How to Check if a GPU is Working Properly

By Marlo Strydom

Is your GPU causing game crashes, displaying strange artifacts, or running suspiciously hot? Learning how to check if your GPU is working properly can save you from frustrating performance issues and potential hardware damage. A healthy GPU should maintain stable temperatures (60-85°C under load), show consistent performance in benchmarks, and display graphics without artifacts or glitches.

Quick Answer: Check your GPU health using Task Manager for usage patterns, monitor temperatures with MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor, and run stress tests like 3DMark. Look for stable temps, no visual artifacts, and performance scores within 10% of your GPU model's average.

GPU problems often start small but can quickly escalate to system crashes or hardware failure. Here's how to diagnose your graphics card's health using both built-in tools and specialized software.

1. Quick Checks First

Start with these basic checks before diving into detailed diagnostics.

  • Power Connections: Ensure your GPU's power cables are firmly connected - loose connections can cause instability or prevent the card from working entirely.
  • Display Cables: Try a different cable or port if you're experiencing visual issues.
  • Driver Updates: Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel's website to download the latest drivers for your card.
  • Temperature Check: A healthy GPU runs 30-40°C idle and 60-85°C under load.

⚠️ If your GPU exceeds 85°C regularly, it may be thermal throttling or at risk of damage. Address cooling issues immediately.

2. Using System Tools

Built-in tools can quickly show if your GPU is being detected and functioning.

Windows Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Performance > GPU. A healthy GPU should show:

  • Idle Usage: Near-zero usage (0-5%) when not gaming
  • Gaming Usage: 60-100% during games or 3D work
  • Memory Usage: Less than 500MB when idle

⚠️ If you see 0% usage during games, your system might not be detecting the GPU properly. If idle usage exceeds 30%, background processes may be unnecessarily taxing your card.

GPU Software

Use your GPU's official software for deeper insights:

  • NVIDIA Control Panel: Shows detailed performance metrics and allows driver management
  • AMD Radeon Software: Provides comprehensive monitoring and tuning options
  • MSI Afterburner: Third-party tool offering real-time statistics for any GPU brand
  • HWMonitor: Displays temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds

💡 Watch for temperature patterns - sudden spikes often indicate problems. Gaming temperatures between 60-80°C are normal, but anything above 85°C requires attention.

3. Performance Testing

Test your GPU's performance and stability with these tools.

Recommended Benchmarking Tools

  • 3DMark: Industry standard for gaming performance testing
  • Heaven/Valley Benchmarks: Free tools for stability testing (run for 30+ minutes)
  • UserBenchmark: Quick comparison against similar GPUs
  • FurMark: Extreme stress testing (use with caution)

Interpreting Results

Good Performance Indicators:

  • 3DMark scores within 10% of your GPU model's average
  • UserBenchmark scores above 40th percentile (80th+ is excellent)
  • Stable frame rates without stuttering
  • No visual artifacts or glitches during testing
  • Temperatures remain below 85°C under load

Warning Signs: Sudden frame rate drops, stuttering, GPU not reaching normal clock speeds under load, fans running at maximum during light tasks, or memory errors during stress tests indicate potential hardware issues.

4. Common Problems and Solutions

Recognize and fix these typical GPU issues.

Visual Problems and Fixes

  • Screen Flickering: Usually driver-related - update or roll back your drivers
  • Visual Artifacts/Glitches: May indicate overheating or hardware failure
  • Poor Performance: Often caused by inadequate cooling or dust buildup
  • No Display Output: Check power connections and reseat the GPU in its PCIe slot

Maintenance Tips

  • Regular Cleaning: Use compressed air to keep your GPU dust-free
  • Driver Updates: Check NVIDIA or AMD websites regularly
  • Proper Airflow: Ensure case fans are working and intake/exhaust are unobstructed
  • Reseating: If problems persist, try removing and reinstalling your GPU

💡 A properly maintained GPU can last for years. Regular monitoring and maintenance will help prevent most common issues before they become serious problems.

We have created a video summary of this article on YouTube.