Graphics cards are essential components of a computer that serves the purpose of rendering the images for smoothly displaying them in the monitor. Users running graphical rich applications like games or 3D modeling and rendering utilize a graphics card to ensure the smooth performance of images on the display. Modern graphics cards have their own processing unit, memory, and even a cooling system, thus making it a secondary system inside the computer. However, at times issues with the graphics cards can affect the normal functioning of the computer particular the display.
Being extra components, graphics card can sometimes fail without notice, thus making it impossible for the computer to process the visual information and transfer it to the monitor. The following are some common symptoms of a faulty graphics card and ways to fix them.
Crashes and Artifacting
A faulty graphics card can result in the computer to experience occasional crashes. Mostly the crashes will cause a blue screen or just powers off and restart randomly. The visuals may also appear fuzzy and garbled if the graphics card onboard the computer is having any issues. It can result in the appearance of grains, improper color rendering etc.
Fixing the issue involve removing the graphics card from the slot, dusting the slot, and placing it back again. This will ensure that the proper contacts are maintained between the motherboard and the card. Check whether the video cable is properly plugged in as a loosened one can cause visual artifacts.
Loud Fan Buzz
Loud fans buzz from the graphics card, especially when running graphical rich applications or even during normal operations, is a symptom of a faulty graphics card. This indicates that the graphics card is generating large amounts of heat due to the huge amount of processing going on inside. In this case, the card will direct the fans to run at full speed to disperse the heat and thus restore the GPU to its normal operating temperature.
Dusting the card using compressed air is one way to remove any dust buildup, thus preventing the retention of heat. Applying a fresh coat of thermal compound between the heat sink and the top of the processor will also help in dissipating the heat quickly.
Driver Crashes
The drivers running the graphics card can crash at times that will result in the screen to go blank for a while. When this occurs, a ‘video driver crashed’ error message appears on the display that will require the system to be restarted. Updating the drivers to the latest drivers is one way to prevent driver crashes.
You can go the website of their respective graphics card manufacturer to download the latest drivers. Moreover, fully removing the drivers and installing a fresh copy will also resolve many errors and crashes related to the graphics card drivers.