Pi zero appears dead

[Logic Error]

The other day I was given a pi zero, I've got noobs on an 8gb sd card, I purchased a power supply but I'm getting no lights on the pi and no output on the tv I'm using

[Andyroo]

It’s remotely possible that the LEDs are dead - you could check the voltage out on the GPIO but to be honest I think you are looking at the $35 dollar fix discounted down fir a Zero W esp if you are not seeing anything at all on the monitor.

[Imperf3kt]

The Pi Zero range only has an ACT LED (green) , no power good LED (the red one).
The ACT LED won't blink unless there is activity on the SD card.

How old is the version of NOOBS on the card? It may be too old to work on a Pi Zero.

I recommend using etcher to install the latest version of Raspbian Stretch full and completely ignore NOOBS.
You will require at least some other kind of device to flash the SD card that is at least SDHC compatible.

[fruitoftheloom]

The other day I was given a pi zero, I've got noobs on an 8gb sd card, I purchased a power supply but I'm getting no lights on the pi and no output on the tv I'm using

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=58151

[Logic Error]

The Pi Zero range only has an ACT LED (green) , no power good LED (the red one).
The ACT LED won't blink unless there is activity on the SD card.

How old is the version of NOOBS on the card? It may be too old to work on a Pi Zero.

I recommend using etcher to install the latest version of Raspbian Stretch full and completely ignore NOOBS.
You will require at least some other kind of device to flash the SD card that is at least SDHC compatible.

Got noobs less than a week ago so it can't be outdated

[Imperf3kt]

Was the Pi Zero you were given brand new, or second hand?
Perhaps the previous owner damaged it?

Take a look through the boot sticky and see if anything in there helps.
viewtopic.php?t=58151

If not, try to power the Pi without an SD card inserted. If it generates heat from the big black chip, it has been electronically damaged and cannot be repaired. (since replacement parts are not available and the required tools are extremely expensive)

[B.Goode]

Your download of NOOBS may be current, but you may not have written it to your microSD card correctly. Or your microSD card might be faulty.

Or the RPiZero might be faulty: was it passed on to you on the understanding that it was in working order, or simply "as seen"?

You have been referred to a summary of all the knowledge accumulated from these forums during the past 7 years about difficulties getting an RPi to boot, see - STICKY: Is your Pi not booting? (The Boot Problems Sticky) - viewtopic.php?f=28&t=58151


What was the outcome of the test proposed there for determining whether an RPi Zero is functional?

[Logic Error]

Your download of NOOBS may be current, but you may not have written it to your microSD card correctly. Or your microSD card might be faulty.

Or the RPiZero might be faulty: was it passed on to you on the understanding that it was in working order, or simply "as seen"?

You have been referred to a summary of all the knowledge accumulated from these forums during the past 7 years about difficulties getting an RPi to boot, see - STICKY: Is your Pi not booting? (The Boot Problems Sticky) - viewtopic.php?f=28&t=58151


What was the outcome of the test proposed there for determining whether an RPi Zero is functional?

Computer has detected it
It was given to me brand new
Don't think there was any heat, but it's a hard to tell cos my hands are cold, but a 2nd opinion said no

[Imperf3kt]

If you're unsure about the heat we mentioned then it's fine.
The usual "dead SOC" heat will burn your finger after a couple of seconds - you'd know without a doubt if it was getting hot.


Do that just leaves the SD card. Either it wasn't flashed right, or something else has happened.

[Logic Error]

All good, thx for the help
Re installed without noobs on a different sd card
All working now