Z790 DARK HERO. Red CPU Light and Q Code 7F After Restart, no display or USB Input

[IVXY]

Hello, I really need help. I restarted my PC, and now I’m getting no display, and a red CPU light on the motherboard, and Q code 7F. Everything was working perfectly before the restart.
 
Specs
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO
Intel Core i9 14900K 
Kingston FURY Beast RGB DDR5 6000 CL30 64GB 4x32
 
• When I restarted it, the screen froze on the lock screen. After forcing it to shut down and powering it back on, I now get no display. My keyboard and mouse aren’t receiving power, but other USB devices are. I tried using different USB ports, no change.

Here’s what I’ve already tried

• Cleared CMOS multiple times button + battery method

• BIOS Flashback with latest BIOS version

• Reseated CPU and checked for bent pins none found

• Removed and tested RAM sticks individually

• Removed GPU and tested with integrated graphics

• Disconnected all unnecessary components and cables
Still stuck with the same issue, red CPU light and error code 7F.

The system powers on fans spin, lights work, but there’s no display output and no input from peripherals.

I don’t know if the CPU or the motherboard has failed. Please help

[dennys2009]

Hi! It looks like the motherboard is not working. Processor power failure.

[IVXY]

Hey, thanks for the response, I forgot to mention one thing, after my screen froze, I heard a weird noise near the CPU area. I’m not sure what it was, but I thought it might’ve been cables hitting the AIO fans or something. It only happened once, but I figured I’d mention it just in case it’s relevant

[Silent_Scone]

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@IVXY wrote:

Hey, thanks for the response, I forgot to mention one thing, after my screen froze, I heard a weird noise near the CPU area. I’m not sure what it was, but I thought it might’ve been cables hitting the AIO fans or something. It only happened once, but I figured I’d mention it just in case it’s relevant

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Hi @IVXY Looking at the symptoms in conjunction with weird noises, it does sound like something has failed. If you're using a third-party CPU contact frame remove this and retest using the stock CPU retention mechanism.

If no change, remove from the chassis and retest. Following that, consider RMA

[IVXY]

Hey, really sorry for the late reply, I took your advice and tested the board outside the case with just the essentials, and it actually ended up being the CPU. Swapped it out and everything’s working now. Appreciate the support

[Silent_Scone]

No worries,  thanks for the update

[Kaiyo]

im having almost an identical issue, is that a common thing on ASUS motherboards? does it just stop giving the cpu power

[JohnAb]

I think you've tried the most likely causes, but I would also remove all power cables (from the motherboard and PSU) and re-seat them again. Before giving up, I would also re-seat the CPU once more and very carefully check for and dirt or dust. I really don't know what the problem is, but motherboards and CPU's do fail occasionally. Can you check the CPU in another PC, or get a shop to test it for you?

[IVXY]

Thanks for your suggestion. I followed your advice and re seated all the power cables and the CPU again, but unfortunately I’m still getting the same issue, red CPU light and Q code 7F. I also tested the board with a different CPU, and the exact same issue happened, so I’m starting to suspect it’s the motherboard itself that failed. Sadly, there aren’t any shops nearby that can test it for me, so I’m pretty limited in what I can do from here

[dennys2009]

Hello! Perform a visual inspection of the processor for any missing surface-mount (SMD) components on the processor board