Your graphics card (GPU) is one of the most important — and expensive — components in your PC. It’s responsible for everything from smooth gaming to rendering visuals, and when it starts to fail, the signs can be subtle… or dramatic.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify signs of GPU failure, how to test your graphics card, and what to do if it’s faulty — before it causes bigger problems.
1. Why Graphics Cards Fail
GPUs can fail for various reasons, including:
- Overheating or poor ventilation
- Overclocking instability
- Power surges or PSU issues
- Aging components (VRAM, capacitors)
- Driver conflicts or firmware bugs
- Manufacturing defects
Even high-end GPUs can develop problems, especially under heavy use or poor airflow.
2. Early Warning Signs Your GPU Might Be Failing
Common Symptoms:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Artifacts | Weird lines, flickering shapes, or checkerboards on screen |
| Screen tearing | Unusual tearing, even with V-Sync or G-SYNC on |
| Black screens | Display suddenly goes black during games |
| Stuttering or lag | Sudden FPS drops, even in older games |
| Fan failure | GPU fans stop spinning or make strange noises |
| Crashes / Freezes | System crashes when launching GPU-heavy tasks |
| Driver errors | Frequent crashes or failed driver updates |
| Blue or black screen on boot | Especially when switching to the GPU display output |
These signs can be random at first — but consistency = concern.
3. How to Monitor GPU Health
Use reliable software to check performance and temperatures:
Monitoring Tools:
- MSI Afterburner – temperature, fan speed, usage
- HWMonitor / HWiNFO64 – detailed stats and logs
- GPU-Z – real-time metrics
- Windows Reliability Monitor – crash history
- Event Viewer – log GPU driver crashes (e.g., “Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding…”)
Check idle temps (<50°C) and load temps (<85°C) for overheating issues.
4. Run Stress Tests to Confirm GPU Issues
Reliable Stress Tests:
- 3DMark (Time Spy, Fire Strike)
- Unigine Heaven / Superposition
- FurMark (extreme, use cautiously)
- OCCT GPU test
- In-game benchmarks (Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon)
Watch for:
- Artifacts or crashes under load
- GPU clock drops or thermal throttling
- Sudden black screen or shutdowns
If your GPU crashes reliably during stress tests, that’s a strong indicator of a failing card.
5. Rule Out Other Components First
Test for These:
- Monitor: try another screen or cable
- PSU: insufficient or unstable power delivery
- RAM: unstable memory can mimic GPU issues
- Driver conflicts: DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) and clean install
Swapping in a known working GPU is the best way to isolate the issue.
6. Check GPU Physically for Damage
Power down your PC and remove the card. Inspect:
- Burn marks or discoloration
- Swollen or leaking capacitors
- Fan blade damage or non-functioning fans
- Dust buildup in heatsink/fan
Gently clean dust with compressed air — overheating can be caused by dirt.
7. Try Underclocking or Undervolting
If your GPU is unstable:
- Use MSI Afterburner to reduce clock speed
- Set a custom fan curve for better cooling
- Use undervolting to reduce thermal stress and power draw
A failing GPU may become temporarily stable underclocked — a sign it’s degrading.
8. BIOS and Driver Fixes (Sometimes It’s Software)
Before declaring the GPU dead, try:
- Clean installing GPU drivers using DDU
- Updating your motherboard BIOS
- Disabling PCIe Gen 4/5 in BIOS (some boards have compatibility issues)
- Installing older driver versions if the latest one causes crashes
Not all problems are hardware — try these before assuming failure.
9. When to RMA or Replace Your GPU
Replace or RMA If:
- Visual artifacts appear consistently
- System crashes every time GPU is under load
- Fan is dead and temps exceed 90°C+
- Card fails in multiple PCs or with multiple drivers
- Still under warranty (2–3 years for most brands)
Brands like ASUS, Gigabyte, EVGA, MSI, and Sapphire offer solid RMA policies — check the serial number and receipt.
10. Final Checklist: Is Your GPU Dying?
Frequent visual artifacts (glitches, flickering, checkerboards) Black screens under load or on boot Crashes or shutdowns during gaming/stress tests High idle temps or fan not spinning Same issues across different games and driver versions Reproduced on another system (if available)
Bottom Line:
If your GPU shows persistent issues — especially artifacts, crashes, or high heat — it may be failing. Use stress tests, monitor temps, and rule out other components first. If confirmed, act fast before warranty expires, or plan for a replacement with future builds in mind.