Graphic cards: How they fail and tips to prevent failures

Graphic cards How they fail and tips to prevent failures

Graphics cards are used to display pictures, video games, animations, and other video material. It’s a vital component of your computer since it lets your central processing unit (CPU) devote more time to other things. If yours goes down, it might render your PC nearly unusable.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a type of graphics card, video card, or display card. It can be a serious problem when it stops operating, regardless of what you call it. Knowing what to look for and how to repair your GPU can help you avoid having an unusable device.

So, what are the most common causes of graphics card failure?

One of the most common causes of graphics card failure is insufficient power. If your PC’s power supply isn’t up to the task, it can cause your graphics card to overheat and malfunction. Other potential problems include a faulty graphics card, incompatible drivers, or malware.

If you’re experiencing problems with your graphics card, there are a few things you can do. The first is to check the manufacturer’s website for updated drivers. If that doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, or rolling them back to an earlier version. You could also try cleaning out your computer’s fans and vents to improve airflow. Finally, you could try upgrading your graphics card.

Power failure / Insufficient power

One of the main causes of graphic card failures is insufficient power. This can be caused by a power outage, or by not having enough wattage available to power the card.

Overheating

Another common cause of graphics card failure is overheating. When a graphics card gets too hot, it can start to malfunction or even fail completely. This can be caused by several factors, including inadequate cooling, blocked vents, or a large number of applications running at once.

Static electricity

Static electricity can also cause graphics cards to fail. If you’re not careful when handling your graphics card, you could easily zap it with static electricity, which can damage or destroy the card.

Moisture

Graphics cards are also susceptible to moisture damage. If your computer is in a humid environment, or if you’ve spilled water or another liquid on your graphics card, it can cause the card to fail.

Overclocking

Overclocking and using unofficial software can also increase the risk of graphics card failure. If you’re not careful, you could damage your graphics card while trying to push it to its limits.

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to preventing graphics card failure. However, by being aware of the most common causes of graphics card failure, you can take steps to protect your card and prolong its lifespan.

If you’re looking for ways to prevent graphics card failure, here are a few tips:

Make sure your computer is in a well-ventilated area – This will help keep your computer’s internal temperatures down and will help prevent your graphics card from overheating.

Limit your overclocking – Overclocking can push your graphics card to its limits and increase the risk of failure. If you don’t need the extra performance, it’s best to leave your card at stock speeds.

Avoid using unofficial software – Unofficial software (such as custom drivers) can often push cards beyond their official specifications. This can increase the risk of failure.

Keep your computer up-to-date – By keeping your computer’s software up-to-date, you’ll reduce the number of potential compatibility issues that could cause graphics card problems.

Back up your data regularly – This is always a good idea, but it’s especially important when it comes to your graphics card. If your card does fail, you’ll lose all the data that was stored on it.

Use a good quality power supply – A high-quality power supply is essential for any PC, and it’s especially important for graphics cards. A bad power supply can quickly cause problems with your graphics card.

Choose the right graphics card for your needs – Not all graphics cards are created equal, and not all of them will be suitable for your needs. Make sure you choose the right card for your system.

Keep your system cool – Overheating can cause all sorts of problems with your PC, including graphics card failures. Make sure your system has adequate cooling, and that you’re not overclocking your graphics card.

Symptoms of a bad graphics card

Is it possible that your computer problem is caused by a graphics card failure? These early indicators of a GPU problem are typically indications of something else.

  1. Glitches on the screen: Have you seen unusual colors or designs appear on your computer screen lately? If this happens when your graphics card is under strain, such as while playing a video game or streaming a movie, your GPU may be at fault. Restarting might help, but if the video card on your PC is near to dying, expect the problem to return sooner rather than later.
  2. Fan Noise: If your fan is making more noise than usual, your computer may be overheating. Overheating can quickly damage the internals of your computer, so try idling it to see if it will quiet down. If that doesn’t work, you’ll want to get the unit looked at and cleaned out to figure out what’s causing the heat buildup.
  3. Screen freezing: Your computer’s video card may be failing – If you have an issue with your computer screen freezing, dropping frames, or stuttering frequently, it might be a sign of card failure. However, this symptom can also be caused by problems with your hard drive, RAM, or even malware infection. If you’re having other display difficulties due to video card failure, it’s probably the reason.
  4. BSODs: The functionality of your graphics card may be affected by a wide variety of things, including overheating and insufficient cooling. A GPU failure might manifest in several ways, including a frozen computer or a complete restart where your device powers off or restarts itself. It’s conceivable that an issue with your GPU is to blame if the crash or black screen occurs when you’re engaged in graphics-intensive tasks.

Having a BSOD or a graphic card issue? Our computer repair geniuses are just a phone call away!

Author:
I am a computer engineer holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, complemented by a Master's in Business Administration from University of Strathclyde, Scotland. I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant in Melbourne, Australia. With over 15 years of...