Microsoft has implemented a number of small features in Windows 10 to enhance user productivity. These features make a difference in the overall experience and productivity of users. However, there are times that instead of helping users, these small feature causes some issues instead which causes the computer to function in an unusual way. One of the issues caused by these features is where the Mouse automatically scrolls up or down even without any user intervention. This can get really annoying especially when you’re doing an important task on your computer. So if this bug takes place repeatedly, it can make your computer unusable. If you are currently facing this problem, worry not for this post will guide you on what to do to fix the mouse auto-scrolling issue in your Windows 10 computer.
Use the options provided below to fix the mouse auto-scrolling issue.
Option 1 – Try to toggle the appropriate Mouse 10 setting
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
After that, navigate to Devices > Mouse.
From there, toggle the “Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them” setting to off.
Now restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved.
Option 2 – Try to uninstall the installed Windows Updates recently
The mouse issue might have something to do with a recent update you have installed on your computer. It is possible that there are some recently installed updates that have messed up some settings in your computer. Thus, you can try to uninstall this recent Windows Update to try and fix the problem. Not that the best way to do this is in Safe Mode.
Boot your computer into Safe Mode first.
Once your computer has restarted, tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
Next, click on Update and Security, and from the left side menu column, select Windows Update.
After that, select the “View installed update history” option on the right-side column.
Then click on Uninstall Updates. This will open a window where you’ll see the list of all the installed updates on your computer.
Select the update you want to uninstall and click on the Uninstall button located in the lower-right corner of the window.
Option 3 – Try to run System Restore
You might have made some adjustments in your computer’s settings that caused the issue with the mouse. You can undo those changes using System Restore.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and then check if your mouse is now back to its normal state.
Error 1512 is a type of runtime error code. This error may hamper your ability to run and load your desired programs on Windows PC. There are increased chances of runtime error 1512 occurring when system files go missing or get corrupt.
Symptoms of this error code include:
Slow PC speed
Window System freeze
Solution
Error Causes
There are several for the occurrence of runtime error 1512. These include:
Faulty or outdated drivers
Poor Program installation
Damaged Windows Registry
Viruses tampering the system settings/memory
Broken or incorrect Registry entries
Damaged Windows registry
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve this issue you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. Here are some of the best and easy do-it-yourself methods to repair error 1512 on your system in a few minutes.
These methods are very easy to work around and do not require any kind of technical expertise.
Method 1 - Uninstall and then reinstall the Same Program
Sometimes this runtime error may pop up due to poor program installation. In such an event, it is advisable to uninstall the program and then reinstall it again properly. To do so, go to the start menu, and click on control panel.
Now select the program & features option. Here you will find the option Add/Remove Program. Remove the program causing error 1512. Once the program is removed, reinstall it again.
Method 2 - Run an Antivirus Program
Computer viruses are capable of tampering with system settings. Due to this reason you might experience runtime errors like 1512 on your PC. These malicious programs usually enter the system through phishing emails or website downloads.
To resolve the issue, you need to run a powerful antivirus program. An antivirus removes all sorts of malicious programs hiding in your PC like malware, spyware, and malware that are responsible for generating runtime errors.
Method 3 - Update the Outdated Drivers on your PC
If the error still persists, then it is suggested to update outdated drivers. Faulty and outdated drivers can also trigger runtime error 1512. To do this, go to the Device Manager. Here use the Driver update wizard to make updates.
Method 4 - Remove the Invalid Registry Entries and Repair the Damaged Registry
The best way to perform both tasks is to download Restoro. It is embedded with a registry cleaner that is quite easy to use.
The registry cleaner removes all invalid entries in seconds, cleans the cluttered registry by wiping out all the redundant and unnecessary files. The damaged registry is then repaired and resumes its normal function.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve runtime error 1512.
Seeing obscure error codes like 0x80070715 on the screen again and again can be annoying simply because you have no idea why it keeps popping up? What does it mean? Well, for beginners you don’t have to decode it, we’ll make it simple for you.
This error code indicates missing .dll files in the system or a corrupt registry. Due to this, you get locked from accessing and running applications on your system.
Solution
Error Causes
This error occurs largely because of two reasons:
Disk damage due to cluttered registry
The system gets infected by malware or a virus(es)
The error code 0x80070715 creates hurdles in the functioning of the applications. If this error is not repaired immediately it can result in serious damages like system crash and failure.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Many people pay hundreds of dollars to technicians to resolve this issue on their systems. Is it worth it? Not exactly!
How about we tell you a time and a money-saving way to fix the error code 0x80070715 on your PC?
The best way to resolve this issue on your system in seconds and also for free is to install Restoro.
This is an advanced, powerful, and multi-functional system repair and a PC optimizer tool. It is smoothly integrated with numerous performance-driven utilities like registry cleaner, privacy error detector (anti-virus), Active X and Class error, and system stability detector.
With this helper, you can resolve not only the error code 0x80070715 but also other types of PC-related errors.
Whether the cause of the error code 0x80070715 on your PC is malware or cluttering cluttered disk, Restoro can be used to resolve them all. Its powerful and intuitive registry cleaner scans the registry and repairs it successfully.
It removes junk files, internet history, temporary internet files, invalid entries, and also the files from the uninstalled programs still saved in the system’s registry.
It wipes out all the clutter on your hard disk and cleans it in seconds freeing up plenty of space. It repairs the registry resolving the error 0x80070715 quickly.
Nonetheless, if the error 0x80070715 is triggered due to viral infection or malware it removes them too. By downloading unknown files, accessing malicious websites, and opening phishing emails viruses can enter your PC.
You may not be aware of these until error code 0x80070715 pops on your screen. It is wise to remove viruses right away because these give hackers access to your system which often results in data breaches and exposes users to system security threats.
Restoro also works as a powerful antivirus. All malware, spyware, and viruses affecting your PC are scanned with the help of the advanced built-in privacy error detector utility.
This utility embedded in the system detects viruses and malware in your system and removes them from your system successfully.
Restoro is an easy-to-use repair tool. It has a simple layout and a user-friendly interface. It is easy to navigate through the repair tool, scan for errors and repair them without any hassle. Users of all levels, novice and experienced can use this tool with ease.
You don’t need to be technically sound to work around this tool. Here's how to Install and run Restoro PC Fixer:
In addition to this, you can run it on any Windows version. It is compatible with practically all versions.
No matter what the cause for error code 0x80070715 maybe, you don’t need to get into the nitty-gritty of it and find a specific tool to resolve the issue.
All you have to do is install this multi-functional Restoro on your system.
Here are the 3 simple steps that you need to follow for successful repair:
As you know, the Settings app is a vital part of Windows 10 as it helps in fixing issues in the system and offers users access to various Troubleshooters, as well as the Reset function and many more. So if you want to Reset this PC or a Windows Store app, you need to use the Settings app to do so. However, one of the most annoying errors you can encounter when using the Settings app is that it crashes or sometimes does not open at all. Thus, if you are having issues with this app, worry not for there are alternative ways you can try to reset your Windows 10 PC.
For you to reset your Windows 10 PC without using the Settings app, the main option you have is to use the Advanced Startup options and there are different methods by which it can be accessed. It can be accessed via Lockscreen, Command Prompt window, or via Start Menu.
Option 1 – Reset Windows 10 via Lockscreen
You need to first boot into the Advanced Startup options from the lock screen. If you’re already logged in to your account, you have to hit the Win + L keys to get on the lock screen.
Next, click on the Power button located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
After that, hold the Shift key and click on Restart to restart your computer into the Advanced Setup option mode. And from there, you can reset your Windows 10 computer.
Option 2 – Reset Windows 10 via Command Prompt
Search for “cmd” in the Cortana search box or hit the Win + R keys to open the Run box and type “cmd” in the field and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
If a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, click Yes to proceed in opening Command Prompt.
After that, type the following command and hit Enter to execute it:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
After you execute the command, it will restart your computer into the Advanced Startup options where you can reset your Windows 10 computer.
Option 3 – Reset Windows 10 via Start Menu
Tap the Win key or click on the Start button located in the Taskbar.
Then click on the Power button at the bottom right portion of the screen.
Next, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then click on Restart. This will restart your Pc into the Advanced Startup options.
Note: Once you have access to the Advanced Startup options, you have to go to the setting which allows you to Reset your Windows 10 PC. All you have to do is select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC to reach the following screen
Afterward, select either the “Keep my files” option or the “Remove everything” option depending on your preference, and then proceed to the next on-screen instructions that follow to reset your Windows 10 computer.
If you suddenly noticed that your Onscreen keyboard in Windows 10 has become completely white or transparent for some reason, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do to resolve this kind of issue in your computer.
As you know, the on-screen keyboard is included in Windows 10 and has an executable file named “osk.exe”. The on-screen keyboard is a part of the Ease of Access feature in Windows 10 which allows users to navigate the computer with the help of the mouse instead of the physical keyboard. However, there are times when you might encounter some issues when using the on-screen keyboard. One of the issues reported recently is that the on-screen keyboard becomes transparent or it only displays the borders but there is no way for you to access it. You also won’t be able to move it from the view completely. To fix this problem, there are several suggestions you can check out. You can try to check the Fade button or run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. You can also restart its process in the Task Manager. For more details, refer to each one of the given options below.
Option 1 – Try to check the Fade button
The first thing you can do is to check the Fade button on the on-screen keyboard. You can find it at the bottom right corner of the keyboard. If it is enabled, then it’s probably the reason why your on-screen keyboard is transparent as it lets it fade in the background. Thus, you have to disable it to resolve the problem.
Option 2 – Try to run the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter
The next option you can check out is running the Windows Touch Keyboard troubleshooter. This troubleshooter will help you identify the problem and would fix them automatically.
Option 3 – Try to restart the process of the on-screen keyboard via Task Manager
The next thing you can do is to restart the on-screen keyboard’s process in the Task Manager. Just follow the steps below.
First, tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
Next, go to the Processes tab and look for the option that says, “Accessibility On-screen Keyboard”.
Once you found it, click on the drop-down arrow next to it and right click on the “On-screen Keyboard” option, and select End task to end its process.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility and type “osk.exe” in the field, and then hit Enter to open the on-screen keyboard.
Despite popular belief, there are a lot of users running Linux OS. Linux offers great security and working environment and 96.3% of the world's top 1 million servers run on Linux. 90% of all cloud infrastructure operates on Linux and practically all the best cloud hosts use it. But gaming on Linux is limited, enter Steam proton a Valve’s gaming solution.
What is Steam proton?
Proton is a WINE fork with some extra capabilities, to play games and run applications not native and not made to run natively under Linux OS. It is supposed to bridge the Gaming issues for PC users and let them more freedom in choosing an operating system to game on.
Find out if your game supports Proton
Although there are a lot of titles that nowadays run natively on Linux some will still need proton in order to run at all and sadly some of them will not be able to run on Linux even via proton but seeing how Valve is busy and it is trying to push its ideas and technology slowly this gap is closing.
In order to see how the game you want to play performs and behaves on Linux and proton environment visit https://www.protondb.com/ and find out. As soon as the site loads you will be greeted with statistics and a search option to find out the status of the desired game with one of the given statuses: Borked, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Native.
As you probably guessed native means that the game will work on Linux out of the box and borked will probably not work at all. Platinum and gold status means that game will run on proton without any input or tweaks from the user while silver and bronze means that it will work but might need some tweaks in order to make it work.
How to get Steam proton?
In order to run games under proton inside Linux, you will need firstly a Steam client which luckily works naturally on Linux. Unlocking/activating Steam Proton on your Linux-based system is easy. Just head over to Steam > Settings > Steam Play and toggle the option “Enable Steam Play for Supported Titles”.
Valve has tested and fixed some Steam titles and you will now be able to play those titles. However, if you wish to go even further beyond, and play titles that even Valve has not tested, toggle the option “Enable Steam Play for all titles”.
Conclusion
Even we are not there yet, native gaming on Linux is gaining a foothold each day. Will Steam’s OS with proton technology be one that will turn the tide from Windows or some other tech we cannot tell but one thing is for sure, more choices mean better products so I am hopeful for a bright future.
Internet connectivity issues like Can’t connect to this network present a complex problem with simple solutions for PC and laptop users. First, it is usually recommended that users rule out problems with the internet connection, router, and Wi-Fi settings before proceeding to troubleshoot settings on your PC/laptop. Once the rest are ruled out, we can then proceed with the following troubleshooting steps and guidelines to fix your wifi connection issue:
The first step is to update your windows network adapter driver. Connectivity problems may arise if your network driver is not updated or if it is incompatible with the network adapter. To do so, you may resort to any third-party driver scanning and installing programs found online. This solution should resort if users don’t want the hassle of perusing through windows settings that users may not be familiar with.
However, this solution requires a pre-existing internet connection other than wifi, so it is recommended you have a backup internet connection via ethernet.
The second step is to uninstall the driver for your network adapter. This solution is to resort if there is an issue with the driver as restarting the PC after the following steps let windows reinstall the driver again:
Open the quick access menu on your keyboard by pressing the Windows key and X key at the same time and select “Device Manager” from the menu list.
From the list of devices, select “Network Adapters”
Usually on the top of the list is the Wireless Network Adapter
Right-click the Wireless Network Adapter and select the option to “Uninstall device”
You will be given a confirmation in a new separate window to proceed. Click “Uninstall” to proceed.
After completing the previous steps, try rebooting your Windows PC and reconnecting to see if it works.
A third step is to disable the 802.1 1n modes of your network adapter by following the next steps:
First press the Windows logo key and the X key at the same time to bring up the quick-access menu. And like the previous step, select “Device Manager”
From the list of devices, select “Network Adapters”
Right-click the Wireless Network Adapter from the drop-down menu and select properties
Under properties, select the “Advanced” tab then select the 802.1 1n Mode. To the right drop-down menu change the option to “Disabled” and click “Ok”
After, try to re-establish the connection to see if the steps have worked.
In the event that any of the preceding did not fix your problem, it helps to take a second look at the router and network settings using the interface provided by your ISP. A simple reset to the back of your router often fixes the issue. Also, try to check if you have any other administrative capabilities over the network to determine whether your device, in particular, has been MAC filtered or if the frequency of your wireless adapter is not compatible with the broadcast frequency of your router.
If you are trying to copy a folder or file in your Windows 10 computer but encountered an error that says, “There is insufficient disk space to complete operation”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will walk you through how you can fix the error. This kind of problem could be due to lack of disk space, corrupted disk, and many more. In such cases, this error usually pops up when you move or copy a file or folder to a particular location.
There are several potential fixes you can check out to fix this error. You can try to run the Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup or try copying or moving the file in a Clean Boot State. You could also try formatting the given partition to NTFS. For more information, refer to each one of the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to delete the temporary files
The error could be caused by some temporary or junk files in your computer and so you need to clear them up to fix the problem. You can achieve that using the Storage Sense feature.
Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space. Make sure that Storage Sense is on.
Next, find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
Windows Upgrade Log Files
The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
Thumbnails
Temporary Internet Files
Previous Windows Installation Files
Delivery Optimisation Files
DirectX Shader Cache
Choose the files you want to get rid of and then click on the remove files option. Note that you’ll have an idea of the total size as you select any of the junk files listed above.
Now go to the “Free Up Space Now” section and click the Clean now button. This will get rid of all the temporary or junk files in your computer and should hopefully fix the “There is insufficient disk space to complete operation” error.
Option 2 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State
If the first options didn’t work and you still see the “There is insufficient disk space to complete operation” error when you copy folder or files, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then again.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
Now try to connect copy the folder or file once more and check if the error is now gone.
Option 3 – Try formatting the given partition to NTFS
Even though this option may take a lot of your time, it is proven to fix the “There is insufficient disk space to complete operation” error as reported by many users who also went through the same dilemma. So if the removable disk is showing the same error message no matter which computer you insert it, you might have to format the drive with the help of Command Prompt. But before you do that, you must know that all the contents of your drive will be permanently deleted after you format it.
Tap Win + R to launch Run.
Type in cmd and then tap Enter or click OK to open the Command Prompt.
And in the elevated window of Command Prompt, type in the following command:
format F: /fs:ntfs
In the command given above, “F” is the drive letter and “NTFS” is the file system you want. Just remember to replace “F” with the drive letter you want to format as well as the file system you prefer. Brace yourself as this process might take quite a while even if you only have a 4 GB USB drive – so you must not close the window under any circumstances as the drive might get corrupted and wait for the process to finish.
Code 21 is a Device Manager error code that appears when you try to use a hardware device attached to your computer and the Windows prohibits you from using it.
This is due to the Windows experiences problems loading the device driver. This error message is displayed in the following format:
“Windows is removing this device. (Code 21)”
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 21 means that Windows is in the device removal process and the device has not been completely removed. It occurs when you set a device to be removed and then select the same device to run on your system.
Upon your instructions, Windows start to remove that device and when you on the other hand try to use/access the same device that you selected for removal, it kicks up Code 21.
Further Information and Manual Repair
If you are experiencing error code 21 on your PC, it is advisable to resolve it immediately.
Though this error will not damage your system, but will significantly lower the performance of your PC which is definitely something you don’t want especially if you work on your computer daily and use it to perform important time-sensitive errands.
To repair and resolve, try the methods given below:
Method 1 - Wait for a Few Seconds and Then Press F5
This is one of the best and easiest ways to resolve code 15 on your system. Wait for a few seconds, and then press the F5 key. This will update the Device Manager view and the error will most probably go away.
Method 2 - Restart Your PC
Sometimes error codes may pop up due to temporary glitches. To resolve such errors, a simple reboot of your PC is enough. Shut down Windows and then restart your system.
This is most likely to resolve Code 21. However, if the error still persists then this means the underlying problem for code 21 is deeper than you think. Try method 3 to resolve.
Method 3 - Install DriverFIX
As mentioned earlier, the error code 21 may occur if you have selected a device to remove and then you try to reuse it.
To resolve, you may have to install the device again and the driver for that the reinstalled device. To reinstall the driver without any hassle, simply download DriverFIX.
It is a smart, user-friendly, and intuitive software program designed to resolve driver problems. The program is embedded with intelligent device identification technology which:
Automatically detects all the appropriate system drivers
Matches them with the latest available versions
And then updates drivers according to their compatible versions on a regular basis
Furthermore, it enables accurate installation and ensures that your system is running at its optimal speed.
Other features that this program boasts are full backup and restoration, safe USB management, and ejection.
If nothing works, you can try the full backup and restoration feature and restore your PC to its previous state when it was functioning properly before the error occurred.
DriverFIX creates a backup of all your files and data hedging keeps you from disasters like data loss. It restores the system to the time when it was working properly.
Click here to download DriverFIX on your system and resolve error code 21 today.
Afraid of the growing threats online? As you should be. But we’re here to show you what kinds of malware are out there and what you can do to keep them at bay.
Malware definition
Malware comes from the term malicious software. It’s software designed to attack and exploit devices and networks to the advantage of the hacker who made it.
Malware can be transmitted in different ways. Most commonly this happens via infected USB drives, downloadable files or malicious websites. Depending on the type and ultimate goal, the consequences of a malware attack can range from negligible to catastrophic.
Credit: Ed Hardie on Unsplash
What kinds of malware are there?
1. Virus
A virus is typically spread via infected files, websites or links. It’s one of the oldest malware types and one of the most difficult to get rid of. That’s because, once activated, it replicates itself - hence the name.
It can perform different kinds of attacks, depending on what the creator wants to achieve. The main characteristic of a virus is that it really doesn’t show itself until you activate the host. So that’s a scary thought for sure.
2. Adware
Sometimes an ad blocker isn’t enough to fight off unwanted ads. And some of them can, unfortunately, be malicious. They may redirect you to infected sites or prompt downloads of risky files. Even just opening a malicious site can lead to data theft.
So, definitely be careful when clicking around. Even if an ad seems completely legitimate, you can never be too sure.
3. Ransomware
Through ransomware, cybercriminals gain access to a user’s data and use it to extort them for money. Basically, the user is threatened with data deletion or even exposure if a ransom isn’t paid by a specific deadline.
This is a particularly nerve-wracking type of malware. If it targets an individual, it preys upon their sense of anxiety, fear, guilt and even shame. If it targets a business (which is a lot more common), it preys upon not only that business’s profit but also every single one of their customers and their data.
4. Trojans
This type of malware disguises itself very well as a legitimate-looking program. Once you download it, hackers can get full access and control of your device, data and network. They can even be hidden in games, apps and attachments. They cannot self-replicate, though, so we guess that’s… good news?
5. Worms
Worms can replicate, just like viruses, but you don’t need to actually activate the infected program for them to get going. They can be used for various purposes, ranging from data deletion to file encryption to support a ransomware attack.
Credit: Growtika on Unsplash
6. Spyware
Spyware refers to malicious software that stays hidden on your computer and monitors your activity. The best-known type is keyloggers. This can be used to steal sensitive data like passwords and banking information.
7. Rootkits
Rootkits are among the most dangerous types of malware. They allow administrative access and full control of a device, which lets hackers continue hijacking all your data and monitoring your activity without your knowledge.
8. Botnets
Botnets are networks made up of bots - computers that cybercriminals have infected with malicious software. Bots and botnets give hackers remote access to users’ devices and allow them to spy on your camera, take screenshots, memorize passwords and launch Distributed Denial of Service attacks. This one truly makes your hair stand on end.
What can you do about it?
You know the old adage - better safe than sorry. And trust us, malware attacks are such a pain in the you-know-what that you really don’t want to be sorry.
Luckily, there are simple solutions that can shield you from most digital threats these days. What you want to be looking at is a solid antivirus program. Well, technically, you need an antimalware program, but since the latter evolved from the former, we still mostly refer to them as antivirus software. The majority of antimalware programs these days don’t just shield you from potential risks online, but include additional features as well. For example, some Bitdefender antivirus packages also include parental control and a VPN. And Bitdefender is not just for PCs either - it offers protection for your beloved iPhone or Android as well. You can throw in a password manager in there too, for an additional layer of security.
Credit: Dan Nelson on Unsplash
If you aren’t too concerned about all these various threats or feel like you don’t need extra security, you can at least take a step to protect your information from being exposed to lurking cybercriminals as you’re browsing. This can be done through a good VPN like Surfshark, which hides your identity in the digital space and prevents your data from being tracked.
Choosing the right protective software is especially important if you have children with access to the Internet, since they’re unfortunately even more vulnerable to malicious attacks. If you aren’t sure what the right kind of antimalware program is right for you, you can reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help keep your entire household or office digitally secure.
The bottom line
The truth is that there’s no way to be 100% protected in the online world. Hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to infiltrate our devices. But malware-battling software evolves along with them and there’s still plenty you can do to keep risks away. Stay safe!
Can graphic cards wear out over a longer period of time? Recent studies and experience from crypto miners say no but they can die due to different reasons like improper use, low cleaning habits, factory mistakes, etc.
Many gamers and people who use GPU intense applications tend to think that some glitches and hiccups in the software are a sign that graphic card is dying out and that it is time to be replaced. Altho this could be true in many cases these kinds of behavior are mostly due to old drivers and software issues.
Older cards can produce these kinds of results due to their old age and new software is often more demanding than these cards can handle.
So in order to diagnose and be sure that your GPU is indeed dying out lookout for these signs.
The Main Signs of a Dying GPU:
The Computer Crashes and Won’t Reboot
If your computer shutdown while working in the graphic application or while playing the game and the monitor loses signal there is a high chance the graphic card is soon going to be gone. Some motherboards have hardware detection failure and can signal immediate fail. If when turning your computer ON you are greeted with a blue screen with the message that the signal can not be found or you do not have picture at all it is most likely that GPU has failed.
Graphic Glitches While Playing Games
If you are playing the game and all of sudden you get off-color pixels, screen flickering, strange graphic behaviors, random artifacts, or similar and that keeps repeating in multiple games it is likely that GPU days are coming to an end.
Abnormal Fan Noise or Performance
Fans are an essential part of cooling the GPU and over time if they are intensively used they could wear out and need replacing. If however you have not noticed and have not replaced the fans card can sustain overheating damage.
Many cards have cooling fans that are designed to spin at a higher RPM only when the GPU is under load. It prevents bearings in the fans from dying prematurely, so don’t worry if one of your fans is inactive while you are browsing the web.
However, when you play games that utilize software that your card isn’t built to support, the bearings in the fans wear out faster. Once the fans stop working under load, the graphics card can quickly die.
How to Diagnose a Dying Graphics Card
Presented next are essential steps in order to recognize a dying graphic card.
Check Motherboard Error Codes
Many motherboards today completely shut down a component that is no longer working. If your graphics card has died completely, this may be one of the easiest ways to tell. If your motherboard doesn’t have display codes, you can try testing the card in a new system.
Open the computer case: Use your screwdriver to remove screws on the side panel and gently slide it back.
Locate the error code display on your motherboard: If you have a motherboard with error codes, they should appear near an outer corner.
Try to reboot your computer: Record each error number you see after you boot your computer.
Consult the motherboard manufacturer manual for error codes: Open the manual and locate the list for your error codes. If the code matches a graphics processing unit error, your video card could have died.
Check Hardware for Damage or Debris
A graphics card that has damage or debris on the physical parts might quickly overheat and kill the card.
Remove the screws holding the GPU in place: There are typically one or two screws holding the card to a bracket on the case.
Unhook the power cords from the GPU and pull the release tab: Remove the power cords from your GPU by pushing in their tabs and gently rocking them out. Once you remove each cord, gently push or pull up on the release tab near the motherboard.
Inspect the GPU for damage/debris: Check the card for any dirt or debris buildup and clean it out with a Q-tip. You can replace broken fan pieces from the manufacturer.
Test Your GPU Under Load
Download GPU stress-testing and heat-monitoring software.
With the card installed, run a stress test.
As you are running the stress test, run heat-monitoring software: With the stress test running, check your heat-monitoring software for GPU overheating. Any reading over 80 degrees Celsius is too hot.
Check device manager for outdated drivers: If your GPU is clean, but still running too hot, your software drivers are not installed correctly. To check, type in “device manager” at the bottom of your desktop and click on Device Manager. Find your display adapter and right-click on it to see if it’s working. If your drivers are not working correctly, it is indicated here usually. However, the driver may appear to be functioning even if it says otherwise in the properties.
Keep your graphic card drivers updated
When you don’t have the right driver installed, graphics cards can quickly burn up, and their cooling components may fail faster. That’s why you should always keep drivers updated for each new game you install or play. Older games may also release new software patches, so your GPU drivers should be updated accordingly.