Symptoms
- System was stable before, but crashes or blue screens started right after installing a new GPU
- Crashes happen mostly during gaming or graphically demanding tasks
- Display sometimes flickers or goes black before a crash
- Old graphics card's drivers were never fully removed before installing the new one
Likely causes
- CommonOld graphics driver not fully removed before installing the new cardLeftover driver files from a different GPU brand or generation can conflict badly.
- CommonPower supply insufficient for the new card's power drawA card upgrade often means significantly higher power requirements than before.
- PossibleNew card not fully seated in the PCIe slotThis is easy to overlook, especially in tighter cases.
- PossibleMissing or improperly connected supplementary power cablesNew cards may need more or different connectors than the old one.
- Less commonFaulty new card, though less common than the aboveWorth testing after ruling out the more likely causes first.
What to do
- Use a driver removal tool to completely uninstall the old GPU's drivers before or after installing the new card.
- Install the latest driver for the new GPU directly from the manufacturer's website.
- Reseat the new card fully in its PCIe slot.
- Confirm the correct number and type of power cables are connected to the new card.
- Check the new card's recommended power supply wattage against what you have installed.
- If crashes continue after a clean driver install and confirmed power, test the card in a different system if possible to rule out a hardware fault.
Tools and parts
- GPU driver removal tool (e.g., DDU)
When to call a pro
If a clean driver install and adequate power don't resolve crashes, have the card tested in another system by a professional to determine if it's defective.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.