GPU stopped working after Windows update
GPU stopped working after Windows update
The system ran with an Intel i5-2400 processor, an EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0 graphics card, 8 GB Corsair Vengeance RAM, a MOBO Asus P8H61 Pro motherboard, a 630W BeQuiet PSU, and Windows 11. While playing a game, switching tabs caused the desktop to load but froze completely afterward, with no input functionality. After rebooting, the OS encountered update issues, freezing the login screen despite having video output. Restarting resolved the problem temporarily, but after that, the PC displayed "no bootable device" and later showed GPU fan noise at maximum speed. The fans stopped turning on subsequent attempts, and the GPU fans ceased entirely. Physical turbo mode helped initially but failed permanently. Since then, no GPU output was detected. Despite multiple fixes, the issue remains unresolved, and the GPU appeared stable until the last moments. I’ve encountered this problem several times before, yet I’m still unsure what caused it.
The PSU is quite old and may be having trouble supplying power to the GPU. The GTX 970 is also fairly outdated, which could explain why it didn’t work properly or just happened to be part of the original problems. I might try a final disassembly and reassembly with only essential parts to test it. It seems it’s probably time to switch to a newer system.
Not claiming the GTX 970 failed completely, but mentioning a few concerns.
1 Your CPU isn't listed for compatibility with Windows 11.
2 As before noted, the GTX 970 has some wear on it.
3 You mentioned a Windows update was needed when your problems began.
4 I'm not suggesting Windows 11 is the problem, though the 24-H2 version might behave oddly with older hardware.
I’d just want to try booting from your USB Windows installer for fun—just to check if you can get video up to a point where a clean install becomes possible. Or, if you remove the SSD, see if you reach BIOS.
Begin by resetting BIOS settings to their default state using either the motherboard jumper or CMOS battery. Then, thoroughly clean the installation of GPU drivers. Restart into Safe Mode via Windows Recovery, performing a force shutdown three times. Employ the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to eliminate all existing GPU drivers. Update the latest WHQL-certified driver for the GTX 970 from NVIDIA’s support resources. Perform hardware checks: reinsert the GPU into the PCIe slot and verify the 8-pin power connector is firmly connected. Try installing the GPU in a different PCIe slot or on another system to detect motherboard or power supply problems. Check the PSU voltage consistency, as older 630W units may struggle under increased load. If problems continue, the GPU firmware or VRAM could be faulty; a BIOS update for the motherboard (such as Asus P8H61 Pro) might resolve compatibility issues.