Gpu Not Being Utilized After Nvidia Drivers Update – Quick Solutions!
If your GPU isn’t utilized after an NVIDIA driver update, it could be due to installation issues, power settings, or software conflicts. Try reinstalling drivers.
In this article, we will explore why your GPU might not be fully utilized after a driver update, common causes of this problem, and how to fix it step by step.
What Does It Mean When Your GPU Is Not Being Utilized?
When your GPU is not being utilized, it means your graphics card isn’t doing the work it’s designed for. In graphics-intensive tasks like gaming or 3D rendering, the GPU should be handling the majority of the processing. If it’s underutilized, the CPU may take over, causing slower performance, lag, and lower frame rates. This leads to a poor visual experience and can negatively impact overall system performance in demanding applications.
Common Reasons Why Your GPU Is Not Being Utilized After an NVIDIA Driver Update:
There are several factors that could lead to this issue after an NVIDIA driver update. Let’s explore the most common causes:
Driver Installation Issues:
One of the most common reasons for GPU underutilization after a driver update is improper installation. Sometimes, the installation process may not complete correctly, leaving the system with a corrupted or outdated driver.
How to Fix It:
- Reinstall the NVIDIA Drivers: Go to the NVIDIA website and download the latest driver for your GPU model. During installation, select the Custom option and check the box for Clean Installation. This will remove any older or corrupted files and ensure a fresh installation.
NVIDIA Control Panel Settings:
Another reason your GPU might not be utilized properly is that the settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel could be misconfigured. This could prevent your GPU from being used for certain tasks like gaming or video rendering.
How to Fix It:
- Open NVIDIA Control Panel: Right-click on the desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
- Set Preferred GPU: Go to Manage 3D Settings and select your preferred GPU for the programs you are using. If you have both an integrated GPU (iGPU) and a dedicated NVIDIA GPU, make sure the system is set to use the dedicated GPU for high-performance tasks.
- Adjust Power Management Mode: In the Global Settings tab, make sure the Power Management Mode is set to Prefer Maximum Performance for applications like games.
Integrated Graphics Taking Over:
Many laptops and PCs come with both an integrated GPU (such as Intel HD Graphics) and a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. After a driver update, the system might default to using the integrated GPU instead of the more powerful NVIDIA card, especially for less demanding tasks.
How to Fix It:
- Disable Integrated GPU: Go to your system’s Device Manager, find the integrated graphics under Display Adapters, and disable it. This forces the system to use the NVIDIA GPU exclusively.
- Set Default GPU in BIOS/UEFI: Some systems allow you to specify the default GPU in the BIOS or UEFI settings. Check your computer’s manual for instructions on how to do this.
Also read: Gpu Memory And Core Jump To Max When Idle – A Complete Guide!
Windows Power Settings:
Windows power settings can also impact how your GPU is utilized. If your system is set to Power Saver mode, it may limit GPU performance to save energy, which can lead to underutilization of your graphics card.
How to Fix It:
- Change Power Plan: Go to Control Panel > Power Options and select High Performance or Balanced mode. This will ensure your GPU runs at higher performance when required.
- NVIDIA Settings for Power: In the NVIDIA Control Panel, under Manage 3D Settings, make sure the Power Management Mode is set to Prefer Maximum Performance.
GPU-Specific Software Conflicts:
Some third-party software, such as system optimizers or GPU monitoring tools, may conflict with NVIDIA drivers and prevent the GPU from being properly utilized.
How to Fix It:
- Uninstall Conflicting Software: If you suspect a conflict with third-party software, try uninstalling it and see if the problem is resolved. Tools like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1 can sometimes interfere with NVIDIA drivers.
- Disable Overlay Features: Some software like Steam, Discord, or GeForce Experience use an overlay for screen recording, live streaming, and performance monitoring. Disable these features temporarily to check if they are causing issues.
Faulty or Incompatible Drivers:
Even after updating your drivers, sometimes a bug in the new version or an incompatibility with your system’s hardware can cause GPU underutilization. NVIDIA frequently releases driver updates, but not all of them are perfect.
How to Fix It:
- Roll Back Drivers: If the issue started after a specific update, you can roll back to the previous version of the driver. To do this, go to Device Manager > Display Adapters > right-click on your NVIDIA GPU > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver.
- Use Older Drivers: If rolling back doesn’t work, you can manually download and install older driver versions from the NVIDIA driver archive.
Windows Updates and Compatibility:
Windows updates can sometimes interfere with NVIDIA drivers, causing compatibility issues. After a major update, you might find that your GPU is not being utilized fully.
How to Fix It:
- Check for Additional Updates: After updating Windows, check for additional updates that may address compatibility issues with your GPU.
- Reinstall Windows Updates: If an update caused the issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling it to resolve the compatibility problem.
Why is my NVIDIA GPU not working after the update?
If your NVIDIA GPU isn’t working after an update, several factors could be causing the issue. Common causes include driver conflicts, a corrupted update installation, or new power settings limiting GPU performance. Additionally, Windows updates might be incompatible with the latest GPU drivers. To resolve this, try reinstalling the drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) or roll back to a previous version of the drivers to restore functionality.
How to Check If Your GPU Is Being Fully Utilized:
Before making any changes, it’s important to check if your GPU is actually being underutilized. Here’s how you can do that:
Use Task Manager (Windows):
To check GPU utilization in Windows, right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. Go to the Performance tab and choose GPU from the left side. This will show real-time GPU usage. If the utilization is consistently low (below 50%) during tasks like gaming or running intensive apps, it indicates that the GPU is not being fully utilized and might need adjustment.
Also read: How Good Is 30c Gpu Temp On Idle – A Complete Guide!
Use MSI Afterburner or GPU-Z:
For more detailed GPU performance monitoring, use third-party tools like MSI Afterburner or GPU-Z. These applications provide granular insights into GPU performance, core usage, and memory utilization. They allow you to track how your GPU is being used during intensive tasks like gaming or rendering, offering more advanced data and helping you identify underutilization or potential bottlenecks that affect performance.
How to Prevent GPU Underutilization in the Future:
Always Keep Your Drivers Updated:
To prevent GPU underutilization, regularly update your drivers. While new updates may seem problematic, they often fix bugs and improve performance. Always use official channels like GeForce Experience or NVIDIA’s website for updates. Keeping drivers up to date ensures compatibility with the latest software and optimizes GPU performance, helping avoid issues like underutilization that can arise from outdated or incompatible drivers.
Monitor Your System’s Health:
Use monitoring tools like HWMonitor or Task Manager to keep an eye on system performance. These tools help you track GPU usage, temperature, and overall system health. Regular monitoring allows you to spot irregularities or potential issues early, preventing underutilization or system instability. By keeping track of your GPU’s performance, you can make adjustments before problems like overheating or throttling occur.
Avoid Overclocking Unless You’re Experienced:
Overclocking can boost performance but may also cause instability and improper GPU utilization. If you’re inexperienced, it’s best to avoid overclocking until you’re more familiar with your hardware. Overclocking can lead to thermal throttling or power limits, which can limit GPU performance. Stick with the default settings until you understand how your GPU behaves under load and are confident in tuning it safely.
FAQ’S
1. Why is my NVIDIA GPU not working after the update?
The issue could be due to corrupted drivers, power settings limiting performance, or conflicts with integrated graphics. Reinstalling drivers or rolling back to a previous version may help fix the problem.
2. How can I check if my GPU is being fully utilized?
You can check GPU usage through Task Manager under the “Performance” tab, or use tools like MSI Afterburner or GPU-Z for more detailed monitoring.
3. How do I fix GPU underutilization after an NVIDIA driver update?
Reinstall the NVIDIA drivers with a clean installation, ensure the correct GPU is selected in the NVIDIA Control Panel, and adjust power settings to “Maximum Performance.”
4. Can Windows power settings affect GPU utilization?
Yes, if your system is set to “Power Saver” mode, it can limit GPU performance. Switch to “High Performance” or “Balanced” mode to improve GPU utilization.
5. What if my GPU is still underperforming after updating drivers?
If the issue persists, try disabling integrated graphics, updating Windows, or using older driver versions to restore full GPU utilization.
6. How do I prevent GPU underutilization in the future?
Keep your drivers updated, monitor system performance with tools like HWMonitor, and avoid overclocking unless you’re experienced.
7. How can I set the preferred GPU in the NVIDIA Control Panel?
Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to “Manage 3D Settings,” and select your preferred GPU for specific programs or tasks.
8. Can third-party software cause GPU underutilization?
Yes, some system optimizers or GPU monitoring tools may conflict with NVIDIA drivers. Try uninstalling them or disabling overlay features to fix the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your GPU is not being utilized after an NVIDIA driver update, it may be due to improper driver installation, power settings, or software conflicts. Solutions like reinstalling drivers, adjusting settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel, and disabling integrated graphics can help resolve the issue. Regularly updating drivers and monitoring system performance can prevent underutilization in the future.
