How to Troubleshoot a Graphics Card Issue: The Ultimate Fix Guide

 

How to Troubleshoot a Graphics Card Issue

Introduction

A failing graphics card can cause frustrating problems like black screens, crashes, stuttering, artifacts, overheating, or low FPS. Whether you're a gamer, video editor, or designer, a faulty GPU (graphics processing unit) can disrupt your workflow and ruin your experience.

But don’t worry! Most GPU issues can be fixed with the right troubleshooting steps. This guide will walk you through common GPU problems, their causes, and the best ways to fix them—whether you're using an NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics card.

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Signs of a Graphics Card Issue

How do you know if your graphics card is failing? Look for these common signs:

1. Black Screen or No Display

• Your PC turns on, but the monitor stays black.
• The display flickers or randomly turns off.

2. Frequent Crashes or System Freezes

• Games or software crash suddenly.
• The entire system freezes or reboots unexpectedly.

3. Screen Artifacts (Weird Colors, Glitches, or Lines)

• Strange shapes, green lines, or colored squares appear on the screen.
• Textures in games look distorted or flicker.

4. Low FPS or Performance Drops

• Games suddenly lag, stutter, or lose FPS.
• The GPU fails to run high-performance tasks properly.

5. Overheating or Loud Fan Noise

• The GPU temperature rises above 85°C, causing performance throttling.
• The GPU fans run at full speed or don’t spin at all.

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How to Troubleshoot a Graphics Card Issue: Step-by-Step Solutions

Now, let’s go through proven solutions to fix your GPU problems.

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1. Check the Physical Connection & Power Supply

Loose connections or insufficient power can cause GPU malfunctions.

✅ Steps to Fix:

1. Turn off your PC and unplug it from the power source.
2. Reseat the GPU by removing it from the PCIe slot and reinserting it firmly.
3. Check if the PCIe power cables (6-pin or 8-pin) are connected properly.
4. Ensure your power supply (PSU) is strong enough to handle your GPU.

🔴 If the PC doesn’t detect the GPU after this, try another PCIe slot or test it on another PC.

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2. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a leading cause of GPU issues.

✅ How to Update NVIDIA or AMD GPU Drivers (Windows):

1. Press Win + X, select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters and right-click your GPU.
3. Select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.

✅ Download Drivers Manually:

• NVIDIA: Download from NVIDIA
• AMD: Download from AMD
• Intel: Download from Intel

🔴 If updating doesn’t help, uninstall and reinstall the GPU driver using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).

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3. Monitor GPU Temperature & Prevent Overheating

Overheating can cause crashes, artifacts, and black screens.

✅ How to Check GPU Temperature:

• Use MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to monitor GPU temps.
• Ideally, keep temps below 85°C under load.

✅ How to Prevent Overheating:

• Clean the GPU fans and heatsink from dust buildup.
• Improve case airflow by adding fans or opening the side panel.
• Replace thermal paste if the GPU is old.

🔴 If the GPU still overheats, underclock it slightly using MSI Afterburner.

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4. Check for Software Conflicts & Malware

Background apps or malware can conflict with the GPU, causing performance drops.

✅ How to Fix:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Close unnecessary programs (e.g., browsers, recording software).
3. Run a full virus scan using Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.

🔴 If your GPU usage is unusually high even when idle, malware could be using your GPU for crypto mining.

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5. Adjust Graphics Settings & Disable Overclocking

Extreme settings or overclocking can cause instability and crashes.

✅ How to Lower Graphics Settings (In-Game):

• Reduce resolution, shadows, and texture quality.
• Turn off ray tracing and V-Sync.

✅ How to Disable Overclocking (Windows BIOS):

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (F2, F12, or Delete during boot).
2. Find the Overclocking or Performance tab.
3. Disable overclocking and save changes.

🔴 Reboot and check if the GPU works properly.

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6. Check for Faulty Hardware (Test on Another PC)

If none of the fixes work, test the GPU on another system to confirm if it’s faulty.

✅ Steps to Test the GPU on Another PC:

1. Remove the GPU from your system.
2. Insert it into another working PC.
3. If the GPU works fine on another PC, your motherboard or PSU may be faulty.
4. If it fails on another PC, your GPU might be dead or damaged.

🔴 Consider replacing the GPU if it's confirmed faulty.

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Advanced Troubleshooting for Specific GPU Problems

Here are quick fixes for specific GPU issues:

1. GPU Fans Not Spinning

• Check power cables (6-pin or 8-pin).
• Use MSI Afterburner to manually control fan speeds.

2. Random FPS Drops or Stuttering

• Enable High-Performance Mode in Windows.
• Set GPU to Maximum Performance in NVIDIA/AMD settings.

3. No Signal on Monitor

• Try another HDMI/DisplayPort cable.
• Reset BIOS settings to default.

4. Game Crashes with GPU-Related Errors

• Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables.
• Check for Windows updates.

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When to Replace Your Graphics Card

If your GPU shows these signs, it’s time for an upgrade:

• Severe overheating or physical damage.
• Continuous crashes even after troubleshooting.
• New games no longer run at acceptable FPS.
• Your GPU is over 5-7 years old and outdated.

💡 Best Upgrade Options:

• For Budget Gamers: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super, AMD RX 6600
• For High-End Gaming: NVIDIA RTX 4070, AMD RX 7900 XT

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FAQs

How do I know if my GPU is dying?
If you see artifacts, crashes, overheating, or no display, your GPU may be failing.

Can a bad PSU cause GPU issues?
Yes! A weak power supply can lead to crashes, black screens, or failure to boot.

What is the safest way to clean my GPU?
Use compressed air to remove dust and avoid touching internal components.

Why does my game crash with a GPU error?
It could be due to overheating, outdated drivers, or corrupted game files.

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Conclusion

A failing graphics card doesn’t always mean you need a replacement! By checking connections, updating drivers, preventing overheating, and testing the GPU, you can troubleshoot most issues successfully.

If the GPU is still malfunctioning after all fixes, it might be time for an upgrade or professional repair. Keep your drivers updated and system clean to avoid future GPU problems!