GPU issues on RX 6950 XT under heavy load – Kernel-Power 41?
GPU issues on RX 6950 XT under heavy load – Kernel-Power 41?
Description:
When my GPU is under heavy use—like during gaming or stress tests—I experience crashes. The display turns black, sounds for a short time, then stops entirely, and the system restarts on its own. In the Event Viewer, the error “Kernel-Power 41” appears.
What I have attempted so far:
- Updated Windows and GPU drivers.
- Performed stress tests on the CPU without problems.
- Reconnected all external connections.
- Disabled XMP profile and Windows Fast Startup in BIOS.
- Reduced GPU voltage using AMD Adrenalin (95% voltage, –10% Power Limit).
- Changed the Windows power plan to Energy Saver.
Despite these efforts, crashes still occur almost immediately during GPU stress tests.
System Specifications:
GPU: AMD RX 6950 XT
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-core
Motherboard: B550M DS3H
PSU: be quiet! (model unknown, only labeled 100–240 VAC on the back near the power cable)
System age: ~2–3 years
Timeline:
The problem began today. The machine functioned perfectly before. The only changes before the issue were installing Bitdefender (later removed) and launching a new game (also removed now).
Initially, I considered the PSU might be the cause, but I’m uncertain about the next steps—whether fixing it via BIOS or adjusting software settings, or if replacement parts are needed.
I would greatly appreciate any advice, suggestions, or guidance to aid further troubleshooting or finding a solution.
Thank you in advance!
Welcome to the forums, newcomer! How are you managing the processor cooling?
Motherboard: B550M DS3H
BIOS version on your motherboard?
PSU: be quiet! (model unknown, only labeled 100–240 VAC on the back near the power cable)
Remove the side panels from the case and share a photo of the labeled side of your PSU.
Initially, I thought the issue might be with the PSU, but I’m uncertain about the next steps.
It’s recommended to obtain a stable 85-W power supply and run the whole system on it to eliminate the possibility that your current PSU is the problem.
Even so, the computer crashes right away when stress tests are applied by the GPU.
A PC may shut down suddenly for two possible reasons:
1) Overheating
or
2) The PSU can’t provide sufficient power under load.
I discovered the issue and found a solution!
It turned out Bitdefender was the culprit, even after uninstalling the antivirus, the VPN, and Bitdefender Agent. The problem stemmed from Bitdefender installing a kernel driver (trufos.sys) that conflicted with another component, leading to crashes.
Thanks for your assistance—it really helped me identify the cause.