The CPU is a very important and fragile piece of hardware. If dropped on the floor or if a failed installation occurs, the pins on the CPU may be bent. Bent pins will prevent the CPU from working normally and will likely cause hardware errors on the computer. Luckily, there are a few easy home remedies you can try before spending the money on a new unit.
Choose Method
- Credit card: Good general approach.
- Mechanical pencil: Best move if there are only a few bent pins.
-
Sewing needle: Needs to be done for badly bent pins.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Credit Card to Straighten a Pin
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 1 Step 1. Find a suitable workplace
Place the CPU on a flat, hard surface with the pins facing directly up. Make sure you have cut off all static electricity by touching a grounded metal object.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 2 Step 2. Find the right card for this task
Usually, a standard plastic credit card or voucher card will work. Look for a pin row on the CPU that doesn't have bent pins in it. Take one of the cards, place the edges and slide it gently through the row of pins. If the card thickness is appropriate then the card will slide between the rows of pins with little resistance and no bent pins.
- If there is no contact with the pins or there is no resistance, then the card is too thin.
- If the card is too thick, you will not be able to slide the card through the row of pins without bending the pins. Do it carefully and never force the card to slide.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 3 Step 3. Run the card through the row of pins containing bent pins in all four directions
For example, if one pin is bent, run the card on the row of pins surrounding it, such as the "#" symbol. This step will align the pins in each direction.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 4 Step 4. Try installing the CPU
If it doesn't fit properly into the socket, it's possible that the pins are bent. Sometimes a bent center pin is difficult to detect.
Important: do not try to press or force the CPU
Method 2 of 3: Straightening Pins with a Mechanical Pencil
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 5 Step 1. Find an appropriate sized pencil
This method is best used if some of the pins are bent. You will need a mechanical pencil with holes 0.5 or 0.7 millimeters in diameter. This size will fit the CPU pins.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 6 Step 2. Remove the contents of the pencil from inside the pencil
The pencil hole must be free from obstructions.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 7 Step 3. Place the empty end of the pencil on top of the pin
Move the ends carefully to straighten the pins as they were. You can use the corner of the pencil as a guide to trace how straight the pin is.
Method 3 of 3: Using Sewing Needles as Lever
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 8 Step 1. Find an appropriate sized needle
If the needle doesn't fit between the two pins then it's too big. The advantage of needles is their sheer size, which allows you to straighten pins that other tools can't straighten.
Toothpicks or small tweezers are similar options
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 9 Step 2. Insert the needle under the bent pin
Be careful not to scratch the surface of the CPU.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 10 Step 3. Pull one end of the needle
This move will lift the bent pin into a straighter position.
Fix Bent Pins on a CPU Step 11 Step 4. Examine the situation to determine the next step
If the pins seem straight enough, you could try pairing the CPU. If the pin still needs straightening, now try using a credit card or mechanical pencil once you have access to the bottom. You can also continue to straighten the pins using the needle to make them straighter.
Always be careful when straightening pins that are badly bent as there is a risk of breaking them
Tips
- For one reason or another, Voucher cards are perfect for this purpose.
- Observe the CPU in adequate light to find all bent pins. If it's not attached, pay special attention to the single bent pin in the middle as it's hard to find and you may miss it.
- If the CPU isn't installed, feel for where it's sticking out. If it is attached to all but one of the corners, look for pins bent in that corner.
Warning
- Installing or tampering with the CPU incorrectly (unless received with bent pins) will void the CPU warranty.
- Don't forget to apply thermal glue over the CPU in case you need to remove the cooling components.
- In most modern processors, the CPU pins are made of very thin wire coated with gold, and are therefore very soft, flexible, and very easy to break. There is no way to replace a broken pin on a CPU, unless you have special equipment and skills.
- Don't bend the pin too much. The pins don't have to be perfectly straight; as long as most of it is straight, closing the CPU socket will straighten everything out. However, repeated bending can cause the pin to break.
