[Solved] – GPU Crashes But PC Stays On

When the GPU crashes but the PC continues running as it should, it signifies issues with drivers, overheating, the power supply, or hardware configuration. First, check the GPU temperature and remove any overclocking to fix this. If this helps best, follow other troubleshooting steps mentioned in the post. 

Reasons you face GPU crashes on Windows

This error can occur due to several reasons. Here we enlist the major reasons: 

• Misconfigured settings
• Overclocking
• Outdated drive
• Corrupt system files
• Hardware issues

If Software GPU crashes cause the problem, it can be fixed. However, if it is a hardware problem, you will have to contact a computer technician. 

So, let us immediately try the solutions and fix the issue.

How To Fix GPU Crashes But PC Stays On

Method 1: Check GPU Temperature

Before troubleshooting your GPU, you must check its temperature to ensure it is not too hot. If the temperature is above normal, then GPU crashes are normal. Here are the steps to check your GPU Temperature.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
Step 2: Click on the Performance tab in the left panel.
Step 3: Now click on GPU, and all the information related to your GPU will appear, including the temperature.

GPU temperatures can vary depending on the manufacturer and model. Under normal usage, they should range from 65 to 85°C (149° to 185°F). If the GPU temperature exceeds 85°C (185°F), it indicates increased GPU temperature and potential damage. Therefore, measures to lower the temperature, like installing a more powerful fan or upgrading to a more efficient cooling system, are suggested. 

Method 2: Do Not OverClock Your GPU

If you’re overclocking GPU, discontinue this practice, as it is another reason for GPU crashes. Overclocking can boost your PC’s performance during gaming, but it can also lead to instability, overheating, and potential damage to your PC components. Also, it increases power consumption from your power supply unit and generates more heat, resulting in crashes, freezes, or even permanent hardware failures.

If your GPU isn’t overclocked but continues to crash while your PC remains operational, please proceed to other troubleshooting solutions below.

Method 3: Fix Corrupted System Files

The next method to fix GPU crashes is to fix the corrupted system files. For this, you will have to use two tools – System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “cmd” > press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt in admin mode.
Step 3: Click “Yes” on the User Account Control prompt box.
Step 4: Copy and Paste sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
Step 5: After the process completes, type the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

Step 6: Wait for this process to fix the system files and reboot your PC.

Method 4: Update Drivers

Graphics card drivers should be updated to improve gaming performance and avoid display issues. Drivers help establish communication between your PC’s software and hardware, so you face several issues when they are missing or outdated. 

You can update drivers in three different ways. Two of these are manual, requiring technical knowledge, time, and patience. On the contrary, the third method is automatic, as the drivers will be updated using a driver updating tool that doesn’t require any information. It scans the PC for outdated drivers and shows compatible updates, giving the user the control to update or not. 

Use OEM Websites

Every hardware manufacturer maintains a website where you can find the latest drivers for their products. It’s essential to identify the make and model of your graphics card, locate the most compatible driver, and proceed to download and install it on your PC. Here are the links for the most common graphics card manufacturer websites.

NVIDIA

AMD

INTEL 

Use Device Manager

The Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that allows updating drivers. It checks the Microsoft servers for the updates and installs the updates for drivers available from the Microsoft server. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN Box.
Step 2: Type “Devmgmt.msc: in the text box and press the OK button.

Step 3: Next, in the new window, click on Display Adapters to reveal the graphics card on your PC.

Step 4: Right-click on the graphics card and choose Update Drivers option.

Step 5: Select the “Search Automatically for drivers” option and follow the steps.

Use Third-party Driver Updater App

Advanced Driver Updater is an excellent application that scans your PC to detect missing, corrupted, and outdated drivers and then updates them with the latest and compatible versions. Here are the steps to utilize this application:

Step 1: Download/Install the app using the Download button below.

Step 2: Open the app and click the Start Scan Now button to scan your system for outdated drivers.

Step 3: Once the list of driver issues is displayed, look for your graphics card and click the Update link next to it.

Step 4: The app will now install the best compatible driver for your graphics card.
Step 5: Restart your PC after the process completes.

Method 5: Update Direct X

DirectX comprises a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) created by Microsoft to manage multimedia tasks, particularly for gaming and video applications on Windows platforms. To resolve this issue, verify your DirectX version and update it if necessary.

Here are the steps to check the installed DirectX version on your PC.

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2:Type dxdiag in the text space and click on the OK button.

Step 3: A new box will open. Check the Direct X Version. At the time of writing the blog, it was Direct X 12. If you have a lower version, you need to update it.

To download Direct X 12, click on the link.

Method 6: Change Your Power Supply

An insufficient power supply to your GPU or a faulty power supply unit can lead to issues such as GPU crashes. Your computer will still function correctly under normal conditions, but when some programs or games require more power from the PSU, it may fail to meet these requirements, resulting in crashes. You can take your PC to a service center and have the power supply checked or replaced.

Method 7: Purchase A New GPU

If you have tried all the solutions mentioned above and the issue persists, you may consider reinstalling drivers, checking your internet, reconfiguring graphics card software, updating your OS, disabling background apps, & checking RAM usage, and replacing your GPU.

Your current GPU may not be compatible or functioning optimally with your computer. If you’re uncertain which GPU would suit your needs, websites like Tom’s Hardware and Quora often provide helpful recommendations and options to consider.

Read Also: 5 Effective Practices to Increase GPU Lifespan

Have You Fixed The GPU Crashes But the PC Stays On Error?

We hope that you are now an expert on resolving GPU errors. If the issue persists, you could take your PC to a computer technician nearby to fix hardware issues. We would love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below, along with how you fixed the problem.