IceRiver KS3 / KS3L / KS3M Repair — Professional Kaspa Miner Repair by D-Central

The IceRiver KS3 series represents the heavy artillery of the Kaspa mining fleet. The KS3 delivers approximately 8 TH/s at 3,200W, the KS3L offers 5 TH/s at 3,100W, and the KS3M pushes 6 TH/s at 3,400W — full-size, rack-mountable machines built for serious KAS mining operations. These units were among the first high-performance Kaspa miners on the market, and thousands deployed in 2023 and 2024 are now moving past their warranty periods. With three hashboards, dual high-speed fans, substantial power delivery systems, and complex control electronics, the KS3 series demands professional repair capability when things go wrong — and at these power levels, component failures are not a matter of if, but when.

D-Central Technologies has been repairing ASIC miners since 2016, and our 2,500+ successful repairs span every major mining platform. As IceRiver’s Kaspa miners enter their second and third year of operation, we are seeing increasing volume of KS3 series units on our repair bench. Our technicians have developed deep familiarity with the KS3 platform — the hashboard architecture, the power distribution topology, the cooling system design, and the diagnostic procedures needed to pinpoint failures quickly and repair them at the component level.

IceRiver KS3 / KS3L / KS3M Specifications

Specification	KS3	KS3L	KS3M
Algorithm	kHeavyHash (Kaspa)	kHeavyHash (Kaspa)	kHeavyHash (Kaspa)
Hashrate	~8 TH/s	~5 TH/s	~6 TH/s
Power Consumption	~3,200W	~3,100W	~3,400W
Efficiency	~0.40 W/GH	~0.62 W/GH	~0.57 W/GH
Hashboards	3	3	3
Input Voltage	200-240V AC	200-240V AC	200-240V AC
Connectivity	Ethernet	Ethernet	Ethernet
Cooling	Dual fan air-cooled	Dual fan air-cooled	Dual fan air-cooled
Noise Level	~75 dB	~75 dB	~75 dB
Operating Temperature	0-35 C	0-35 C	0-35 C

Common IceRiver KS3 / KS3L / KS3M Issues and Symptoms

The KS3 series machines are full-size ASIC miners drawing over 3,000W each. At this power level, thermal stress, electrical stress, and mechanical wear are constant. After repairing hundreds of high-power ASIC miners across multiple platforms, these are the most common KS3 series failure patterns we encounter:

Hashboard Failures

The most frequent and most costly KS3 repair. The KS3 runs three hashboards, each packed with IceRiver’s proprietary kHeavyHash ASIC chips operating under heavy thermal and electrical load. Symptoms include one or more hashboards not detected by the control board, significantly reduced hashrate on a board (fewer chips reporting than expected), abnormal temperature readings on specific board regions, or the miner failing to start mining after detecting all boards. Root causes include individual chip failures from thermal fatigue or voltage stress, damaged signal traces between chip domains, failed voltage regulators that supply power to chip groups, degraded solder joints from thousands of thermal cycles, and failed temperature sensors that cause the board to shut down its hash chain. Component-level hashboard repair on the KS3 is complex but far more cost-effective than board replacement.

PSU and Power Delivery Issues

At 3,200-3,400W, the KS3 series pushes enormous current through every power connection and component. Power-related failures are the second most common issue we see. Symptoms include the miner not powering on at all, intermittent shutdowns under full load, burnt or discolored power connectors, unstable hashrate that fluctuates without temperature correlation, or a burning smell from the PSU or power input area. Root causes include degraded or burnt power connectors (a connection with even slightly increased resistance generates significant heat at these currents), failed capacitors in the PSU (electrolytic capacitors degrade faster at high temperatures), blown MOSFETs or rectifier components, and internal PSU fan failures that cause the PSU itself to overheat. Running a KS3 on an undersized circuit breaker, a shared circuit with other high-draw equipment, or unstable grid power accelerates these failures.

Fan Failures

The KS3 series generates over 3,000W of heat that must be removed by two high-speed fans. When a fan degrades — bearing wear, blade damage, motor failure, or connector issues — cooling capacity drops and temperatures spike. Symptoms include abnormal fan noise, fan speed warnings, thermal throttling at normal ambient temperatures, or thermal shutdown. At the KS3 power level, even partial fan degradation (a fan running at 80% instead of 100%) can push chip temperatures past safe thresholds. Fan failure on a KS3 is urgent — continued operation with degraded cooling will damage hashboard components.

Overheating and Thermal Damage

Chronic overheating is the root cause behind most KS3 component failures. At 3,200W+, the thermal management system has very little margin. Causes include dust accumulation on heatsinks and fan blades (even a thin layer of dust significantly reduces heat transfer), dried-out thermal paste between chips and heatsinks, restricted airflow from poor placement or blocked intake/exhaust, operating in ambient temperatures above 35 C, and failed temperature sensors that prevent the control board from detecting overheating conditions. Thermal damage is cumulative — a KS3 running 5 C above optimal for months will develop chip failures, solder joint degradation, and capacitor wear far earlier than one running within spec.

Control Board Failures

The control board manages all hashboard communication, pool connectivity, fan control, and system monitoring. Failures manifest as inability to detect one or more hashboards, network connectivity drops, inability to access the web interface, firmware corruption, or complete failure to boot. Power surges that travel through the Ethernet cable (lightning strikes, grid switching events) are a common cause of control board damage. Firmware corruption from interrupted updates or power loss during flashing can also render the control board non-functional.

Our Repair Process

Every IceRiver KS3, KS3L, and KS3M that arrives at our Laval, Quebec facility goes through a systematic repair workflow designed to maximize uptime and minimize cost:

1. Intake and Visual Inspection

We log your unit, photograph its condition, and perform a thorough visual inspection — checking for burnt power connectors, corroded components, physical damage, dust accumulation, fan condition, heatsink integrity, and any signs of liquid exposure.

2. Full Diagnostic Testing

We power the unit on our test bench with calibrated power supplies and run complete diagnostics: chip enumeration on each of the three hashboards, voltage domain measurements across every power rail, temperature sensor validation, fan speed and airflow testing, control board communication checks, network connectivity verification, and firmware status review. This identifies every fault — not just the one that triggered the shutdown.

3. Detailed Quote

You receive a comprehensive diagnostic report with a breakdown of every fault found, the repair work required, the cost, and the estimated turnaround time. No surprises. You approve the quote before we proceed.

4. Board-Level Repair

Our technicians perform component-level repairs: ASIC chip replacement, voltage regulator repair, signal trace repair, temperature sensor replacement, power connector repair or replacement, thermal paste reapplication, heatsink reattachment, fan replacement, PSU repair, firmware reflashing, and control board repair. We use quality replacement components and professional BGA rework stations.

5. Post-Repair Testing

Every repaired KS3 series unit is run through an extended burn-in test at rated hashrate — sustained operation with temperature monitoring across all three hashboards, power consumption verification, fan performance confirmation, and network stability testing. We do not ship a miner until it passes our quality benchmarks.

6. Return Shipping

Your repaired KS3 is securely packaged and shipped back to you with full documentation of all work performed and test results.

Repair Pricing

KS3 series repair costs vary based on the nature and extent of the fault. Diagnostics start at $65 CAD, and typical repairs range from $65 to $300 CAD — from simple fan replacements to complex multi-chip hashboard repairs. PSU repairs are quoted separately based on the specific failure. We always provide exact quotes after diagnostic testing. For a rough estimate, use our ASIC Repair Cost Estimator.

Why D-Central for IceRiver KS3 Repair

2,500+ miners repaired since 2016. We have been fixing ASIC hardware since before most repair shops existed. Our 95%+ success rate spans every generation of Bitmain, MicroBT, Innosilicon, Canaan, and now IceRiver hardware.

High-power ASIC expertise. The KS3 at 3,200W+ sits in the same power class as the Antminer S19 XP and Whatsminer M50S+ — machines we have repaired hundreds of. We understand the unique failure modes that high-power-density miners produce: thermal fatigue, power delivery degradation, and the cascading failures that follow.

Component-level repair. We do not just swap hashboards — we diagnose at the chip and voltage domain level and repair the specific failed components. This approach is significantly less expensive than board replacement and generates less e-waste.

Canadian facility, North American service. Our repair shop is in Laval, Quebec. No overseas shipping. No customs on returns within Canada. Fast turnaround and direct communication — call us at 1-855-753-9997.

Transparent pricing and process. Full diagnostic report and firm quote before any repair begins. Diagnostic fees apply toward repair costs. No hidden charges.

Warranty on all repairs. Every repair we perform comes with a warranty covering the specific work done. Same issue recurs? We fix it at no additional cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical turnaround time for a KS3 repair?

Most KS3 series repairs are completed within 5-10 business days after receiving your unit. Fan replacements and firmware reflashes can be done in 1-2 days. Complex hashboard repairs involving chip replacement may take up to 2 weeks depending on parts availability. PSU repairs vary based on the extent of damage. We provide an estimated timeline with your quote.

My KS3 detects only 2 of 3 hashboards. What is wrong?

A missing hashboard is one of the most common KS3 issues. Start by powering off the unit and reseating the ribbon cable connection between the control board and the undetected hashboard — a loose cable is the simplest and most common cause. If the cable is secure and the board still does not appear, the issue is likely on the hashboard itself (chip failure breaking the detection chain, a failed voltage regulator preventing the board from powering up) or on the control board (a damaged connector or communication circuit). Send it to us for proper diagnosis — our testing identifies the exact fault.

Is it worth repairing a KS3 that is out of warranty?

Almost always yes. The KS3 at 8 TH/s is a powerful Kaspa miner with significant value. Even the KS3L at 5 TH/s represents substantial mining capacity. Our repair costs ($65-$300 for most issues) are a fraction of replacement cost. The only scenario where repair might not make sense is extensive damage to multiple hashboards requiring many chip replacements — and even then, repairing two boards and replacing one is often the best path. We always give you an honest cost-versus-value assessment.

How do I ship my KS3 to D-Central?

Contact us to initiate a repair request. Pack the KS3 securely in its original packaging or a heavy-duty box with thick foam padding on all sides — these are full-size miners and can be damaged in transit if not properly protected. Remove the power cable. Include a note with your symptoms. Ship to our facility in Laval, Quebec using a tracked, insured service. The KS3 weighs around 15 kg, so factor shipping costs accordingly.

What is the difference between the KS3, KS3L, and KS3M for repair purposes?

All three share the same fundamental architecture — three hashboards, dual fans, similar control board platform. The differences are in chip count, clock speeds, and power configuration, which result in different hashrate and efficiency numbers. From a repair perspective, the diagnostic and repair procedures are very similar across all three variants. The parts are largely interchangeable within the KS3 family, which means good parts availability for repairs.

My KS3 runs hot even with good airflow. Should I send it in?

If your KS3 is running hotter than expected despite proper airflow and clean fans, the most likely cause is degraded thermal paste between the ASIC chips and heatsinks. Over months of continuous operation at 3,200W+, thermal interface material dries out and loses conductivity. A thermal paste refresh is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair that can drop chip temperatures by 10-15 C and prevent premature chip failures. Do not wait until a chip actually fails from overheating — preventive thermal maintenance is much cheaper than chip replacement.

Get Your IceRiver KS3 Back to Full Hashrate

A KS3 running at 8 TH/s is a serious piece of Kaspa mining infrastructure. When it goes down, the lost hashrate adds up fast. D-Central has the expertise, the diagnostic equipment, and the repair capability to get your KS3, KS3L, or KS3M back to its rated performance — fast, transparent, and backed by warranty. We are the Mining Hackers — we have been bringing miners back from the dead since 2016.

Contact D-Central for a repair quote or call us at 1-855-753-9997.

Looking for repair services for other IceRiver models? See our KS0/KS0 Pro Repair, KS1/KS2 Repair, and KS5L/KS5M Repair pages, or visit our ASIC Repair hub for the full list of miners we service.