Excited! after having your hands on a brand new CPU? But after opening the package, you find out that you have a CPU with bent pins. This will give you a heart attack. Can you return this or exchange this defective component?
CPU pins can also bend with a slight shake of the hand while installing it, which will get the cold sweat out of you. But don’t worry, I will try to dig up all your questions and answers here.
As a certified AMD hardware maintenance engineer, I have dealt with this kind of situation for more than 5 years. I will show you the path to get rid of these bent pins.
Try to read the entire article to clear all your doubts, and you will find all your solutions.
Is it Possible to Return a CPU with Bent Pins?
Yes, it is possible to return a CPU with bent pins. But it depends on damaging conditions. You won’t get a warranty for bent CPU pins, but manufacturers will fix them for you with an additional fee. But you shouldn’t worry much if those pins aren’t bent enough and sit appropriately into the motherboard’s socket.
Suppose, you have purchased a CPU through an online shop like Amazon or E-bay and got a CPU with bent pins.
What should you do now?
You can send it back to them but they won’t accept it or return it unless you show them that you received it with bent pins. Try to record a video while you are unpacking a CPU package that you have bought from online shopping. It will give them enough evidence that it’s their shipping fault or poor packaging fault.
If you can provide the evidence that it’s their fault then you can send them back and claim for a new one or refund. Sometimes, it’s possible to fix the bent pins if the pins aren’t damaged so much. Before sending them back try to figure out, can you fix those pins or not? If you can fix them just give it a try.
Quickly check out our epic guide on how to fix CPU fan not detected in BIOS.
What are the Symptoms of CPU with Bent Pins?
Pins are used for input and output operations for the CPU. It’s the main bridge of communication between the CPU and the motherboards. There are several types of pins like Data pins, Address pins, and control pins.
You can’t identify different types of pins but you can easily tell if your CPU pins are bent or not by simply looking at them. Hold the CPU and take a look from a straight angle at the pins.
If you see some pins are not in a straight line then those are bent already.
Try to check from row to row or take a look from the above. If you find pins that are flattered then you found it. Sometimes pins are so tiny that you can’t detect bent pins with a naked eye. But with the help of a magnifying glass, you can find it with ease.
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Why do CPU Pins Bend?
CPU pins can be bent for many reasons. After ordering a CPU from an online marketplace, it is possible to get a damaged product like a CPU with bent pins. It’s happened because of poor packaging or fault in shipping procedures.
But this happens a lot when a user doesn’t follow the safety guide. When a person fails to handle the CPU correctly while installing it to the sockets, it can bend easily. If the CPU falls from your hand accidentally while installing it, you may end up not only with bent CPU pins but also with bent motherboard pins. Even while upgrading the CPU, pins can bend if you are not careful enough.
As these pins are made of gold and copper, they are prone to bent easily. So, try to handle them carefully. It’s packaging should follow the fragile guideline while shipping it to the customers.
Also, check out our separate post on how to update Bios without CPU.
What are the Consequences of CPU with Bent Pins?
A lot of things can happen when you end up with bent CPU pins. To boot up the system it’s important that all of the pins are connected to the motherboards socket connector or points.
If any of the pins fail to connect it to the sockets point your pc won’t boot up or it won’t give you a POST code. In some rare cases, it is seen that a bent pin causes a short circuit to the motherboard which can damage the motherboard by frying up the electronic components.
If you have installed the CPU with bent pins into the motherboard you may not face major problems in the beginning. But in the future, there is a high chance that you may face a heating issue or CPU throttling issue in your daily usage.
So, try not to use a CPU with bent pins or you will face bad consequences.
Follow our guide to know will Motherboard turn on without CPU.
How to Fix CPU with Bent Pins
It’s highly recommended to fix the Bent pins before using the CPU. Using a CPU with Bent pins can damage the whole motherboard or the CPU. You can fix them easily with some easy steps or you can go to the service point to fix them.
Here are some steps to fix bent CPU pins Easily:
- By using a credit card: To fix those bent pins using a credit card or credit card like tool is the best way. First, try to put the CPU on a flat surface where it could sit steadily. Then hold the card gently and run it into the row of pins. Apply a little amount of pressure to straighten the bent pins. Don’t apply too much pressure or you will damage the pin. Glide to each row of pins where necessary. Press it left or right to straighten the pins. After going through every bent pin take a final look. If all the pins are in the perfect alignment then you are done. Now take the CPU and install it gently to the motherboard socket.
- By using a mechanical pencil: You can also use a mechanical pencil to fix bent pins. Place the CPU on a flat and stable surface first. Remove the pencil lead from the pencil is a must. Then place the empty head of the pencil around the bent pin. Apply little pressure to correctly align the pin. Try to apply pressure step by step and slowly. It’s good to go slowly than break the pin. After correctly positioning each bent pin try to take a look at all the pins row by row from a different angle. You can also use a magnifying glass to do this.
- By using tweezers: Try to use small size tweezers. Keep in mind that it should be anti-static or magnetic free. Otherwise, it can cause major damage to the CPU. After placing the CPU in a steady place try to gently hold the pins with the tweezers. Apply a small amount of pressure while you are guiding the Pins in a straight line. You have to be alert all time while using this tool to fix the bent pins. Applying too much pressure can break the pins.
Follow our guide to know will Motherboard turn on without CPU.
FAQs
Can I use a CPU with broken pins?
No, you can’t use a CPU that has one or several broken pins. If you install a CPU with a broken pin into the socket your system won’t boot up or you won’t see a POST code. It’s high time to buy a new CPU and use the damaged CPU as a decorative electronic showpiece.
Whose processors have CPU pins?
AMD is using PGA (Pin Grade Array) sockets for a long time. AMD processors have pins and its supported motherboard socket doesn’t have pins. On the other hand, Intel uses LGA (Land Grade Array)sockets, which contain no pins on the processors for a long time. LGA sockets are more reliable than PGA sockets.
Will my processor work If I fix bent pins?
Yes, it should work just fine if the pins are perfectly aligned after fixing. If no serious damage happens when pins are bent then after fixing them it should work perfectly. After fixing them and before installing the CPU to the socket just take a closer look for perfectly aligned pins.
Conclusion
Try to be more careful while installing a CPU and hold the CPU gently. You can return a CPU with bent pins after purchasing them online if you have evidence that you received a damaged product. You can get a full refund or get a new CPU.
Try not to fix the bent pins by yourself if you fill not confident enough to fix them. By paying a little amount to the manufacturers you can get it fixed. But if you feel enough confident to fix them then give it a try by following the above steps.
If you have gone through the entire article I think you have found this article an all-in-one solution for your problem. Try to give a comment if you are stuck somewhere or need any help.
