Be it the internal or external GPU – the problem of compatibility and proper installation stands. If you are planning to modify your PC for your favorite game with the new graphics card, chances are you may encounter a few common problems. The most frequent of those issues are – graphics card not detected. The demand for GPUs saw a sharp rise because of the pandemic last year. NVIDIA and AMD -the two big players in the GPU industry- are struggling to meet the demand. It means more and more people are going to encounter the issue of – graphics cards not detected. But the good news is; these problems are fixable. This article will explore some practical solutions to these glitches so that you can enjoy your gaming experience non-stop.
Graphics Card Not Detected? – The Causes
If you are scratching your head with why your latest graphics card is not working – then you are not alone. There are several reasons behind graphics cards not being detected. Some of these problems involve software, while other times, it is because of the hardware. No matter what operating system you are using – maybe the piece of code that is responsible for running the GPUs is not working properly. OR the graphics card itself is damaged. Sometimes the compatibility also affects the full functionality of these cards. Even if there isn’t any problem with both hardware and the software, chances are there might be power supply issues.
How To Fix Graphics Card Not Detected – (Solutions & Tips)
There are a few symptoms of faulty GPU you should watch out for. The underperformance of games, loud fan noise, and abnormal screen colors are a few signs of graphics card problems. Getting back to the actual question – what if my GPU is not detected? With little patience and expert advice, you can easily fix this issue. A few of the most common problems with easy solutions are as follow.
#1- Put The Old Card Back
Some of the older graphics cards are like gold. They have preserved their performance value this whole time. It is better to brush up on the old GPUs and go with them. Moreover, due to chip shortage in the post-pandemic market, the prices of graphics cards have gone outrageous. If you like to spend most of your time on one game, the better option is to optimize your old graphics card for that application. Plus, a little tweak in the driver setting can also enhance the performance of your old card. However, this old graphics card of yours needs to be a trusted piece of hardware. It would then be used to figure out if the problem is with your new graphics card or the pc.
#2- Enable The Graphics Card
It may sound a little naive to mention this tip – but it works. Many laptops have built-in features that disable the GPU automatically when you unplug the charger. And that is for a reason – to preserve your battery life. To make sure that your GPU is always detected, enable it every time you use it. The most common place to start with is the device manager. If you are not able to find your GPU there, then enable it from the BIOS. What to do if your NVIDIA graphics card is not detected? Go to the NVIDIA control panel. Under the settings section, click on Manage 3D Settings. Then navigate through it and select a High-performance NVIDIA processor. Some laptops have graphics card specific software installed on them that allows you to enable your card with just one click.
#3- Discrete GPU Is Enabled In BIOS
Unlike integrated GPUs, discrete graphic GPU is separate from the processer in PC. Mostly found in desktop computers, discrete graphics cards have dedicated memory -not shared with the rest of the system. It enables high performance and heat at the same time. To enable discrete GPUs from the BIOS, you have to go to the BIOS setting. Press the F10 button when the window starts loading. Click the Advance option and go to Built-in advance options. From here, select graphics and then choose Discrete Graphics. Press save and exit BIOS setting. Accessing BIOS varies from laptop to laptop, therefore have a look at your computer’s manual to know where to access its BIOS settings from. What if you still face a graphics card not detected issue? For specific brands of GPUs – like NVIDIA – enabling discrete GPU is even more simple. You can adjust it from the NVIDIA control panel without going to the BIOS setting. Due to built-in settings, gamers have to enable the discrete GPU quite often – as it is a little price you have to pay to enjoy your favorite game. More guides: How To Fix GPU Fans Not Spinning? – (Updated 2023)How To Fix “Unable To Connect To Nvidia”Solved: NVIDIA Display Settings Are Not Available
#4- Using Command Prompt
Using command prompt for small tasks is a common thing among computer nerds. Since it is a fast way to communicate with your machine without even touching your mouse. If you are wondering why my graphics are not detected – let’s use a command prompt on your computer to find out. NIVIDA users always complain that they can’t find the device in their device manager. Go to the start menu and open the command prompt. Run the following command – bcdedit /set pciexpress forcedisable. Now close the command prompt and re-install your driver. This way, you can solve the problem of GPU not being detected. Make sure you open your cmd prompt as administrator. Sometimes the issue can go beyond that. You can try some of the other tips & tricks mentioned in this article. Even AMD graphics cards user can use similar tips to get rid of the not-detection issue.
#5- Enable Load All Device Drivers And Services At The Startup
Some people use their PC for multiple purposes at the same time. For example, if they are working in a company that requires private servers set up on the laptops. Maybe you are training an AI model or deep learning model- chances are you will prefer some particular service while quitting others in booting time. It all comes down to System Configuration tools on your operating system. For Windows, you can use the system configuration window to choose which driver and services should be activated during the boot. For GPU not detected problem, enable load all the devices and services while starting up your PC. The good news is that most OS enable all the services by default at the start. You can select Normal Startup from your configuration panel. After doing so, go back and check the devices. Look for your specific graphics card and enable it.
#6- Install The Latest Nvidia Drivers Manually
The latest Window OS (or any other OS) is good at fetching the exact driver for your device. But there are some exceptions to these services. Graphics cards are especially troublesome when it comes to their installation. For that, you have to work a little harder and install it from the producer’s website. Start with the device manager, as it is always wise to go for the safe option. Go to device manager and click on GPU. From there, you can update your drivers. If the time is on your side, chances are the windows will find the right driver. If your ‘NVIDIA graphics card not detected’ problem persists, now is the time to fix it the manual way. Visit the official website and navigate through Game Ready Driver. Search for your specific GPU model and download the .exe file. Run the .exe file and restart the PC. Now go back and check your graphics card – make sure it is enabled.
#7- Check Power Connection
GPUs are the most power-hungry part of a computing system. Bitcoin mining companies prefer colder countries to save the cost of ventilation. Just like those mining rigs, gaming rigs need a constant power supply as well. Graphics card power cable comes with different PINs. There are 6-pin, 8-pin, and 12-pin power cables. Make sure the pins remain intact. A loose power connection leads to glitches. In some cases, it reduces the life of the graphics card. And above all, if the wire connections are not stable, your GPU will not be detected by the computer. It is a good practice to regularly check the power connection of your graphics card to avoid GPU not detected issues.
#8- Check Graphics Card Slot
The issues of graphics card not detected can be tricky sometimes. Let’s say the GPU works fine on another system. All the drivers and other pieces of software are also working fine. So what should you do about it? Now is the time to check the slots on the motherboard. Graphics card slots may get faulty due to over-heating. Frequent insertion and ejection may also damage the slots. Check for other card slots on the board and insert them there. You should keep a good eye on the unusual suspect – which is a graphics card slot in this case.
#9- Check Power Supply
Constant power supply for gaming rigs is important. Fluctuating power can put pressure on the power supply unit. Sometimes this results in a faulty power supply – which causes the GPU not detected issue. Since GPUs use more power than other computer components, the chances of the power supply unit getting damaged are high. You can swap the power supply and check if it is working on other PCs. That’s why GPU experts suggest power testing before using any graphics card. You can perform such a test on your own without any expert.
#10- Check Display Cable
Display cables might seem like they’re not an important part of all this architecture – but they are like expressways for delivering data to the screen. When you encounter an issue of graphics card not detected, check display cables. A quality video cable can make all the difference. Display cables are prone to bending and stretching, which disturbs the input supply. Buying a new one can solve the problem. Identifying the best cable for your PC is quite important, given that all products don’t follow the same standard. Make sure you buy 1 or 2 extra for later use.
#11- Try The Card In Another Computer
It is hard to know everything about your computer. Even an administrator or IT support guy can miss out on a few details. In case of a graphics card problem, chances are that something might be missing on your PC. Therefore, before you toss it out of the window, why not try it on another computer. Borrow a PC from your friend and install your GPU In it. When it is detectable on another system, then nothing is wrong with the card itself. It is possible that it will work on your computer as well – if we find out what is blocking it. Sometimes slots are not properly in contact with the device. Be patient and try it one more time on your computer. Try to find what the real problem is. And when you to get the bottom of it, you can manage to fix it.
#12- Show Hidden Devices
Imagine you hired a productive member for your team but forgot to introduce them to the rest of the crew. What happens next is that they are not going to engage with them. The same is the case with computer hardware. You need to make sure it is visible, so it could be detected and used. For the system to make use of all the available computer resources, it needs to be visible. If your GPU is not detected – go to the settings and remove it from the hidden devices. You can do that by going to the Device Manager and clicking on the view option. Select your desired device and make it visible. Prior to Windows 8, it was a common practice to include non-representative devices by creating a new variable. That option is available under the advanced settings. Go to the Advanced Setting and find the button – Environmental Variables and add a new one.
#13- Update Your BIOS
Updating the current BIOS version can be tricky. It is often suggested to take the help of an IT support guy. As incorrect installation can break your PC for the worse. When your graphics card is not detected by your PC, it is time to update the BIOS. First, you must find out the current version of your BIOS. Press Control + R and type msinfo32 in the Run window. A system information window will pop up. Look out for the BIOS version. Once you have the information about the latest version – go to the manufacturer’s official website. Search for the motherboard model and download the file. The file is usually in ZIP format. There you will find different BIOS flash files. Choose the right one for your PC and run it. It is observed that by currently updating the BIOS, the problem of GPU not detected disappears. Once you have updated your BIOS, please restart your computer and checkout your graphics card setting. With built-in GPUs or discrete graphics cards, the issue of detection is not that common. The reason is clear – they are built with entire architecture in mind. By cutting edge engineering, the producers come up with the perfect combination. But third-party hardware is another story. You have to make sure you follow all the standards correctly. It is like infiltrating a closed group of boys in the college. BIOS setting is an important part of installing new hardware on your system. But that doesn’t mean the problem can only be solved through configuration. GPU not detected problem goes deeper than that. You have to give close attention to all the little details, from cables to slots. With this, you can eliminate all the issues with your GPUs.
#1 – Why is my graphics card not being detected?
One of the most common hurdles in GPUs is an outdated driver. If you want to install a new graphics card, make sure you install the drivers manually. Other issues may include damaged devices, incorrect BIOS settings, hidden device options, etc. From the device manager, you can easily find out if your graphics card is working or not.
#2 – How do I force my graphics card to detect?
Start your PC by enabling all the devices and services available. This way system will detect any peripheral hardware easily. Make sure to enable graphics cards from your setting. Regularly update your operating system and make sure your graphics card is compatible with the rest of the architecture.
#3 – Can a stolen GPU be tracked?
Every GPU device has its ID like that of the MAC address for your PC. But the problem is – even if you find out the serial number of your card, you can do nothing about it. First, the IP address must be legally obtained. You can request camera footage from the administration. Once you have identified the suspect, then you can dig into their computer to find out more.
#4 – Can a GPU be repaired?
GPUs are specialized circuits made with high-tech precision engineering. It is not possible to replace a faulty part of a graphics card with just soldering. Even if you manage to repair it– with the touch of magic – it will still not work that properly. It’s better that you buy a new one.
#5 – How do I know if my GPU is detected in BIOS?
Once you enter your BIOS setting, go to the on-board device section. There you can enable and disable the GPUs. Now restart your computer and find it in the device manager setting.
