Skip to main content
  • Place orders quickly and easily
  • View orders and track your shipping status
  • Enjoy members-only rewards and discounts
  • Create and access a list of your products

PowerEdge: How to Troubleshoot a Server Power Supply Unit

Summary: This article details the procedure to troubleshoot power supply unit (PSU) issues that may arise on a PowerEdge Server.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

Introduction

Each PowerEdge Server is supplied with power by a Power Supply Unit (PSU). The information in this article can be used to troubleshoot a PSU. Use the following steps to troubleshoot the PSU:

NOTE: Power supply updates should be the last update made to a system, as it is guaranteed to result in downtime.
  • Ensure that no loose connections exist and that all components are firmly connected.

If the error persists, follow the videos in the troubleshooting section below.


Troubleshooting Steps:

How to Troubleshoot a PowerEdge Server Power Supply Unit.

Duration: 00:01:01
Closed captions: Available in multiple languages. Use the CC icon to change the closed caption language.

PowerEdge: Power Supply Unit LEDs Quick Tips

Duration: 00:00:58
Closed captions: Available in multiple languages. Use the CC icon to change the closed caption language.

  1. Press the power button on the server to ensure that the system is powered on.
  2. Perform a swap test. If another compatible, working PSU is available, swap it with the PSU that is experiencing issues. If the replacement PSU shows no issues, then it is likely that the original PSU is faulty. If the replaced PSU exhibits the same issue as the original, it is likely that the power distribution board (PDB) or the motherboard is faulty.
NOTE:
  • If you are installing a new PSU, allow several seconds for the system to recognize the power supply unit and determine if it is working properly.
  • If no additional PSUs are available, shut down your server and attempt to swap test with the redundant PSU.

Replacing a power supply unit is a simple action. If the server has two power supplies configured in redundant mode, which is the default setting, you can remove one of them without shutting down the server. The remaining power supply continues to provide the power to the server. In general, all components with an amber removal tool can be unplugged while the server is powered on.

WARNING: The system requires one power supply for normal operation. On power-redundant systems, remove and replace only one power supply at a time in a system that is powered on.
  1. Disconnect the power cable from the power source and from the power supply unit that you intend to remove, and then remove the cable from the strap.
  2. Press the release latch and then slide the power supply unit out of the chassis.

Power supply diagram
Figure 1: Power supply diagram

Figure 1 Reference Part
1 Release latch
2 Power supply unit cable connector
3 Power supply unit
4 Connector
5 Power supply unit handle
  1. To insert the new power supply, insert the block in the slot. This operation can be performed while the server is powered on.
  1. Check for loose cabling to the power supply unit and for loose seating of the power supply unit.
  2. Check the PSU indicator lights. Understanding the PSU indicator codes helps you to understand the issue. Each AC PSU has an illuminated translucent handle. Each DC PSU has an LED that serves as an indicator to show whether power is present or a power fault has occurred.

DC PSU LED statuses
Figure 2: DC PSU LED statuses

Figure 2 Status LED Color Condition
A Green A valid power source is connected to the PSU, and the PSU is operational.
B Flashing green When the firmware of the PSU is being updated, the PSU handle flashes green.
C Flashing green and turns off When hot-adding a PSU, the PSU handle flashes green five times and turns off. This indicates that there is a PSU mismatch regarding efficiency, feature set, health status, and supported voltage.
D Flashing amber This indicates a problem with the PSU.
E Not lit The power is not connected.
  1. If you have recently upgraded your system, ensure that the power supply unit has enough power to support the newly upgraded system.
  2. If you have a redundant power supply configuration, ensure that both the power supply units are identical.
  3. Check if there is no POST.
    If the PSU appears to be in good working order, the issue may be due to no POST. For more information about this issue, check the "No POST" section of Dell PowerEdge: Troubleshooting a Server that does not start (No Power, No POST, No Boot and No Video).
  4. If step 1 through step 7 fails, it is likely that the power supply unit has failed.

Additional Information

Related Resources
Here are some recommended resources related to this topic that might be of interest:

Affected Products

PowerEdge, PowerEdge R200, PowerEdge R210, PowerEdge R210 II, PowerEdge R220, PowerEdge R230, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R300, PowerEdge R310, PowerEdge R320, PowerEdge R330, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R410, PowerEdge R415, PowerEdge R420 , PowerEdge R420XR, PowerEdge R430, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R510, PowerEdge R515, PowerEdge R520, PowerEdge R530, PowerEdge R530xd, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R610, PowerEdge R620, PowerEdge R630, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R710, PowerEdge R715, PowerEdge R720, PowerEdge R720XD, PowerEdge R730, PowerEdge R730xd, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R805, PowerEdge R810, PowerEdge R815, PowerEdge R820, PowerEdge R830, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R905, PowerEdge R910, PowerEdge R920, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge T40 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000127944
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2024
Version:  17
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.