Is your Antminer showing a missing hashboard or only two out of three boards working? Don’t panic – this is a common issue that can significantly reduce your miner’s performance. In this guide, we’ll explain the typical causes of an “Antminer missing hashboard” problem (from software glitches to power issues) and provide step-by-step troubleshooting for beginners to diagnose and fix it. We’ll focus on Bitmain models S19, S19j Pro, T19, S21, L7, L9, and Z15 running stock firmware. By the end, you’ll know how to address a hashboard not detected error and when it’s time to seek professional repair 🔧💡.
Common Causes of a Missing Hashboard
- Software Glitches or Firmware Bugs: Sometimes a bug in the miner’s software can prevent a hashboard from being recognized. Simply updating or reloading the firmware has helped bring back a board that was not detected. This suggests the issue can be intermittent: a reboot or firmware upgrade may temporarily resolve it, but if it keeps happening, there could be an underlying hardware problem.
- Loose or Faulty Cables: A very frequent cause of one hashboard not showing up is a bad connection. Each hashboard communicates with the control board via data ribbon cables – if a cable is loose, improperly seated, or damaged, the controller can’t detect that board. Bitmain’s official guidance for a missing hashboard is to double-check that all cables are in good condition and firmly connected. Power cables matter too – if the PCIe power connectors to a board are loose or burned, that board might not power on at all.
- Failed Hashboard Hardware: It’s possible that the hashboard itself has a fault. If one board has burnt-out ASIC chips, a bad PIC (board microcontroller), or other component failures, the control board may register it as “0 ASICs found” and disable that board. Logs might show that “chain 2 only has 40 ASICs and the hash board powers off” (on a model that should have 76 ASICs per board) – a clear sign that the board is malfunctioning. A bad board will not be detected by the system and requires repair or replacement.
- Controller Board Faults: The problem might not always be the hashboard – it could be the control board (the miner’s main controller). The control board has multiple connectors or ports for hashboards; if one of those ports or the related circuitry is damaged, it may fail to detect an otherwise good hashboard. If the replacement control board detects all hashboards, then the original controller board’s interface was bad. However, controller issues are less common than hashboard failures or cable problems in these scenarios.
- Power Supply or Power Delivery Problems: In some cases, an inconsistent or insufficient power supply can cause a hashboard to drop out. Each hashboard requires a stable 12V supply. If one cable is disconnected or if the PSU itself has a failing rail, a hashboard might not power up. Poor grounding can also cause detection issues. Ensure your Antminer has adequate power and is properly grounded ⚡.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide 🔧
Follow these steps to diagnose and potentially fix an Antminer that is not detecting one of its hashboards. Always power off and unplug the miner before performing hardware checks.
- Check the Miner Status and Logs: Log into the Antminer dashboard and check if all hashboards are listed. Look in the kernel log for “0 ASICs found” or similar errors.
- Reboot the Miner: Try a soft reboot or full power cycle to clear any temporary glitch.
- Update Firmware: Download and install the latest official stock firmware for your specific Antminer model from Bitmain. Reboot after updating.
- Inspect Connections: Power off the unit and reseat or replace all signal and power cables. Check for burns or loose pins. Clean dust and ensure fans work.
- Check PSU and Grounding: Ensure the PSU is strong enough and delivering power evenly. Confirm stable AC input and proper grounding.
- Test Boards Individually: Run the miner with one board at a time to isolate a faulty board. Swap boards between known-good slots.
- Test or Replace the Control Board: If possible, test with another control board or try the undetected board in another unit.
When to Contact a Professional Repair Shop ⚡
- Under Warranty: Request an RMA from Bitmain. Expect a long wait (4–8 weeks or more).
- Need Fast Turnaround: Use our hashboard repair service. We diagnose, replace faulty chips, and test under load in real miners.
- Chip Replacement: We provide ASIC chip-level repair with warranty options.
- Need Help? Contact us for expert assistance. We’ll help you get your miner back to full power.
Compatible Antminer Models
This guide applies to Antminer 19 series, 21 series, L and Z series. Whether it’s a hashboard missing from your SHA-256 miner or an altcoin model, these steps will help.
💡 Contact our team if you're dealing with hashboard issues. We offer fast, expert repair with 4–5 day turnaround.