Apparently, it wasn't a GPU failure, but it was memory training on the Steam Machine, confirms Valve in a Reddit post.
User Fixes his Steam Machine That Showed Red Line of Death by a Simple CMOS Clear; Valve Says the LED Code Bar is Flipped Due to Miscommunication
A few days ago, a Redditor reported that his Steam Machine gave a Red Line of Death, indicating GPU failure as per Valve's guidelines. It was surprising since he ran the machine for merely 20 minutes, but couldn't understand what could cause such a quick GPU failure on a new machine.
After going through several troubleshooting methods, the user finally succeeded in fixing his machine by a simple CMOS clear, which was done by leaving the device unplugged overnight. In the day, the Steam Machine started working flawlessly as it should. However, what was previously thought to be a GPU failure was later debunked by Valve itself.
Valve commented that the LED bar indicator has been flipped horizontally on the Steam Machine, resulting in incorrect indications. According to the guidelines, a Red Line on the left indicates memory training, and when it glows on the right side, it means a GPU failure. Since the user showed a flipped red LED, it was assumed to be a GPU failure, even though the Steam Machine was performing memory training.
Hello,
If you're encountering this issue, please try the following:
- Unplug the Machine, then press the power button a few times. This ensures any stored energy in the PSU gets discharged. You may see the power indicator LED blip a moment.
- Plug the Machine back in. Note if your power LED glows (breathing pattern) white or not. If yes, please submit a Steam Support ticket and tag me, or send me a chat request with the ID.
- Hold the power button down for ~6s. You should see the power indicator LED (dot) flash momentarily. Release the power button when you do.
- The power indicator LED will start to cycle some color codes. These are designed to allow you to select various options for recovery/troubleshooting purposes. When the LED turns green, short-press the power button. This should perform a full "CMOS reset."
- On the next boot, you should see the RGB bar as blue - it may take a bit longer to boot due to a memory re-training.
Please tag me with a report if this gets your device back up and running. If not, please create a support ticket, and send me a chat request with the ticket ID. It should start with "HT-".
- SteamHWFeedback
Note: Due to a miscommunication, the front panel code is actually flipped horizontally out of the box. Since this happened right after (or during) a BIOS update, it's very likely that the update didn't fully complete, and is a memory training issue. The procedure above should force a fresh training.
This happens after a BIOS update on Zen 4 and Zen 5 platforms, which is why it takes time for the machine to get stable. When the system restarts after a BIOS update or some changes, the Steam Machine goes into memory training. Valve suggests that some boot cycles can fix it, assuming you follow Valve's provided steps.
News Source: Tech Power Up
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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