From video games to professional 3D work, a graphics card is an essential piece of kit for those who want to push their computers to the next level of graphics rendering. Unfortunately, as is usually the case with adding additional hardware to a computer, graphics cards come with their own issues and problems. If your graphics card isn't working, it can be frustrating, especially for those unfamiliar with graphics cards and how to diagnose errors.
SummarySymptomsComputer crashesArtifactLoud fan soundsDriver crashesBlack screensFixesSwap APIChange driversComplete driver removalCool it downMake sure it's properly seatedCheck video cableCheck monitorReplace cardGraphics fixHere are the symptoms of a faulty graphics card and how you can fix them when a graphics card is not working.
If it's been a while since you've updated your graphics card drivers, update them through NVidia, AMD, or Intel, depending on your card brand. Alternatively, if you recently updated the drivers, try rolling back the driver to an earlier date or installing older drivers through your vendor's driver archive.
You may have recently upgraded your GPU, but also switched from one brand to another – for example, switching from an AMD GPU to an Nvidia-made GPU. In this case, it is better to completely uninstall the previous GPU drivers. Unfortunately, their official uninstallers tend to leave traces. Fortunately, there is a third-party solution to this problem:the Display Driver Uninstaller.
Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU for short) from its official page on Guru 3D, and run it before swapping your GPU or installing the desired driver. Use it to remove all traces of existing display drivers, then shut down your computer and replace your GPU with the new one, or restart and install different display drivers. This is also useful when troubleshooting display issues as it allows you to ensure that their source is not a driver conflict.
It is possible that the graphics card is experiencing problems due to overheating. This will be especially relevant if the errors only occur after rendering 3D graphics for a while or if you notice that your graphics card fan is getting extremely loud during rendering. If so, try checking the temperature of your graphics card to see how hot it is.
You can combat overheating by removing the graphics card and cleaning the dust with compressed air. You can even open the card itself and refresh the thermal paste inside, although this shouldn't be attempted by beginners. There are also tools for regulating the graphics card's fan and graphics output, such as MSI Afterburner.
Graphics cards must be properly seated in their PCI slots to function effectively. If they require additional power outlets to operate, these should be firmly plugged in with no wiggle room. Failure to do either (or both!) can lead to graphics card related errors. Make sure the card is properly inserted into the PCi and screwed tight. Ensure that all power connectors required for operation are properly clipped into the unit.
If the cable connecting your PC to your graphics card goes bad, it can create strange visual effects. If something visually odd happens, make sure the video cable is plugged in securely on both sides or replace the cable.
Visual issues may not even be the graphics card at all, but rather a sign that the monitor is about to die. If none of the above solutions work, try replacing the monitor or graphics card. If the problem goes away, what you replaced was the culprit.
Sometimes, however, symptoms are simply a sign that a card has passed its prime. If you really think that nothing can bring the card back to its current state, you can try to buy a very cheap graphics card to see if it works on your PC. If the problems stop, consider buying a better new card!
While excellent for rendering 3D space, graphics cards can present their own issues and problems. Now that you know the main symptoms of a faulty card and how to fix it when a graphics card is not working, you can learn more about what v-sync is and whether you should enable or disable it or consult our user guides. AMD Radeon Settings and Nvidia Control Panel.
