Other folks have reported that error code is memory related. Try pulling all but one stick of RAM and see if it boots. Answer from What_is_a_reddot on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/msi_gaming › msi x570 unify - errors codes 'c5' -> '0d' - no post
r/MSI_Gaming on Reddit: MSI X570 Unify - Errors Codes 'C5' -> '0d' - No Post
October 9, 2021 -

Had 0d errors with this board before, but persistence and rebooting (after dumping current/power button held for 30 seconds) usually won out. Today I got a new Lian Li case, Lian Li fans, and 32 GB RAM (GSkill Trident Z RGB, 3200). Needless to say, much excite/wahwahweewah.

Upon powering on the PC, I don't even get a post. It goes straight to error code C5 for a few seconds, then switches to the all too familiar 0d.

I've tried holding the Reset CMOS button in the back, specifically holding it down for 5-10 seconds, but that doesn't change anything.

This couldn't be a BIOS issue, right?

Do I try and RMA/Warranty the board with MSI or go back to BH Photo (got it from them last November)?

Is there another option?

Sincerely desperate,

A fellow nerd Raptured_Spleen.

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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
C5 code on MSI motherboard. What does it mean? - YouTube
Showing the bent pins on a motherboard.
Published   July 9, 2025
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Tom's Hardware Forum
forums.tomshardware.com › home › memory
Question - MSI X670E ACE C5 ERROR Multiple sets of RAM | Tom's Hardware Forum
December 27, 2023 - When I use one stick of RAM in DIMMA2 I immediatley get C5 error when I have both DIMMA2 and DIMMB2 populated it stays code 15 for much longer and then eventually goes C5 error. In a two stick set I should be able to just use one fine is this correct? Seems like by bios requires there to be two sets? ... Managed to get PC to boot with one single stick of ram When I swap the rest into the same DIMM they all get the same C5 error
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › boot error code c5
r/buildapc on Reddit: Boot error code C5
January 12, 2020 -

Just spent 8 hours building and got an error code C5 on the motherboard. The PC then power cycles. Anyone ever have a similar issue? There is not much to find when trying to search for it.

Specs are below:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type Item Price
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8 GHz 12-Core Processor $493.84 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler Corsair H150i PRO 47.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler $174.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard [AsRock X570 Taichi ATX AM4 Motherboard]
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory $129.99 @ Newegg
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory $129.99 @ Newegg
Storage Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive $441.87 @ Amazon
Storage Toshiba X300 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $189.18 @ Amazon
Video Card Asus GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB ROG Strix Gaming OC Video Card $1199.99 @ Newegg
Power Supply Corsair 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply $209.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Case Fan Corsair ML120 Pro LED White 75 CFM 120 mm Fan $27.99 @ Amazon
Monitor LG 27GL850-B 27.0" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor $496.99 @ B&H
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
Total $3869.76
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-01-11 21:22 EST-0500
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MSI
forum-en.msi.com › home
MSI Global English Forum
July 23, 2025 - Older MSI motherboards, All boards older than listed in Intel and AMD section.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › c5 error code msi mpg x870e carbon wifi
r/buildapc on Reddit: C5 error Code msi mpg x870e Carbon wifi
March 25, 2025 -

Hey everyone, I need some help with an issue I’m facing. I recently installed a Ryzen 7 9800X3D into my MPG X870E motherboard, but every time I try to boot, I get error code C5 on the motherboard. I’ve checked the manual but couldn’t find any information on this error. The CPU and RAM debug LEDs are both lit up, so I’ve already checked both components, but the problem persists. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on what might be causing this? Appreciate any help!

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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › computer › fdmk1-motherboard-giving-error-code-c5-b550.html
Troubleshooting C5 Error Code on ASRock and ASUS Motherboards - Expert Q&A
The Q-Code C5 on the ASRock B550 Steel Legend indicates a memory initialization problem. First, reseat RAM modules and test each slot individually. Update the motherboard BIOS to ensure CPU and RAM compatibility.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/msi_gaming › erreur c5 sur la carte mère
r/MSI_Gaming on Reddit: Erreur C5 sur la carte mère
November 11, 2025 -

Salut, je viens de monter un nouveau PC pour la première fois. J'ai les composants pertinents suivants :

MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk

Ryzen 9950X3D

Kingston Fury Beast 64GB DDR-6000 CL30-36-36 (c'est officiellement compatible avec la carte mère)

Quand j'ai démarré pour la première fois, j'ai eu une erreur "C5", ce qui indique un problème de RAM. J'ai donc testé différentes combinaisons. Les deux modules de RAM fonctionnent lorsqu'ils sont utilisés seuls en A2, mais dès que j'ajoute l'autre en B2 (ou n'importe quel autre slot), j'ai à nouveau "C5" et je ne peux pas démarrer.

Mettre à jour le BIOS n'ayant pas aidé, j'ai appris que de tels problèmes peuvent être causés par le CPU ou le socket du CPU. Avant de monter le PC, j'avais testé comment je devais mettre le CPU dans son socket. Même si je pensais l'avoir fait attentivement, le socket avait 2-3 connecteurs tordus après avoir retiré le CPU. J'ai remis ces connecteurs en forme (du moins, je le pensais) et je ne m'attendais pas à d'autres problèmes.

Bref, le socket n'avait pas l'air aussi abîmé que ceux que j'ai vus sur des photos de gens avec des problèmes similaires. Qu'est-ce que tu me conseillerais dans ma situation ? Démonter les composants et jeter un autre coup d'œil au socket ? J'hésite parce que je ne veux pas risquer d'autres dommages, à moins que je doive vraiment le faire. Si oui, devrais-je essayer de trouver un pote avec un CPU compatible et voir si ça marche sur ma carte mère ? Ou tester mon CPU ailleurs ?

L'installation de Windows 11 avec un seul module de RAM de 32 Go a réussi et les premiers benchmarks semblent bons. Penses-tu que j'aurais des problèmes supplémentaires à l'avenir si je décidais de faire tourner le système avec seulement 32 Go au lieu de devoir acheter une nouvelle carte mère (CPU ?) tout de suite ?

Merci d'avance pour toute aide !

Find elsewhere
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MSI
forum-en.msi.com › home
CPU & DDR Error and C5 Initialization Code
Older MSI motherboards, All boards older than listed in Intel and AMD section.
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Fixya
fixya.com › home › forum › computers & internet › msi
SOLVED: C5 error code - MSI | Fixya
November 14, 2019 - SOURCE: AV8 Motherboad post code C5 freezes on boot.
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Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com › computer hardware › cpus, motherboards, and memory
Motherboard error codes C5 and 0D - CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory - Linus Tech Tips
August 17, 2021 - https://linustechtips.com/topic/1365948-motherboard-error-codes-c5-and-0d/ More sharing options... Followers 1 · Go to topic listing CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory · LTT Official Folding Month VIII (Nov 1st - Dec 6th) TheLANguy · September 28 · 2,214 · BSOD With Ram ·
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/msi_gaming › x670e carbon not posting, new build, code c5
r/MSI_Gaming on Reddit: X670e carbon not posting, new build, code C5
May 18, 2023 -

Just assembled my rig. Keep getting C5 on the 7 segment display, red and amber CPU/dram diagnostic LEDs.

Every ram slot throws the C5 code except A2, both sticks work. I can get to the bios with one stick, but as soon as one stick goes on B2, whether it's both or one, it throws the C5 code and stops.

Suggestions? On the last beta bios, not the most recent one.

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The FPS Review
forums.thefpsreview.com › hardware › cpus
Ryzen Master, 3900x, I don't know where to start on this . . . | The FPS Review Forums
July 23, 2019 - What if it doesn't work even after buying compatible RAM? I am so confused... ... Have you cleared the CMOS to see if you can get back to posting? C5 seems to be memory related, and your modules are not on the qualified list for the 2xxx Threadripper on that board (but the C17 version is).
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Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com › the workbench › troubleshooting
New Build (Was Working) | Hung on Debug Code C5 after attempting to fix Windows BSC Issues - Troubleshooting - Linus Tech Tips
June 1, 2023 - https://linustechtips.com/topic/1510183-new-build-was-working-hung-on-debug-code-c5-after-attempting-to-fix-windows-bsc-issues/
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › computer › nrjhh-c5-code-won-t-boot-aorus-asrock-motherboard.html
Troubleshooting C5 Error Code on Aorus and ASRock Motherboards - Expert Q&A
December 29, 2023 - These modifications do not change the intent or substance of the original messages. ... X670E Master may show C5 code errors and fail to boot due to power or memory initialization issues.
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MSI
forum-en.msi.com › home › msi gaming › gaming motherboards (meg / mpg / mag)
Subject: Request for Assistance - CPU & DDR Error and C5 Initialization Code | MSI Global English Forum
December 22, 2024 - Dear MSI Support Team, I am experiencing an issue with my MSI X870 Godlike motherboard. When I power on my system, a "CPU & DDR Error" message is displayed, along with the "C5 - OEM BDS Initialization Code." Here are the components installed in my system:
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Hardware Centric
hardwarecentric.com › home › msi motherboard error codes: a guide to troubleshooting msi motherboard errors
MSI Motherboard Error Codes: A Guide to Troubleshooting MSI Motherboard Errors - Hardware Centric
August 11, 2024 - For example, code 00 means no error was detected during POST while code 02 signals a CPU configuration issue before the microcode is loaded. Other common MSI error codes involve memory errors like 22 or 29, CPU defects (5A), CMOS checksum failure ...
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Overclockers UK
forums.overclockers.co.uk › hardware › new to pc gaming & upgrade advice
First build but get C5 error on boot | Overclockers UK Forums
August 31, 2023 - Is the motherboard on a BIOS version that supports the X3D chip? Flash to latest BIOS if you can. Make sure Expo isn't on. ... Thanks all, I did a CMOS reset and waited for a while and the error code disappeared. It could have been that but I did take the RAM out and put them back in again. Successfully updated BIOS too. Now windows install. Thanks again all ... Hi Just built my upgrade and got the ç5 error .my mobo is asrock x870e phantom gaming just reset CMOS and took a stick of ram out .
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Linus Tech Tips
linustechtips.com › computer hardware › cpus, motherboards, and memory
Error Code C5/0d - CPUs, Motherboards, and Memory - Linus Tech Tips
March 11, 2026 - Hi, sorry if the answer might be obvious, but I need some help. I bought recently a new system and case. After I finished building the PC and wanted to start I got the error that a new CPU was detected, somehow I could resolve that issue (maybe after updating the BIOS). Afterwars my PC had some i...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › code 15 for 30 seconds then c5 at first boot
r/buildapc on Reddit: Code 15 for 30 seconds then C5 at first boot
April 26, 2024 -

I just mounted all the parts for my new PC, plugged the HDMI cable for the screen then the USB for the keyboard to start installing Linux from the bios and then I got… code 15 for about 30 seconds, then it remained stuck at code C5 and nothing is shown on the screen.

My components are:

  • Motherboard = ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero

  • CPU = AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

  • Power supply = Corsair, RMe Serie RM750e

  • RAM = G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB

  • Storage = WD black SN850X 2TB

  • GPU = MSI RTX4060Ti Ventus 3X 16GB OC GeForce 3xDP

I was careful to:

  • place my 2 RAM sticks on A2 and B2, that doesn’t change a thing.

  • I also tried to put only one RAM on A2 but wasn't luckier.

Then I tried:

  • upgrading the bios using the USB key to 1905

  • Reverted to 1904

  • Emptied the cache

  • Removed both RAM and got code 10, but still nothing on the screen (which I assume is normal as the PC can go to the POST stage without RAM) Any idea what went wrong..? This is my first PC build and i have no idea of what to do now.

[EDIT: SOLVED] It appears that the RAM seemed properly plugged in (I had heard the click and the lights were turning on) - but I had to force more the bottom part of the RAM stick into the MOB.