Troubleshooting a Dead Raspberry Pi

When a single-board computer fails to boot, the issue is almost always related to power delivery.

Checking the 5V Rail

• Measure the voltage at the USB input jack rather than the USB port itself.
• Check for voltage sag under load by connecting a dummy load resistor.
• Inspect the micro USB cable for internal wire breakage or corrosion.

Inspecting the PMIC

• Look for signs of physical damage or liquid exposure on the Power Management IC.
• Verify that the 3.3V rail is stable before the 5V rail is applied.
• Check the GPIO header for short circuits caused by loose metal components.

Systematic power analysis prevents unnecessary component replacement.