BIOS Beep Codes for Intel® Desktop Boards

Documentation

Troubleshooting

000005473

12/12/2017

If an error occurs during startup, you will:

  • Hear an audible beep code, or
  • See a blink pattern on the power LED

Click or topics for details:

Audible beep codes

You can hear the beep codes through the onboard piezoelectric speaker. For Intel® Desktop Boards without the onboard speaker, you can hear the beeps through a speaker attached to the line out audio jack on the board.

Beep Code Sequence/Pattern Meaning Troubleshooting Steps
Single beep One 0.5 second beep F2 Setup / F10 Boot Menu prompt This short beep occurs when the BIOS is ready to accept keyboard input. No action needed.
2 beeps

On-off (1.0 second each) two times, then 2.5-second pause (off).

The pattern repeats once.

Then the computer continues to boot.

 Video error (no add-in graphics card installed)
  • Reseat add-in graphics card.
  • Make sure a compatible processor is installed.
Related topics
No video and two beeps during boot
Intel® Processors and Boards Compatibility Tool
3 beeps

On-off (1.0 second each) three times, then 2.5-second pause (off).

The pattern repeats until the computer is powered off.

 Memory error
  • Reseat the memory.
  • Make sure that the contacts on the memory and the socket are clean.
  • Try removing one bank of memory modules at a time. (Some systems can require a memory module in Bank 0.)
  • Try using memory modules from the same manufacturer with the same part number and speed.
  • Check for a faulty memory module by trying the memory in a known good system.
High/low beeps

Alternate high and low beeps (1.0 second each) for 8 beeps.

Then the computer shuts down.

 CPU thermal trip warning
  • Check that the processor heatsink/fan is properly installed.
  • Check that the thermal interface material is sufficient and is spread evenly.
Visible LED blink patterns

Visible blink patterns display via the front panel power LED.

LED Blink Pattern Sequence/Pattern Meaning Troubleshooting Steps
2 blinks

On-off (1.0 second each) two times, then 2.5-second pause (off).

The pattern repeats once.

Then the computer continues to boot.

 Video error (no add-in graphics card installed)
3 blinks

On-off (1.0 second each) three times, then 2.5-second pause (off).

The pattern repeats until the computer is powered off.

 Memory error
  • Reseat the memory.
  • Make sure that the contacts on the memory and the socket are clean.
  • Try removing one bank of memory modules at a time. (Some systems can require a memory module in Bank 0.)
  • Try using memory modules from the same manufacturer with the same part number and speed.
  • Check for a faulty memory module by trying the memory in a known good system.
16 on/off blinks .25 seconds on, .25 seconds off, for a total of 16 blinks.

Then the computer shuts down.		 CPU thermal trip warning
  • Check that the processor heat sink/fan is properly installed.
  • Check that the thermal interface material is sufficient and is spread evenly.
Continual blinks

Off when the update starts, then on for 0.5 seconds, then off for 0.5 seconds.

The pattern repeats until the BIOS update is complete.

 BIOS update in progress This blink pattern is normal behavior. No action needed.
Beep codes for discontinued (legacy) desktop boards
Beep State Meaning
1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps Video configuration failure (a faulty video card or no card installed), or an external ROM module does not properly checksum to zero.
1 Refresh failure
2 Parity can't be reset
3 First 64K memory failure
4 Timer not operational
5 Processor failure (reserved; not used)
6 8042 GateA20 can't be toggled (memory failure or not present)
7 Exception interrupt error
8 Display memory R/W error
9 (Reserved; not used)
10 CMOS Shutdown register test error
11 Invalid BIOS (such as, POST module not found)