The most common GPU problems and how to fix them

By Jon Martindale Updated September 5, 2025

No GPU is completely immune to issues, and even the best graphics cards may sometimes be hit by problems. If you use a desktop PC or laptop for long enough, chances are you’re going to come across one of the common GPU problems that have plagued gamers and workers since the humble graphics card debuted for the first time. The question is, do you know how to fix them? If not, never fear. We’re here to help.

Whether you’re encountering poor performance, overheating, visual artifacts, or a dreaded black screen, we’re going to help you diagnose and fix these common GPU problems.

One of the most common GPU problems is that it simply doesn’t appear to work at all. If you turned on your PC and found that it just doesn’t display anything on the screen, that can be quite a tricky fix, as it’s not a certainty that the GPU is at fault. A quick look at our PC troubleshooting guide will highlight just how many components could be causing your PC not to start up properly, but if you’re pretty sure it’s the graphics card that’s at fault, here are some fixes you can try.

If all the above still leaves you with a black screen, it’s possible that your graphics card is faulty or even dead. It might be time to consider buying a new graphics card.

When a graphics card (a.k.a. a GPU) has some serious problems, it can sometimes exhibit something known as visual artifacts. These can be strange colored squares, or lines appearing on the screen, or you could see certain in-game elements flickering, or appearing to display incorrectly, or the entire screen can flicker on and off. Here are some ways you can diagnose the problem, and maybe even fix it.

If none of the above solutions work, you may have a GPU that’s going to die soon. If you can, use an alternative card, or upgrade to something new. Check out our GPU prices tracker to see what’s available right now.

If you’re finding that your GPU isn’t outputting the kind of frame rates, or supporting the kind of resolution and detail settings you’d expect, you can try the following to get it up to speed again.

If you’ve been checking your GPU temperatures during gaming or transcoding work and found that the card is thermal throttling or running too hot for your liking, then it’s a good idea to try to fix it. A graphics card that’s running too hot won’t perform as well as you like, and long-term overheating can lead to a reduced lifespan for the card.

One of the most obvious signs of a failing GPU is the phenomenon known as visual artifacts. If you’re seeing strange squares, lines, or flickering, it’s probably time to assess the health of your GPU. Before you open up your phone and start shopping for a replacement, try these troubleshoots:

The average lifespan of a GPU tends to be around 5-10 years, though high-quality ones can outlast even that. However, a GPU’s performance may fall precipitously when a new console generation is released, and the graphic demands outstrip your GPU’s capabilities. In this case, your 10-year-old GPU may not be able to keep up. We also have a dedicated guide on how long a GPU can really last.

A faulty GPU can absolutely be fixed, depending on the nature and severity of the problem. Whether you’re encountering poor performance, overheating, visual artifacts, or a black screen, there are some basic things you can do on your own before having to resort to taking it to a repair shop. This includes (but is certainly not limited to):

This is just a basic set of troubleshoots; mileage will vary depending on what, exactly, is plaguing your GPU.