The most common GPU issues are driver crashes (40% of cases), black screens on boot (20%), artifacts during gaming (15%), low FPS (15%), and fans not spinning (10%). Each has a known-good fix: DDU + clean driver, reseat GPU + power cable, reduce OC and monitor temps, update BIOS + enable Rebar, and distinguish Zero-RPM from real fan failure.
🧹 Driver crashes
Run DDU in Safe Mode, install the latest stable driver from nvidia.com or amd.com (not Windows Update, not GeForce Experience auto-update). Disable MSI Afterburner on startup until you confirm the fresh driver is stable. Keep a known-good driver installer backup on a USB drive for fast rollback. A stable driver on a quality graphics card rarely crashes.
🖥️ Black screens on boot
Confirm the monitor is on, input is set correctly, and the display cable is plugged into the GPU rear ports, NOT the motherboard I/O. Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot with firm pressure until the retention clip locks. Reseat both power connectors on the GPU and PSU side. If black screen persists, clear CMOS by removing the coin-cell battery for 60 seconds.
Visual artifacts (colored squares, tearing, flashing textures) during gaming usually mean VRAM is failing or the card is overclocked beyond stability. Reset to stock in MSI Afterburner. If artifacts persist at stock, the card needs RMA. Contact our technical support for warranty assistance. {{/TipBox}}
📉 Low FPS
Run HWiNFO64 during a game. Check GPU utilisation (should be 95%+ in demanding titles), temperature (under 83°C), and power draw (near TBP). If GPU utilisation is low, the bottleneck is CPU or RAM. If temperatures are high, thermal throttling cuts clocks. If power draw is capped, the PSU is sagging. Each maps to a clear fix: upgrade CPU, clean cooling, or upgrade PSU.
🌬️ Fans not spinning
Most modern GPUs use Zero-RPM by default: fans stay off under 55-60°C. Run Furmark for 3 minutes: GPU should hit 65-80°C and fans should ramp up. If fans stay at 0 during Furmark, that is a real fan failure. Force a manual fan curve in MSI Afterburner (40% at 40°C, 70% at 60°C, 100% at 80°C) to test. If fans still do not spin, the card needs RMA. Quality graphics cards come with warranty for exactly this case.
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