I have a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Gaming OC that shows a Code 43 error after the computer freezes during gaming. Running DDU and reinstalling the graphics driver temporarily clears the error, and a normal restart does not cause it by itself. The error returns when the system crashes while playing GTA 5.
One of the GPU fans does not spin, although I'm not sure whether it is supposed to run continuously. The card also needs fresh thermal paste and thermal pads. During gameplay, my Ryzen 5 5600 reaches roughly 80–90% usage while the GPU only reaches about 20–30%. After 15–20 minutes, the GPU temperature climbs to around 90°C and the PC freezes.
Could the faulty cooling system be causing the crashes and Code 43? If I replace the fan and renew the thermal paste and pads, is there a reasonable chance the graphics card will work normally again, or does the recurring error suggest permanent hardware damage?
3 Answers
Code 43 means the driver has detected that the graphics device is not operating correctly. It can result from a driver problem, but in this situation the repeatable crash at high temperature points more toward a hardware or power-related problem. DDU only resets the driver state; it does not repair a failing GPU. Fix the cooling first, then test with a clean driver installation and monitor temperatures, clocks, and fan speed.
A single fan not spinning is not automatically a fault because many graphics cards stop some fans at low temperatures. However, if that fan is meant to run under load and the card reaches 90°C before freezing, the cooling system needs attention. Replace or repair the fan, clean the heatsink, and renew the thermal interface material before doing more stress testing. Avoid continuing to run demanding games while it overheats.
The Code 43 disappears after using DDU, but it comes back after the GPU crashes and I restart the computer. Does that make permanent GPU damage more likely?
There is a chance that proper cooling will solve it if overheating is triggering the crashes, but nobody can guarantee that the card has not already been damaged. Have a reputable GPU repair shop inspect the fan, heatsink contact, thermal pads, power connectors, and the card’s behavior under load. If Code 43 still returns after the cooling is repaired and the drivers are clean, the GPU or its memory may be failing and replacement could be necessary.
If the card stays cool after replacing the fan, paste, and pads, could the Code 43 stop returning?