The graphics card not detected or GPU not detected issue is a common and unfortunate one for many computer users. It’s something that many people can relate to, especially if they have built a new gaming PC, upgraded their GPU, or plugged in their shiny new prebuilt.
At Xidax, we’re here to not only provide our clients with a huge range of computing options, from gaming PCs to custom laptops, workstations and more, but also with expertise on troubleshooting and several related areas — including issues of the GPU not being detected. Many people are unsure of what to do if this issue happens on their device, but there are some basic fixes that you can apply. Here are the basic steps to take, starting with a quick word on how to determine if your GPU is being detected.
To see if your graphics card is detected, you should search for Device Manager on Windows 10. This will provide a list of options from which the GPU can then be found. After you select Display Adapters, it will indicate whether or not the graphics card has been detected by Windows and whether or not any other issues exist with it.
In other cases, you can use diagnostic tools like the DirectX tool that will ensure connection of the GPU, plus will give you specifics on its operations. If the GPU does not appear here, you know you have an issue.
If you’re experiencing the graphics card not detected or GPU not detected issue, one of the simplest things you can do is remove your GPU and inspect it — as well as other components on your motherboard. This way, you can see if there are any issues that may have been lingering in these components, such as loose cables or damage to the slots, and rectify them.
In other cases, your issue may be incredibly simple, such as a monitor cable that’s unplugged. Check for basic connections like these and related themes.
It is always possible that the graphics card drivers are the issue. This can be fixed by installing them again. You will need to find your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers for your device before proceeding with this solution.
This may involve manually inputting your current GPU model into a manufacturer website. Once you’ve found the proper drivers and re-installed them, restart the machine and check to see if your problem has been solved or if it persists.
Another thing you should do is check the viability of the power supply. A graphics card uses up the most wattage in many systems, including gaming computers. If there’s any malfunction with your GPU from this, it will cause your system to shut off. Ensure that you’re using a quality power supply and that your computer isn’t overloaded or running on an old one.
If these simple fixes didn’t fix the issue, it may be time for a new video card altogether, which can usually be bought online or at a local electronics retailer for just a few hundred dollars.
If this issue still persists, you may want to try updating your BIOS. The BIOS are the instructions that run when your computer starts up. They include information about the hardware and operating system, and can sometimes be corrupted or outdated if not updated. If this happens, it can lead to some issues with boot-up that can include a graphics card not detected. However, updating the BIOS is easy and is a great way to fix these even if there’s nothing wrong with your video card at all.
For an example of how to update your BIOS, it’s best if you head over to your manufacturer’s website for help in downloading it and following their instructions on how to do so. If you need assistance, our team will be happy to help.
If your BIOS was already up-to-date, or if updating it didn’t solve your issue, you may find success with restoring the BIOS to default. Here are the steps:
If the solutions above still haven’t fixed your GPU not detected problem, there is a strong chance your GPU, or in rarer cases GPU slot on your motherboard, is defective. In these cases, you will need to replace the GPU or, at minimum, the GPU slot.
However, sometimes Windows can cause some unexpected issues; there have been several recent scenarios where the latest Windows updates is causing a bug. You can fix this issue simply by rolling back to an earlier time period where it was solved:
For more on dealing with issues of GPU not detected on any computer or gaming device, or to learn about our custom gaming computers and more, speak to the staff at Xidax today.
