Graphics Card Overheating and Shutting Down? 4 Ways to Fix

Our experts were able to resolve things with the solutions here

5 min. read

Updated onApril 24, 2024

updated onApril 24, 2024

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The PC’s temperature is a critical aspect that cannot be ignored owing to its direct implications on the computer’s health. But, even many who took good care reported that the graphics card was overheating and shutting down the computer.

The temperature at which the PC shutdown is different for every manufacturer, but it’s usually in the 90-105°C range for GPU. So, if you are facing shutdown issues due tooverheating, the temperature has reached that range. Though, it can easily be fixed.

Why do graphics cards overheat?

Some of the most likely causes for graphics cards overheating are:

How can I check my GPU’s temperature?

The easiest way to check the GPU temperature is through thePerformancetab in theTask Manager. Simply pressCtrl+Shift+Escto open theTask Manager.

Some gaming PCs also come with pre-installed temperature monitoring apps users can check GPU temperatures with. Besides, you could use an effective third-partytool to monitor the CPU and GPU temperature.

What can I do if the graphics card is overheating and shutting down the PC?

Before trying the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick tricks that might help:

If these didn’t work, the ones listed next probably would.

1. Update your GPU’s driver

Your graphics card’s driver will have a direct impact on the GPU’s temperature. If Windows is unable to find a better version, you can alwaysupdate the drivers manuallythough it’ll be a tricky and time-taking process.

This is where an effective tool comes into the picture. Adriver updater utilityscan will tell you if yourGPU’s driver is old or faulty. Then you can install a newGPUdriver with the driver updater software.

2. Disable Cortana

Once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect and verify whether the graphics card is still overheating and shutting down. If that is the case, head to the next solution.

3. Change the thermal paste

The thermal paste is a critical part of the GPU and helps keep the temperature under check by aiding heat transfer. Check if it’s dried up. Though the thermal paste usually works fine for about 5 years, there are times when it goes bad sooner.

You canpurchase a thermal pasteoff the web or get one from a nearby store. These are readily available. Once you have it, replace the one on your PC, and the graphics card will no longer be overheating and shutting down.

4. Get the hardware inspected

If nothing else works, the last option is to get the hardware inspected by an expert. However, before you do that, try runningMemTest86+, an open-source tool that looks for issues with the RAM and fixes them. It most likely won’t yield results but is worth a shot.

The hardware specialist will be able to identify what’s causing the overheating, whether it’s the connection, malfunctioning components, or the GPU, and provide you with a solution.

Remember that playing GPU-intensive games can also cause overheating. This, in turn, can lead to aBSoD on that particular game.

With these solutions, you can easily fix things when the graphics card overheats and shuts down. While you are here, also find out how tomake Windows run fasterwithout modifying the hardware.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Graphics Card Overheating and Shutting Down? 4 Ways to Fix#

What can I do if the graphics card is overheating and shutting down the PC?#

1. Update your GPU’s driver#

2. Disable Cortana#

3. Change the thermal paste#

4. Get the hardware inspected#