ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero users report short circuit burnout

Several ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard users say their motherboard has burned out after a short circuit. They report this on the ASUS ROG forum and on the ASUS subreddit. The cause may be an incorrectly connected capacitor.

The first report of the issue is from ROG forum member Maximumrog57, who reported the burnout on December 17. This user says the problems started a few days after a firmware and bios update. According to the user, there was an audible tap, after which he got an error message, qcode 53, and the qled lit up orange. There was also a burn mark on the motherboard.

Since then, several similar motherboard issues have surfaced online in the forum and ASUS subreddit, Wccftech and Digital Trends noted. The cause seems to be an incorrectly installed capacitor, according to youtuber Actually Hardcore Overclocking. It seems that some of the motherboards have the capacitor the wrong way round, which would cause problems, according to the youtuber.

What is striking is that the users report that the motherboard works normally at first, and that the problems only arise later. It is not yet clear whether the problems arise after a certain BIOS update or whether the capacitor wears faster due to prolonged overheating. Reddit shows that not every ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard is equipped with the same capacitor. The capacitor with ‘150’ written on it would cause problems, because in some cases it is the wrong way round, as can be seen from the line that should be on the right side. ASUS has not yet publicly responded to the reports and has not yet announced a recall.

Update December 31: ASUS has launched a recall for ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboards with product number 90MB18E0-MVAAY0 and a serial number starting with MA, MB or MC. Users can find the serial number on the box and on a sticker on the motherboard itself. ASUS calls on those affected to contact the support department.

Photos: Maximumrog57