Issue with Intel and NVIDIA, or AMD and NVIDIA laptops freezing. Possible solutions?
Issue with Intel and NVIDIA, or AMD and NVIDIA laptops freezing. Possible solutions?
Hello, this appears to be the appropriate area for sharing this information. It concerns a persistent challenge with dual-GPU Windows setups (though I’m unsure if it impacts all users). Based on my own investigations and advice from others, I’ve gathered some insights. Here are a few video examples of the issue:
1. A clip demonstrating the GPU waking up unexpectedly, leading to system lockup and battery drain (not triggered by GPU wake events). Title: "Nvidia dGPU waking for no reason"
2. Another recording showing the system freezing or stuttering when certain settings are activated—like opening context menus or specific apps. Title: "System locks-up"
3. A video highlighting random stutters, freezes, or lag that happens while interacting with Windows settings or applications. Title: "System locks-up Problem"
Device details: IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7, Ryzen 5-7535HS, RTX 3050 6GB, 16 GB RAM, 120 Hz display connected to AMD iGPU without a MUX switch.
What I’ve observed: The issue appears across all Windows versions (11 24H2, 23H2, 22H2). I’ve tested various drivers—including iGPU, dGPU, chipset, BIOS combinations—and performed multiple reinstalls.
Temporary fixes:
- Entering Safe Mode with MS-Display drivers and disabling third-party software resolves the lag.
- Disabling "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Laptop GPU" in Device Manager helps.
- Using Lenovo Vantage’s iGPU-only mode completely stops the problem.
The root cause seems linked to Nvidia Optimus, which sometimes attempts to wake the dGPU under certain conditions. I inspected the GPU via HWInfo64 and confirmed it stays asleep (see link). The GPU does briefly wake during lag moments as shown in the video. Using Windows Performance Analyzer revealed dxgkrnl.sys at the top.
I’ve tried numerous solutions but haven’t found a permanent fix. It’s frustrating when the cursor gets stuck unpredictably. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
The solution lies in understanding the problem. It seems like a driver issue, especially with NVIDIA updates over the past two weeks. Many users experience booting into safe mode, trying drivers, and installing older versions before checking for fixes. If the issues continue, reverting to an earlier version might help. Since I don’t have access to your GPU details, I can’t confirm the exact driver version.
I overlooked mentioning that I tested various drivers after launching DDU in safe mode. I only used one or two Nvidia-supplied drivers, which I removed immediately since they didn’t resolve the issue. The differences in INF configurations between OEM and Nvidia drivers likely contributed to the problem, as I believe this is specific to certain laptop hardware. These are the attempts I made:
you continued testing similar models or earlier versions. how long have you been experiencing this problem? if it’s been a prolonged issue, i’d recommend contacting the manufacturer’s support right away—it might be an issue beyond what a regular user can resolve.
I don't recall the specific Nvidia drivers you used, but I believe they were likely updated within the last few weeks. Typically, OEM drivers tend to be outdated, which is common for most laptop manufacturers. Drivers I've tested include: 527.83 (12/15/2022, 31.0.15.2783), 537.70 (10/18/2023, 31.0.15.3770), 566.14 (11/06/2024, 32.0.15.6614), 566.24 (32.0.15.6624), 566.43 (32.0.15.6643), and 566.49 (01/09/2025, 32.0.15.6649). I've experienced this issue since purchasing the laptop; my previous machine with an i5-10300H and GTX 1650 also had the same problem, though it seems to have improved after Windows 11. I found related discussions about AMD + NVIDIA laptop freezing issues and community solutions.