the reason they told me, they said that they've tested the motherboard and they confirmed the problem with the BIOS. They suggested a solution - turning off "ErP Ready" in the BIOS settings. This workaround fixed the problem and currently the motherboard is working and has been in use for 4-5 months.
          I hope this information helps anybody with the same or similar issue. I also hope that after the ASUS fiasco with RMA policies, denying customers warranty with a reason that they have broken something will not happen anymore.