Can GPUs Catch Fire?

Graphics processing units, or GPUs, are a vital computer component since you can’t play video games, create videos, or use any graphic design software without them. So, you must take care of your GPU, like ensuring they don’t get too hot to avoid damage.

GPUs Can overheat when they use too much power

GPUs are most popular in graphics, videos, and video gaming. They were primarily made to render 3D graphics but now have other uses as technology improves.

The improvement in technology also means that GPUs render graphics more realistic and detailed. 

GPUs are still used in design programs, videos, and gaming but also in cryptocurrency trading, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

With these uses, GPUs work hard and require a lot of energy to output the necessary graphics rendering.

GPUs are used for gaming. They help the graphics in your video games move and flow as fast as they do.

Before GPUs, the graphics in video games were very simple. Now, they can have vibrant colors, lots of details, and no delays.

GPUs are very useful in virtual reality games where the graphics must be so realistic that you feel like you are in the game.

This high quality of gaming is thanks in part to GPUs.

Video creators and graphic designers also use GPUs. Designers can render graphics and videos much faster, helping their work and design processes move faster. 

You can find two types of GPUs in a computer: discrete and integrated. 

  • Integrated GPUs come in your computer already and are the most common kind. The computer is meant to interact with an integrated GPU, so it works more efficiently and uses less power. 
  • Discrete GPUs use a lot of power and can run high-quality graphics better and maximize performance. However, these GPUs create heat and can become a fire hazard. You’ll want to be extra careful when using this type.

Extended overheating can cause a fire in GPUs 

A GPU with smoke effects simulating fire.

Unfortunately, GPUs can catch fire, usually when they overheat from extended periods of use or if they’re being used for something above their caliber.

There are a few common reasons that GPUs overheat and occasionally catch fire, as discussed below:

  • Excessive use: GPUs overheat when they have to work harder. You must ensure you don’t use it for anything more intense than it’s made for. If you put a lot of demand on your GPU that it doesn’t have the energy capacity for, it’ll overheat from trying to work harder than it can. 
  • Lack of airflow: They will overheat when they don’t have enough airflow to keep them cool. When GPUs overheat, or you’re worried that your GPU will overheat, ensure it has plenty of airflow; otherwise, it’ll work harder than it has to to keep your system running and graphics from slowing down. You should always keep your computer on a flat surface like a desk or table – there must be adequate airflow. 
  • The aging thermal paste on your GPU: The thermal paste on your GPU can get old and hard over time, preventing proper heat transfer and airflow. You need to replace your thermal paste when it gets old. And you need to make sure you reapply the paste in the proper place. Otherwise, you’ll block the airflow from the GPU. 

Your computer shuts down when the GPU overheats

There are other consequences of your GPU overheating and the risk of it catching fire. 

When your GPU overheats, you may notice that your games or programs freeze or quit unexpectedly.

It can no longer handle the demand your games or programs put on it, so it stops running them.

Or, even worse, your computer might shut down or restart while using it. It does this when the GPU overheats and shuts down to cool itself down. 

When your GPU catches fire, you may have to completely replace either your computer or your GPU, which costs money and takes away time you could be using to game or do graphic design or anything else you use it for.

So, preventing GPU fire is important to avoid these consequences. The next section explores some safety tips and information.

How to keep your GPU safe

You want to prevent your GPU from setting on fire; otherwise, you’ll risk it becoming permanently damaged and unusable.

Even if you still can use your GPU after a fire, it may not work as well as before.

If you want your computer or gaming system to work properly, you’ll likely have to replace a GPU that doesn’t work

This section will explain how to keep your GPU safe and prevent overheating and fires. 

Follow your GPU instructions

Your GPU should come with a set of specifications that’ll let you know how to use it. You should only use it for a certain period, in certain devices, and for certain rendering.

If you don’t follow your GPU’s instructions, there’s a high risk of overheating and setting on fire. 

You should ensure the GPU computer settings are consistent with what it is made for, which you should be able to find in the instructions or user guide.

You may ask a computer expert in your area for advice when in doubt. 

Don’t let your GPU experience huge, sudden changes

Don’t put too much new demand on your GPU because the sudden change can be too much for it.

If you notice your GPU overheating after starting a new game or design project, it’s probably too much on it.

You can get a new one to offset the demand for your new projects, but it’s probably more realistic to fix your current one. 

Try using your GPU in shorter bits of time so it has time to cool off before it gets too hot.

Or, make sure you don’t have too many programs or games running simultaneously.

If your newest game or design is making it overheat, you need to minimize how much energy it requires from your GPU and ensure others are not demanding it too much.

Check your GPU settings

Your computer system has settings that give you insight into how your GPU is running and whether or not you’re overworking it.

You can change your GPU settings if you think you’re demanding too much. The lower quality graphics you use, the less demand on it.

You can also change the settings in your games or other programs to lower quality or GPU usage to keep it from overheating.

It may impact the performance and quality of your gaming or program, but it can save your GPU from working too hard.

Keep your GPU clean

Make sure your GPU physically stays clean, too. Any dust and dirt can obstruct it from getting the air it needs to keep from overheating. 

Be careful when cleaning your GPU because there are fragile parts. You don’t want to add more dirt or dust to it.

Ensure that the computer is off before you check your GPU for dirt and dust and clean it.

Ensure you clean your GPU on a clean surface and wash your hands before handling it. Use a dry cotton swab or another gentle item to clean it.

Do a cleaning regularly, even if it looks like your GPU doesn’t need one. The less dust and dirt you let build up, the better it will run and the less risk of overheating. 

You should also keep your computer on a hard, flat surface that gives your GPU room to have airflow to and from it.

If you have it sitting on a bed, a blanket, or other soft surfaces covering your computer’s bottom, your GPU won’t get enough airflow.

And keep it in a temperature-controlled environment and out of direct sunlight.

If you’re unsure how to clean your GPU, you can always send it to a computer shop in your area to get it cleaned.

You can also get the shop to advise you on how to clean your GPU at home later.

Make sure the cooling fans are doing their thing

Faulty cooling fans can be disastrous. Check them carefully to ensure they are spinning up properly when your graphics card or GPU gets hot.

If you notice that your fans don’t spin up aggressively and become noisy when your GPU temperatures get up there, it could be that your fans require replacing.

Another reason for inadequate fan speeds is a buggy graphics card BIOS or software configured incorrectly.

To ensure you have optimal fan speeds when your graphics card gets hot, read my other article about speeding up graphics card fans.

It will show you how to install and configure MSI Afterburner (which works well on most graphics cards, even non-MSI ones) and get a good fan speed curve saved in a profile.

Make sure you uninstall all third-party software first before following the guide.

Let your GPU cool down

If you notice your GPU heating up, you should take a break from using it and give it time to cool down.

You want the temperature of the GPU to go down and be cool enough that it’ll start up normally when you use it again.

There are a few ways to tell if your GPU is overheating. First, you may notice your computer getting hot.

You may notice the bottom of your laptop overheating if you’re using a laptop. Or, the fan might be louder than normal.

These are great physical alerts that your GPU is getting too hot. 

Or, sometimes, you may see signs that it’s overheating on your screen.

Your screen may start glitching or have weird lines, dots, or other patterns, which signal that your GPU can not render all the graphics properly.

Or, you may see an error message. Sometimes these come from the game or program you’re using or the computer itself, like the blue error screen that Microsoft computer users are familiar with. 

These are all signs that your GPU is too hot, and you need to let it cool down before continuing to use it.

Get a good GPU

If you need a new GPU, whether as an upgrade or because your old one was damaged in a fire.