Windows continues to crash even after installing a new AMD GPU.
Windows continues to crash even after installing a new AMD GPU.
Following a fresh GPU setup my machine keeps failing without any signs of recovery. It freezes every time I attempt to boot or launch a game. The only solution so far has been a full Windows reinstall, but the problems return within weeks. Even after using DDU to clear old drivers, no previous GPU drivers remain in the system. I’m unable to locate the error and the software just continues crashing regardless of troubleshooting steps. I’m really stuck and don’t want to risk replacing everything.
Are the system specs correct? If it keeps failing after a fresh setup, it might point to a hardware issue. The only sure way is to test it on another machine.
Try to run your PC without the AMD GPU to pinpoint the issue. It might be a faulty GPU. A few years ago I owned a 6900 XT that unexpectedly damaged the bed and destroyed the motherboard. I sent it in for replacement, but they claimed it was fixed. However, I continued facing severe problems with both Windows 10 and PopOS—especially during that mid-tier distribution period.
AsRock B550 Phantom features Ryzen 7 3800X with 4x16GB DDR4 RAM, Corsair Dominator Platinum Radeon 6700X GPU, Seagate Iron Wolf PCIe NVMe SSD, Parrot SSD for Windows boot, XPC M.2 SSD for fast access, 750W power supply, running Windows 10 64-bit. This is my sole machine, and if it fails, I risk losing everything I've invested.
If the GPU remains covered under warranty, consider returning it for a replacement or repair (RMA). The mention of the word "new" suggests your device is outdated. You might want to check the same model again to determine if the issues resolve.
You're thinking about moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Have you thought about it? You mentioned you reinstalled Windows, but what method did you use? Did you adjust the settings to reset the computer, or did you perform a full clean install? My suggestion is to save any important files onto a USB drive or another storage, and completely erase the boot disk. With Windows 10, it's best to disconnect from the internet—either by unplugging the Ethernet cable or avoiding Wi-Fi—and then start the installation process. If you're using offline installation, wipe the boot drive entirely since there might be faulty hardware. After that, follow the usual steps as if you had a clean install. Back when I was on Windows 10, I always did this way. It helps avoid unnecessary software and prevents automatic driver installations from the internet, which can cause issues for some systems. Once connected to the internet, first apply all updates, then visit your motherboard manufacturer's site to download drivers, including Radeon if needed. If everything fails, consider trying Zorin OS or Linux as alternatives.
I’m ready to give it a shot. I’ve already moved files in safe mode to clear the boot drive, replacing it with a new M.2 SSD that I completely wiped for this purpose. I was hoping it wouldn’t be necessary because I keep all my apps, games, and files on a separate drive to avoid corruption on the boot drive. Something must have slipped through and caused this issue. I’ll share an update later to let you know if the fix worked.