A graphics card is a powerful and complex piece of hardware that can suddenly stop working due to multiple causes. Below are the most common causes that could lead to a graphics card suddenly stopping working:
1. Overheating:
The most common cause for a graphics card suddenly stopping working is overheating. Computers generate a lot of heat, and if your graphics card has inadequate cooling, it can overheat and cause it to stop working. Symptoms of an overheated graphics card include distorted or noisy images, lines on the screen or total blackouts. You should check the internal temperatures of your graphics card and CPU to make sure they are not exceeding their recommended temperatures.
2. Outdated Drivers:
Another common cause for a graphics card suddenly stopping working is the outdated drivers. Drivers are basically the pieces of software that helps the hardware devices like graphics card to communicate with the operating system. Therefore, if you have an outdated driver, it can cause the graphics card to become unreliable and eventually lead to it suddenly stopping working. To make sure your graphics card is up to date, you should download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
3. Power Supply Issues:
The power supply of your computer is responsible for providing the necessary electricity to power up the different components like the graphics card. Therefore, if your power supply is insufficient or is failing, then it can cause your graphics card to suddenly stop working. You should always make sure that your power supply unit is adequate for the components in your computer and that it isn’t failing or damaged.
4. Faulty Hardware:
Another common cause for a graphics card suddenly stopping working is a faulty hardware component. Graphics cards are complex and delicate pieces of hardware and if even a single component goes bad then the entire card can stop working. The best way to diagnose this issue is by running diagnostic tests and checking the components of the card.
5. Bad Contacts:
Bad contacts can also be a cause for a graphics card suddenly stopping working. This usually happens when the contact points between the card and the motherboard become dirty or corroded. This can lead to poor connections which can cause the card to be unstable and eventually stop working. To fix this issue, you can try cleaning the contacts with a soft cloth or using contact cleaner.
6. BIOS Settings:
In some cases, an incorrect BIOS settings can also be a cause of a graphics card suddenly stopping working. If the settings are not optimal for your graphics card, then it can cause it to malfunction and eventually stop working. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that your BIOS settings are appropriate for your hardware configuration.