The Nvidia GPU appears in the BIOS, but Windows cannot use it: HDMI output does not work and GPU-intensive applications fail. I have already restarted several times, completely removed and reinstalled the drivers, manually installed newer drivers, and tried updating through the Nvidia app. Device Manager still reports: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)." Could the GPU itself be failing, and is there anything else worth checking?
3 Answers
Before declaring it dead, shut the system down and check the basics: reseat the GPU if it’s removable, make sure every power connector is fully inserted, and verify that the power supply is adequate. BIOS detection doesn’t prove the card can operate correctly under load.
Code 43 can indicate a driver problem, but if you’ve already done several clean driver reinstalls, the error is more likely related to a hardware fault or power issue.
So does that basically mean the GPU is dead?
If the card is removable, testing it in another compatible computer is the best next step. If it still produces Code 43 there after a clean driver installation, the GPU itself is probably failing and would need repair or an RMA if it’s still under warranty. Laptop GPUs are usually soldered to the motherboard, so they generally cannot be hot-swapped; in that case, warranty service or professional repair is the realistic option.
Can a laptop GPU be reseated or hot-swapped?