There are a variety of reasons why a graphics card may not be detected by the system. These can range from a problem with the physical connections to a software support issue or a hardware fault. Please see the following checklist to determine the potential cause of this issue and the most likely solutions.
1. Verify the Installation and Connections: The most likely cause of your graphics card not being detected by the system is an improper installation or connection. To ensure that your graphics card is properly installed and connected, please check the following:
• Verify that the graphics card is properly placed in the PCIe slot. Make sure the clips are locked in place and the card is securely connected to the motherboard.
• Verify that the power sockets for the graphics card are correctly connected to your power supply.
• If you have multiple GPUs, verify that they are properly connected and configured if they are not being detected.
• Ensure that all monitor cables are connected to the appropriate ports on the graphics card.
2. Troubleshooting Windows Drivers: If the physical setup is correct, but the card still isn’t being detected, there may be a driver issue. Try these steps to troubleshoot this problem:
• Delete any existing drivers you have installed related to the graphics card and reboot the system. This will force Windows to detect and reinstall the drivers.
• If this doesn’t work, try downloading and installing the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
• If the issue persists, try using the Windows Device Manager. Look for any devices related to the graphics card, right-click and choose “Update Driver Software”, then follow the prompts.
3. Hardware Issues: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, there may be a hardware issue with either the graphics card or the system. It is important to rule these out as a possible cause before replacing the card.
• Check for any bulging capacitors on the motherboard. If any are found, replace them with new ones.
• Try a different PCIe slot or use a different graphics card to ensure that the slot is functioning properly.
• Check the graphics card itself by removing it and inspecting it for any signs of physical damage. If any are found, the card will need to be replaced.
• Run a complete diagnostic on the system to test the system components. This will help identify any potential issues with the motherboard or other system components that could be preventing the graphics card from being detected.
4. BIOS Settings: If all of the above steps have been completed and the graphics card is still not being detected, there may be an issue with the BIOS settings. It is important to ensure that the BIOS is properly configured for the graphics card. Some of the settings that you will need to check are as follows:
• Integrated Graphics/Dedicated GPU setting – This should be set to the correct option for your system (Integrated = onboard graphics, Dedicated = dedicated graphics card).
• Onboard Graphics Memory Size – This should be set to the correct amount of memory for your system.
• Onboard Graphics Options – This should be set to the correct settings for your system.
• Primary Video Card – This should be set to the dedicated GPU if you are using a discrete GPU.
After completing these steps, save and exit the BIOS, then boot back into Windows and see if the graphics card is now detected.
If all of these steps have been completed and the graphics card is still not detected, the card may be faulty and will need to be replaced.