Objectively, a video card is a very important component of any computer. And it doesn’t matter if this is a powerful gaming PC, or an ordinary computer focused mainly on working with office programs.
The video card is constantly in operation, takes on solid loads, which can cause a failure or malfunction from time to time.
Most often, PC users are faced with the fact that the machine does not see the video card, does not display it in the device manager. This instantly affects the graphics. Accordingly, it makes no sense to even think about launching games.
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Common malfunctions
There are relatively few potential reasons why computers cannot see graphics cards. Moreover, many of them can be solved on their own. Although in some cases it will be more correct to seek qualified assistance at the service center.
Faced with the fact that the computer does not see the video card and does not display it in the device manager, the user will not be able to fully work with the PC. After all, the video card is responsible for the graphics, for the ability to display the contents of the screen in good quality. Yes, a computer without a video card will continue to work. But hardly anyone will be able to fully continue their daily activities on a PC when the graphics card is not performing its functions.
All measures presented in the framework of these instructions will be relevant for desktop PCs, as well as for laptops that are equipped with an external, that is, a discrete video card. For integrated cards, in the case of some laptops, completely different actions and recommendations are provided.
It is important to note that it is not fundamentally important whether it is NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon. The fact is, the computer cannot see the graphics card. The brand and model do not play a role in this.
The main reasons why the computer does not see the video card, and on a Windows 10 PC on board it is not visible in the device manager lists, are related to:
- incorrect connection;
- motherboard;
- problems in the OS;
- graphics drivers;
- viruses;
- BIOS;
- breakdown of the device;
- food.
Plus, recommendations will be separately presented in case it is an integrated graphics card.
Now, specifically about what to do if the computer for one reason or another does not see your video card, and the normal operation of the PC becomes almost impossible.
Connection problems
Noticing that the computer does not see this or that video card, be it NVIDIA products or AMD Radeon series, you should take the appropriate action. You shouldn’t blame the graphics adapter for everything right away. If the computer does not see the video card, it is possible that it was simply connected incorrectly.
The ports can be confused. For example, the slot is similar to PCIEx16, but in reality it will be PCIEx4.
As you understand, it is a discrete video card that can be connected and disconnected. And if for some reason your computer does not see it, then start by checking if the connection is correct.
If there is a suspicion that the video adapter has recently been removed from its socket, or it could have jumped out of there, then it is necessary:
- completely de-energize the computer system unit;
- remove the side cover;
- check the fastening of the card in the motherboard connector;
- remove the adapter, blow out the socket;
- insert into place;
- close the side cover and turn on the power.
If the manipulations carried out did not give any result, then this is not the reason. We need to move on.
Motherboard
There is nothing pleasant in the fact that the video card is not detected by your computer in any way. This indicates certain problems. But it is difficult to say which ones, without checking and at least superficial diagnostics.
One potential culprit could be the motherboard itself. That is, the basis of the computer on which all the components are held.
It would seem that the cooler is spinning, everything should work in theory, but for some reason this does not happen.
On the motherboard side, there are several possible reasons:
- Damage to the motherboard itself. This rarely happens, but still this option cannot be ruled out. It is necessary to remove the side cover and carefully examine the condition for cracks, traces of burning boards, etc. But it is difficult to determine such a malfunction yourself.
- Connector malfunctions. Or the slot for connecting a video card is broken or out of order. Again, the user can only visually inspect it. You can check for operability in 2 ways. Take it to a service center, or connect another, obviously working video card.
- Conflict between video card and motherboard. It’s worth taking a look at how old your motherboard is and how fresh your graphics card is. The point is that outdated boards will not be able to work with new video cards. This rule also works in reverse.
Considering these possible problems, their elimination can be elementary simple, or else require the intervention of specialists.
Operating system crash
One of the simplest and most common reasons. It consists in the fact that the operating system shut down incorrectly, or did not boot correctly. As a result, it may not see or perceive the video card.
The first thing to do in such a situation is to restart your computer. In most cases, such a measure helps a lot.
Additionally, it is recommended to run a scan of system files to detect broken and damaged ones. It is possible that the problem appeared because of them. For this you need:
- enter “Run” in the search bar;
- open a command line application;
- in a new window, register the sfc / scannow command;
- click on OK;
- wait for the completion of the scanning procedure;
- to restart a computer.
But it also happens that after reinstalling Windows, or after the next received updates, the computer does not see the video card.
This is already directly related to system errors. Here, the most correct solution would be to reinstall Windows.
If a failure occurs after installing the next updates, you can try to roll back the system to a previous version. This is also an effective and often effective solution to the problem.
Drivers
It cannot be ruled out that ordinary drivers have become the cause of the problems with the graphics adapter, which the computer simply does not detect.
Most often, this happens if the drivers have not been updated for a long time, and they have become trite out of date for a long period of computer service. Or they may not exist at all.
For such situations, the following instruction will help:
- through the search bar of the computer, enter the query “Device Manager”;
- run the corresponding application;
- go to the “Video adapters” tab;
- find your graphics adapter in this list;
- see if there are question marks or exclamation marks opposite it;
- right-click on the name of the video card;
- select the “Remove device” option in the context menu;
- now send your computer to reboot.
Then the system will start. It can automatically detect the connected device in the form of a graphics adapter, and start searching for drivers for new hardware.
If this did not happen, then open the official website of the manufacturer of your video card. Find the drivers by model and series that suit your video card.
These files must be saved on your computer and installed. Upon completion of the installation, you just need to restart your PC. The updates will take effect and the system will start working correctly after detecting the presence of a video adapter.
But this is not the last problem due to which the computer may not see the graphics card.
BIOS settings problems
There is also an option in which the BIOS cannot detect the video card. Before starting the OS, this system checks the operability of all equipment, a list of connected devices. If the check is successful, the operating system boots normally.
Sometimes, when you turn on the PC while in BIOS mode, the system may detect problems. The user sometimes does not notice additional notifications on the screen, since they appear and disappear quite quickly. Then the operating system is loaded, but with a broken performance, since the BIOS could not detect the video card.
BIOS sometimes does not see the video card. There are also cases when 2 graphics adapters are used at the same time, and the priority between them is not configured correctly. You need to reset the settings and check if this was really the reason.
For this you need:
- when you turn on the computer, go to the BIOS system (for different versions of the OS, there are different methods and keys that you need to hold down);
- go to the BIOS subsystem menu;
- go to the Exit tab;
- here select the item “Load Setup Defaults”;
- click on it with the Enter button;
- confirm the action by choosing the Yes option;
- wait until the reset procedure is completed;
- boot the OS normally.
Now it remains only through the “Device Manager” to check whether a video card has appeared there, or the computer continues to not notice it.
Impact of viruses
Another possible reason is virus attacks on your computer.
Malicious software can significantly harm the operating system. The user does not even suspect how many harmful and dangerous viruses are on the Internet. And not all of them can be detected by different antivirus programs in a timely manner.
Having an installed security program does not guarantee complete security. The antivirus must be updated periodically so that the program receives the latest algorithms and protection tools against new viruses.
It is also recommended to periodically run a forced scan. Not all malware is blocked in real time. Something may already be in the computer, but the antivirus will not be able to detect the threat until the scan starts.
Therefore, the algorithm of actions is extremely simple:
- install an antivirus, or download the latest updates to your antivirus software;
- start scanning mode;
- wait for the completion of the procedure;
- remove detected threats;
- to restart a computer.
Additionally, it will not be superfluous to go through the system with auxiliary utilities such as Dr.Web.
Lack of food
This is true for those who have recently replaced the components of the system unit, among which there may be a video card.
It so happens that a user buys a PC and over time modifies it. He puts a different video card, a more powerful processor, etc. But for some reason, many people forget that changing components to more powerful ones leads to an increase in energy consumption. It is provided not so much by a household outlet as by a power supply. It is he who makes direct current from alternating current, and redirects voltage with different ratings to the corresponding computer equipment.
And if the power supply is weak, and the new components are more powerful than the previous ones, then the video card may simply not have enough power. It does not function and is not detected, since it does not receive food, or it is supplied in insufficient quantities.
Yes, there is another option that the power supply itself gradually fails. But this is usually accompanied by more obvious signs, noise, fan hum, etc.
Therefore, in this situation, it is worth trying to connect a more powerful power supply unit and check whether the video card will normally be detected and work with it. If changing the unit helped, then you will have to invest additional funds in purchasing a new power supply for your system unit.
Video card malfunctions
The most undesirable thing that can happen is the breakdown of the video card itself on the computer.
Basically, this problem occurs among gamers and those who regularly run powerful programs and games. Because of this, the video card is under constant high load, it heats up, and gradually fails.
If, in addition, the cooling system does not work well, the system unit is clogged with dust, then this will only accelerate the inevitable.
In such a situation, you can contact the service center for help. Experts will carry out diagnostics and will be able to determine whether it is possible to restore the operation of the video card. Or you just have to buy new equipment. These are impressive financial costs.
Integrated graphics problem
Separately, it is worth considering the situation when the computer, for one reason or another, does not see the integrated video card.
This is mainly true for laptops, where discrete graphics are not always used, but there is certainly integrated graphics.
If your computer does not see the built-in video card on the laptop, you can try this method here:
- download drivers for the chipset and video card through the manufacturer’s official website;
- install the driver for the chipset first;
- now install the update package, but for the video card;
- send the computer device to reboot.
If the problem was precisely in the drivers, then the problem will go away, and the graphics will start to be displayed in the lists of the Device Manager.
Integrated video cards are usually built into the processor or motherboard. And the malfunction of the graphics leads to the fact that the entire node has to be changed, and not just a separate video card. This is the main disadvantage of integrated graphics. Plus, integrated analogs, in comparison with discrete video cards, are not capable of producing serious characteristics.
Why the PC does not see the new video card
Also, special attention should be paid to the question related to why this or that computer does not see the new video card that was installed on the PC.
It would seem that this is new equipment, just purchased. And in theory, everything should work like a clock.
But sometimes it happens differently. After installing a new video card, when loading the operating system, a strange unusual sound is heard. And there is no video signal going to the monitor.
The motherboard in such a situation works fine, the old video card also starts the computer without any problems. And the BIOS has no complaints either, the firmware is the freshest, recently installed. But the computer still does not detect the graphics adapter.
In this situation, you need to check whether the built-in video card was previously disabled, or the old graphics, and the settings were switched to the new adapter. Make sure there is power to the card.
If there are no problems here, most likely the matter is in the power supply plug. After all, the connection is different for new and old video cards. Fresh graphics cards have increased power. And therefore, they require more resources. Because of this, you will need to take a different plug. Sometimes, when changing the graphics adapter, you have to change the power supply itself in parallel. Its power may not be enough corny, as already mentioned earlier.
There are really not many reasons. But some of them require professional intervention.
Have you faced similar situations? What was the reason and how did you manage to solve the problem?
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