How to Tell if a Graphics Card is Dying: Full Guide

Signs a GPU is going back and troubleshooting steps

Co-authored by Stan Kats and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: March 20, 2026 Fact Checked

• Checking the Signs of a Dying GPU
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• Buying a Used GPU
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• Troubleshooting
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Are you having issues with your GPU/graphics card? Do you want to know if your graphics card is dying and needs replacing? Your graphics card is an essential part of your PC. It renders the images on your screen and enables high-resolution 3D graphics. It's also essential if you like to do video or audio editing, CAD, or 3D graphic modeling and animation. Like any other PC component, your graphics card is prone to failure. Before you jump to any conclusions, there are a few things you can do to check and see if your GPU is the problem and if it can be resolved. This wikiHow article teaches you how to troubleshoot problems with your GPU with expert tips from IT expert Stan Kats.

Signs Your GPU is Dying

1. Your screen freezes or goes black.
2. You experience lags or frame rate drops.
3. Your screen glitches.
4. You see strange artifacts, like dots, lines, and patterns.
5. There is excessive fan noise.
6. There are errors in Device Manager
7. Your graphics card performs poorly during a benchmark test.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Checking the Signs of a Dying GPU

1. 
   1
   Your screen is freezing or giving errors. If you find your screen is freezing, going black, or giving your blue screen errors, it could be a sign that your graphics card is dying. However, these problems can also be caused by malware, memory (RAM) problems, or even a dying hard drive.
2. 
   2
   Visuals are stuttering or lagging. According to Kats, it's not uncommon to experience lag, stuttering, or frame rate drops when there is a lot of activity on-screen or experiencing latency problems with your internet connection, or if you have too many programs running at once. However, if you start experiencing these problems for no reason at all, and/or in conjunction with other issues, it may be a sign that your graphics card is going bad.
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3. 
   3
   You are experiencing screen glitches. If you are experiencing out-of-place textures during gaming, weird colors, or screen tearing (a horizontal split in the screen), it could be a sign your graphics card is having problems.

   • Screen tearing can also be a sign that you don’t have the graphics settings set correctly. Check your display settings and update your graphics drivers. See if this fixes any screen tearing issues before you assume your GPU is tying.
4. 
   4
   There are strange visual artifacts. Another sign that your graphics card may be in trouble is if you start seeing strange artifacts. This may start off as small dots on the screen, but may soon evolve into lines, out-of-place shapes, and strange patterns.
5. 
   5
   Your games are crashing frequently. If you find your games are crashing frequently, it may be a sign that your GPU is not able to handle the load these games are generating. However, you may want to test different games to see if the problem is happening on multiple games. If it's only happening on one or 2 games, it may be a problem with the game or with your drivers.

   • Also, check to make sure your graphics card and PC meet the recommended specs for the games and software you are using. If your PC does not meet the recommended specs, these programs will not be able to run at their optimum performance. If your PC does not meet the minimum recommended specs, your PC may not be able to run these programs.
   • Also, try lowering the graphics settings on your games. Even high-end graphics cards struggle to play the most graphically demanding games at the highest graphics settings. If you are playing games at high graphics settings, try lowering them to medium.
6. 
   6
   There is excessive fan noise. Most modern graphics cards come equipped with fans that are used to cool the GPU when it is in use. When it is not in use, the fans should be relatively quiet. If the fans are going constantly, or the fans are excessively loud and grating, it could be a sign that there is a problem with your graphics card.

   • If the fans are stuck, grinding, whirring, or have missing fans, you can easily fix or replace the fans without having to replace the entire GPU.
7. 
   7
   There are blue screen errors during graphics-intensive activities. The infamous "blue screen of death" can be caused by a variety of hardware problems. However, if you find it happens while playing games or doing other GPU-intensive activities, it could be a problem with your graphics card.
8. 
   8
   Check Device Manager for errors. You can check Device Manager to see if your hardware is working properly. If there is an issue with your GPU, it will likely return an error. Use the following steps to check your Device Manager for errors.

   • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click Device Manager.
   • Expand Display Adapters.
   • RIght-click your GPU.
   • Click Properties.
   • Make sure it says “This device is working properly” under “Device Status.”
   • Google any error codes that are displayed under “Device Status.”
9. 
   9
   Run the DirectX Diagnostic tool. The DirectX Diagnostic tool will analyze your hardware and report any errors it finds. Use the following steps to run the DirectX Diagnostic tool:

   • Press Win + R to start Run.
   • Type dxdiag into Run and click Ok.
   • Click the Display tabs at the top.
   • Check to see if there are any errors under “Notes.”
10. 
    10
    Perform a stress test. You can install apps that test your graphics card. You can use a program like Novabench, Furmark, or Unigine's Heaven Benchmark to test your graphics card. These programs will test your graphics card by having it render a graphically intense scene. It will then tell you your highest, lowest, and average frame rate, as well as the average temperature of your graphics card.

    • Make sure you select the correct graphics card and your monitor’s correct resolution when performing a test.
    • Check the specs for your graphics card on the manufacturer’s web page. Make sure it is running at the correct frequency and temperature.
    • If your frame rate average is below 30 frames per second, your graphics card is not equipped to handle most 3D graphics. If your average frame rate is below 60 frames per second, your graphics card is not equipped to handle high-end intensive graphics.
    • If your graphics card is reaching temperatures above 80 degrees Celcius, your graphics card is getting too hot, and it could be causing damage. You may need to apply new thermal paste or replace the cooling system.
    • If you experience any artifacts, crashing, or errors during the test, this could be a sign there is a problem with your GPU.
11. 
    11
    Check if your PC is not booting up. The most sure-fire way to tell if you are experiencing hardware problems is if your PC does not boot up. This can be caused by a faulty graphics card or any number of other hardware issues.
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Section 2 of 3:

Buying a Used GPU

1. 
   1
   Check the original price of the card. Get the card model number from the seller and check the original price of the card. Make sure the price they are selling it at is reasonable. You don’t want to pay $700 for a card that originally cost $300. It should be marked down from the original price. Especially if it is an older card. Make sure they are selling it at a reasonable second-hand price.
2. 
   2
   Make sure there is a buyer-protection plan. If you are buying a card online, make sure there is some sort of money-back guarantee. This will give you a few days to test the card and see if it works. If it doesn’t, you can return it for a refund.
3. 
   3
   Buy locally. If possible, make sure you buy the card from your local area. This will give you an opportunity to meet the person selling the card in person. This will give you a better opportunity to get a feel for their character and see if anything feels shady. You will also get an opportunity to inspect the card and possibly test it.
4. 
   4
   Check for GPU sag. GPU sag is when the card starts to bend down on the far end when it is installed in the PCI slot. You can look for this in the sales photos or in person. A little bit of sag may not be that big of a deal. It can usually be fixed with a support beam. However, if the cooling system starts to separate from the GPU, this is when it starts to become a problem.
5. 
   5
   Look for a broken tamper seal. If you see a broken tamper seal, this means the previous owner disassembled it. This doesn’t mean that the card is broken. They may have applied new thermal paste or repairs. It could mean they did a good job of taking care of it. However, it could also mean they damaged it because they didn’t know what they were doing. At the very least, and if possible, test it before buying.
6. 
   6
   Look for missing screws. A graphics card may be able to function with a couple missing screws, but it can also be an indicator of a larger issue. At the very least, it means the card has been disassembled and tampered with. You’ll want to test the card before buying it.
7. 
   7
   Check for dust buildup. It’s not uncommon for GPUs to get covered in dust over time; however, the seller should be courteous enough to clean it before selling it. If the card is overly dusty, it could be a sign of a lack of care.
8. 
   8
   Look for rust. Rust could be a sign that the graphics card was in a highly humid environment or it was exposed to water. This could be a red flag. Especially if there is rust on any of the pins or electrical components.
9. 
   9
   Look for bulging capacitors. Capacitors are the round cylindrical components on the board. If they look swollen or bulging, this means the capacitor is bad. Bad capacitors may also be leaking or have a leg pulled out.
10. 
    10
    Check for broken fans. Make sure the fans are able to spin freely. If the fan has any broken blades, this can be a problem. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the card is bad. Fans can be easily replaced.
11. 
    11
    Don’t open the card before purchasing. You may want to remove the fans and check the thermal paste. Resist the urge to do so until after you buy the GPU. If you open the card before purchasing, the seller may try to claim that you broke the card, even if it was already broken. Don’t open it until after you’ve purchased and tested it.
12. 
    12
    Apply new thermal paste. Once you’ve purchased a new GPU, you may want to open it and inspect it. Check to see if it needs new thermal paste. This may be something that was neglected by the previous owner and can prolong the life of the GPU.
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Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

1. 
   1
   Check for any motherboard error codes if your PC does not boot up. If your PC will not boot up, check for any motherboard error codes. They may display on-screen, or you may hear a series of beeps as your PC boots up. You can also open your computer case and check if your motherboard has a number display. Check the error code on the number display or on-screen, or count the beeps as your PC boots up. Use Google to check what the error code means for your motherboard brand.
2. 
   2
   Check the video cable. If you are experiencing visual problems on your PC, you may want to check the video cable to make sure it's not causing the problem. Try using a different HDMI or DisplayPort cable. Check to make sure the connectors on the cable are clean and in good order. Check the video ports on your PC and the back of your monitor to make sure they are clean and in good working order. Make sure there is no debris in the cable or any of the ports or cable connectors. If you are able to, try a different monitor or television and see if you experience the same problem on a different display.

   • Be sure to restart your computer after swapping the cables or connecting to a different monitor.
3. 
   3
   Try a different display. If possible, try connecting your PC to a different monitor, such as a television. Make sure the problems you are experiencing are due to the monitor rather than the GPU.
4. 
   4
   Update your graphics drivers. If you are experiencing issues with your GPU, update your video drivers to see if this fixes the issue. You can usually find a download for the latest drivers for your graphics card on the manufacturer's website. Download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
5. 
   5
   Roll back your graphics drivers. If you find the problem started occurring after you updated your graphics drivers, you may want to uninstall the graphics drivers and install a previous version of the drivers. You should be able to find a list of previous drivers on the manufacturer's website.
6. 
   6
   Revert the clock speed back to the manufacturer’s default settings. Overclocking your graphics card is a good way to improve its performance. However, it can also run the risk of damaging your graphics card. If you are currently overclocking your graphics card, return the clock speed back to the manufacturer's default settings and see if the problem continues.
7. 
   7
   Check to make sure your video card is seated properly. In order to do this, you will need to open your PC case and check to make sure your graphics card is seated properly in its PCI slot, with the latch next to it firmly latched. If it is loose and not properly latched, remove the graphics card and check to make sure there isn't any dust and debris on any of the connectors. You can use an eraser or rubber cleaner to clean the connectors or in the PCI slot. Then reseat it properly.

   • When you are handling PC components, make sure you touch something metal before handling or wear static wrist cuffs before handling your PC parts to prevent static electricity. A discharge of static electricity can damage your graphics card, motherboard, or any other PC components.
8. 
   8
   Check to see if there is any dust or debris on your graphics card. Open your PC case and remove the graphics card. Check to make sure there isn't an excessive amount of dust or debris around or behind the fans. According to Kats, you can try unplugging it and cleaning it with compressed air.

   • If you are comfortable doing so, you can take apart your graphics card and inspect for damaged components. If you are not comfortable taking apart your graphics card, you can take it to a repair shop instead. That's usually the recommendation for a deep cleaning, replacing thermal paste and checking for other issues.
9. 
   9
   Replace your graphics card. If you have done all the necessary steps and your graphics card is still not working or performing at its optimal performance, now may be the time to get a new graphics card. If your old graphics card didn't meet your performance needs, look for a graphics card that meets your needs. Or maybe you can just get a new graphics card with all the latest features, like ray tracing and deep learning super sampling (DLSS).

   • Check to see if your graphics card is under warranty. If your graphics card is still under warranty, you may be able to get the manufacturer to replace or repair it for free.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do I clean my GPU heatsink?

  

  Stan Kats
  Professional Technologist

  Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.

  

  Stan Kats

  Professional Technologist

  Expert Answer

  Unscrew your graphics card, disconnect the power cables, take it out of the computer, and blow on it with some compressed air to get rid of the dust—this should help with the cooling.

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