Is my Raspberry pi 3 b+ dying?

Hello all,


I've got a rpi3 I've been using for a while now, and I'm suddenly getting undervoltage messages. Nothing has changed recently. I use it as a headless server.


I have ethernet plugged in and a 2TB 2.5" sshd used for the system. Before if I made a change that I coudn't ssh in and fix. e.g. messed up a network config, I could connect a mouse and/or keyboard, and monitor and fix it locally, now even so much as plugging in a usb wireless card causes undervoltage messages in dmesg and can halt the system from responding at all. I get messages in dmesg saying it can't read/write to /dev/sda. Sometimes unplugging the device will restore normal functionality, other times I have to hard reset the system.


I thought maybe my psu was bad and bought a new one, same results. I tried with a fresh install and same results.



Is this the hardware dying? Anything else I should try before buying another?


Any input is appreciated

Is the PSU strong enough (ampere)?
I read somewhere that's the Nr.1. mistake people make with raspis.
Esp. if you add peripherals that don't have their own power supply.

Originally Posted by ondoho Is the PSU strong enough (ampere)? I read somewhere that's the Nr.1. mistake people make with raspis. Esp. if you add peripherals that don't have their own power supply.

yes I had read that as well, and had bought the Canakit charger when I purchased the pi on amazon, as seen here,https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1, which seems to be a reputable charger. It had never given me problems before. Only recently have I had these issues.



I bought another charger to try, just in case the old had gone bad from usual wear and tear, but the same issues persist.


I had read that some people faced these issues after kernel upgrades. But the issue persists across multiple distros. Even with old downloads of distros that I had before that didn't give me issues at the time I downloaded them.


Makes me think it's probably hardware failure

If that was continuously overheated.... Yes, try another power source. And another SD card. And finally, another RPi (actually it is cheap).

Tested with all versions of the Raspberry Pi including the Pi 2 and Pi 3

Even though the title says 3B+, so I'm guessing that could be your problem.

I use the official RPi power supply on nearly all of mine, the exception being when I power it from my powered USB hub.

Originally Posted by pan64 If that was continuously overheated.... Yes, try another power source. And another SD card. And finally, another RPi (actually it is cheap).

Thanks for the input



It shouldn't have overheated, it isn't in a confined space or anything and it isn't really used for much except as a small file server. I did try multiple power supplies and outlets in my house, and multiple sd cards. I had the same issues with them all.


I have been using it maybe 4+ years and knew it would die at some point. This looks like it

^ That seems premature.
Have or have you not added peripherals that suck power?
Can you remove all peripherals (I guess those GPIO thingies also count) and try again? maybe with a different (preferably stronger) power supply? Have you, in fact, done any troubleshooting at all?

Originally Posted by ondoho ^ That seems premature. Have or have you not added peripherals that suck power? Can you remove all peripherals (I guess those GPIO thingies also count) and try again? maybe with a different (preferably stronger) power supply? Have you, in fact, done any troubleshooting at all?

I'll rephrase and add more information where I can, I have a 2TB 2.5" sshd used for the system, and ethernet plugged in. These are the only things I have plugged in 99% of the time. I sometimes connect a monitor, and mouse/keyboard if I mess up a network config or what-have-you and need to fix it locally.


Nothing is attached to any GPIO pins.


Yes I have done all of the troubleshooting detailed in this thread including:

• Trying a new PSU
• Trying a different power outlet
• Trying a fresh install
• Trying multiple distros
• Trying another sd card

I did also buy another power supply rated up to 3.5amp and got the same results.


If I plug in a powered usb hub, it operates properly. But didn't need one before to plug in the other peripherals I would usually use.

I have a Pi with the same problem and it works fine. From what I can gather the chip that monitors the low voltage triggers at 4.63±0.07VDC. I suspect the problem is a combination of PSU and power cable. Most of the USB cables use small diameter wire which can have a high resistance. This causes a voltage drop and so the voltage at the Pi is too low. Many of the PSUs are rated at 5.1 or 5.2 VDC which compensates for cable loss. Have you replaced the USB power cable?

Since you say powered hub works I suspect the reason is due to the current draw on the PSU is less and therefore its voltage is higher at the Pi.

My cable is fairly long but I haven't bothered changing it yet...

Originally Posted by TheEzekielProject Yes I have done all of the troubleshooting detailed in this thread including: Trying a new PSU Trying a different power outlet Trying a fresh install Trying multiple distros Trying another sd card

Interestingly, removal of peripherals is mssing from that list.
Peripherals suck power.