John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
Russel Collins
It’s not just you, it happens to everyone from the most hardcore gamers to people who are perfectly happy with their integrated graphics solution in an ultrabook or desktop PC.
So what exactly can cause your GPU (graphics processing unit) to crash when running games? Let’s take a look at some common reasons why that might happen.
Why Does My Graphics Card Keep Crashing Fixes
Driver issues
If you’ve been using Windows 10 for any length of time then you know how much Microsoft has changed things up recently. The latest update brought with it major changes to DirectX which included breaking some older game drivers. If you’re still on Windows 7 or 8.x, you’ll need to make sure all your system hardware works properly before upgrading to Windows 10. Upgrading without first making sure everything works as expected may result in driver crashes during gameplay.
And obviously, make sure to update your GPU Drivers to the latest version.
Faulty RAM sticks
Faulty RAM modules have caused problems for many users since they were introduced.
This is especially true among builders who use third-party manufacturers for their RAM. Sometimes even those builders run into trouble because faulty RAM was passed off by distributors under warranty.
Run the windows memory diagnostic tool to make sure your RAM is working well without any issues.
Software bugs
While software glitches don’t necessarily lead directly to crashes, they often end up causing them indirectly. There are several ways this can happen.
For example, an outdated anti-virus program designed to protect against malware can interfere with the game performance by constantly scanning files trying to load.
Another possibility is poorly coded background processes that try to access sensitive data but aren’t allowed through proper permissions set up on the user account.
These kinds of errors can also lead to crashes if they prevent critical file functions like opening save states or loading textures from being completed normally.
So make sure to think of any recently installed programs and see if they can be the cause.
Hardware damage
Sometimes minor accidents involving damaged computer components can actually do more harm than good. A simple power outage/surge hitting the motherboard or component overheating can fry delicate electronics leading to permanent damage. Overheated GPUs are particularly susceptible to these effects which is why video cards must be kept away from heat sources and fans should always remain clean and cool.
Overheating
Overheating systems put undue stress on all parts including the cooling mechanism. As such, a sudden drop in temperature can cause cracks or chipsets to fail completely. And no matter where the problem lies, cleaning out dust bunnies from around vents is vital to keeping everything working correctly.
Bad settings
Game developers place numerous demands on your CPU and GPU depending on whether you play on a console or PC.
Most games require high resolutions whereas others demand ultra-quality rendering rates.
Some titles require higher frame rates while others want lower ones. All of these factors combined to create potential conflict within your system.
By default, both your GPU and CPU operate optimally for 3D rendering but other tasks like web browsing tend to tax less powerful processors. Meanwhile, your video card handles 2D display duties but struggles to maintain its own optimal clock speed for every task.
When operating outside of recommended parameters, your machine runs hotter which puts additional strain on internal components. Eventually, something goes wrong.
Video Card Issues
Video cards rely heavily on external inputs such as USB ports, HDMI cables, and PS/TS connectors. Unfortunately, bad connections can wreak havoc on signal integrity resulting in poor image quality or outright failure. Even tiny bits of dirt lodged inside of electrical contacts can degrade performance dramatically. On top of that, improper installation can lead to incorrect polarities which can further reduce effective output bandwidth.
Dust buildup
Dust accumulation can clog airflow channels leading to excess temperatures.
Poorly ventilated areas become hot enough to melt plastic components. Heat buildups can also negatively impact surrounding electronic devices too. This includes charging stations and batteries.
You should never leave a laptop unattended in your home for long periods of time because it makes it easy for small particles to accumulate.
Malware infections
Infections from viruses and spyware pose a constant threat throughout the day. Fortunately, most antivirus programs now automatically quarantine suspicious applications whenever they detect them. However, this doesn’t help corrupted registry entries that trigger automatic updates that occur regardless.
Viruses themselves are built to stay hidden until they spread uncontrollably across entire networks. Once they reach critical mass, nothing short of a complete reformatting can stop them.
Now that you’ve read our list of possibilities let us know below what kind of troubleshooting techniques helped you solve your particular case!
How did you fix yours? Did you ever encounter a similar problem before? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!