You can bend them outward to avoid removing the board. I genuinely don't understand the purpose either.. Answer from psimwork on reddit.com
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Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com โ€บ computer hardware โ€บ cpus, motherboards, and memory
Should I be worried about the io shield tabs touching this port? - CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory - Linus Tech Tips
November 3, 2019 - So I realized that my hmdi port on my motherboard is being blocked and likely being touched by one of the metal io shield tabs. Is this something to worry about? Especially when I don't even use the port at all? So far, my system has been running fine for a year and a half with no issues so far (...
Discussions

What should I do with the sticking out I/O shield tabs?
People say that they ground the ports but isn't the PSU enough? What should I do? Take it all apart? Try to bend them inward? cut them off? Those protruding metal tabs are there to help hold and guide the back panel into place while keeping the IO shield from popping out of position. More on forums.tomshardware.com
๐ŸŒ forums.tomshardware.com
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May 17, 2014
How do I adjust the tabs on an I/O shield? | AnandTech Forums: Technology, Hardware, Software, and Deals
Hey guys, I have a nice Gigabyte ... the I/O shield that came with it is a cheap piece of junk. It has these thin, very thin tabs protruding out from the sides of the port-holes. Am I supposed to bend these in, or leave them alone? I have tried it both ways, and neither feels satisfactory. Should I cut them off? ... I think the purpose of those tabs is to short the motherboard metal connections to the case in order to ground them for noise purposes. So the the IO shield tabs ... More on forums.anandtech.com
๐ŸŒ forums.anandtech.com
February 15, 2012
I/O Shield Tabs, what the hell do I do with these? | AnandTech Forums: Technology, Hardware, Software, and Deals
The I/O shield, that thing that the I/O ports poke through and which connects to the case -- it's got a bunch of metal tabs sticking connected to it. Do I bend those off? Do they serve a purpose... More on forums.anandtech.com
๐ŸŒ forums.anandtech.com
June 2, 2007
What's with the metal "prongs" on this motherboard IO backplate - Hardware Hangout - Neowin
With these loose metal bits shown in the photo above? I can't fit it between the case and the motherboard whilst they're there. Are they supposed to be bent/cut off? More on neowin.net
๐ŸŒ neowin.net
August 1, 2013
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PCPartPicker
pcpartpicker.com โ€บ forums โ€บ topic โ€บ 132242-io-shield-tabs
IO Shield Tabs - PCPartPicker
Is it okay if I remove the little tabs on the IO shield? They are really annoying and they prevent my motherboard from fitting in.
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Tom's Hardware Forum
forums.tomshardware.com โ€บ home โ€บ motherboards
What should I do with the sticking out I/O shield tabs? | Tom's Hardware Forum
May 17, 2014 - People say that they ground the ports but isn't the PSU enough? What should I do? Take it all apart? Try to bend them inward? cut them off? Those protruding metal tabs are there to help hold and guide the back panel into place while keeping the IO shield from popping out of position.
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AnandTech
forums.anandtech.com โ€บ home โ€บ hardware and technology โ€บ computer building
How do I adjust the tabs on an I/O shield? | AnandTech Forums: Technology, Hardware, Software, and Deals
February 15, 2012 - Should I cut them off? ... I think the purpose of those tabs is to short the motherboard metal connections to the case in order to ground them for noise purposes. So the the IO shield tabs are supposed to bend in, but still touch the metal of the connectors on the motherboard.
Find elsewhere
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Vocal Media
vocal.media โ€บ gamers โ€บ how-to-install-io-shield-a-simple-guide-for-beginners
How To Install IO Shield? (A Simple Guide for Beginners) | Gamers
๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Some IO shields have small metal tabs. These tabs should touch the ports on the motherboard, but not block them.
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AnandTech
forums.anandtech.com โ€บ home โ€บ hardware and technology โ€บ motherboards
I/O Shield Tabs, what the hell do I do with these? | AnandTech Forums: Technology, Hardware, Software, and Deals
June 2, 2007 - Originally posted by: Peter You don't snip them off or anything. They're there to reduce electromagnetic emission from the machine. Just position them so they touch the metal shielding of the plugs that pass through the plate.
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Overclock.net
overclock.net โ€บ home โ€บ forums โ€บ amd โ€บ amd motherboards
What's the purpose of the metal tabs on the i/0 shield plate? | Overclock.net
April 10, 2010 - I'm sure it's not that big of a deal, but they do serve a purpose. ... They're used for additional grounding tabs and are supposed to touch the metal casing around the different IO ports.
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Ars OpenForum
arstechnica.com โ€บ forums โ€บ hardware & tweaking โ€บ case and cooling fetish
Why do I/O shields have those pesky little tabs? | Ars OpenForum
January 1, 2004 - No, there are tabs in the lip around the edge that hold the shield in place.<BR><BR>I think the tabs are for holding the shield a bit around the port - though I think they are annoying as well.
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TE Connectivity
te.com โ€บ en โ€บ products โ€บ connectors.html
Connectors: Wire Connectors and Electrical Connectors | TE Connectivity
2 weeks ago - Our portfolio includes connectors available in a wide range of positions from 0 to 4,189. Our audio and visual connectors offer enhanced board retention and EMI shielding. Our automotive connectors are built to withstand harsh conditions of highway and off-road transportation.
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GameFAQs
gamefaqs.gamespot.com โ€บ pc โ€บ hardware โ€บ console
IO shield questions - PC
For PC on the PC, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "IO shield questions".
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eBay
ebay.com โ€บ electronics โ€บ computers/tablets & networking โ€บ computer components & parts
Motherboard Io Shield | eBay
A motherboard IO shield serves as a protective cover that fits over the motherboard's external connectors. It helps to prevent dust, dirt, and electromagnetic interference from affecting the motherboard's performance. Additionally, it aids in organizing and guiding the various ports for easier ...
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GitHub
github.com โ€บ Bodmer โ€บ TFT_eSPI
GitHub - Bodmer/TFT_eSPI: Arduino and PlatformIO IDE compatible TFT library optimised for the Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040), STM32, ESP8266 and ESP32 that supports different driver chips ยท GitHub
A "Discussions" facility has been added for Q&A etc. Use the "Issues" tab only for problems with the library.
Starred by 4.8K users
Forked by 1.4K users
Languages ย  C 85.7% | C++ 12.6% | Processing 1.4%
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Neowin
neowin.net โ€บ technical help & support โ€บ hardware hangout
What's with the metal "prongs" on this motherboard IO backplate - Hardware Hangout - Neowin
August 1, 2013 - With these loose metal bits shown in the photo above? I can't fit it between the case and the motherboard whilst they're there. Are they supposed to be bent/cut off?
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eBay
ebay.com โ€บ shop โ€บ i-o-shield-plate
I O Shield Plate | eBay
Yes, I/O shield plates vary by the number and arrangement of cut-outs to match different port configurations. Some are tailored for high-end motherboards with additional ports, while others fit standard or micro-sized boards. Select one that aligns with your motherboard's port setup.
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Specy
specy.github.io โ€บ genshinMusic
Player
Learn how to play songs, play them by hand and record them. Use the approaching circles mode or the guided tutorial to learn sections of a song at your own pace. Share your sheets or import existing ones.
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Amazon
amazon.com โ€บ FASTROHY-Replacement-Without-Backplate-Motherboard โ€บ dp โ€บ B09HXDHX16
Amazon.com: FASTROHY 2Pcs I/O Shield Replacement Without Any Opening Blank Backplate for All Motherboard DIY : Electronics
Buy FASTROHY 2Pcs I/O Shield Replacement Without Any Opening Blank Backplate for All Motherboard DIY: Motherboards - Amazon.com โœ“ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases