What is PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE?
PSU capacitor bulging/failure is a critical-severity power supply unit (PSU) issue. Physical inspection reveals bulged or leaking electrolytic capacitors inside the power supply unit. Bulging capacitors are a sign of imminent catastrophic failure. A failing capacitor can cause voltage ripple, power rail instability, and complete PSU failure. In worst cases, capacitor failure can cause fire or damage downstream components. Follow the steps below to fix it.
Common Causes
- Component aging (5+ years)
- Chronic voltage instability
- Manufacturing defect (capacitor plague era)
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Stop using the PSU immediately
A PSU with bulging capacitors is a fire and safety hazard. Stop using it immediately and replace it.
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2
Replace the entire PSU — do not repair DIY
Never attempt to repair a PSU yourself — capacitors store dangerous charge even when unplugged.
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3
Have a qualified technician inspect other components for damage
For lingering PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE cases, "Have a qualified technician inspect other components for damage" is worth running through.
Commands & Diagnostics
No specific commands required for this error. Follow the step-by-step guide above.
Frequently Asked Questions
The leading cause of PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE is component aging (5+ years), though chronic voltage instability and manufacturing defect (capacitor plague era) also show up in our reports.
The fastest fix is "Stop using the PSU immediately". Only move on to the later steps if PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE keeps coming back.
Yes — PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE is a critical-severity error and can lead to data loss or hardware damage if it's ignored. Don't put off the fix steps above.
Usually. PSU-CAPACITOR-BULGE is fixable with the steps above; a full Windows reinstall is rarely necessary unless everything else has failed.
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