I have a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Gaming OC that starts showing a Code 43 error after the computer freezes during gaming. Running DDU and reinstalling the graphics drivers clears the error temporarily, but it returns after the next crash and restart. A normal restart without a gaming crash does not trigger Code 43.
While playing GTA 5, my Ryzen 5 5600 reaches roughly 80–90% usage, but the GPU only sits around 20–30% usage. After 15–20 minutes, the graphics card temperature climbs to about 90°C and the entire PC freezes. One of the GPU fans does not spin, and the card probably needs new thermal paste and thermal pads.
Could the overheating and faulty cooling 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 card will work normally again, or does Code 43 indicate permanent GPU damage?
3 Answers
Do not keep gaming on it at those temperatures while troubleshooting. Replace the failed fan or the complete fan unit, renew the thermal interface materials with correctly sized pads, and make sure the heatsink is mounted evenly. Also check that the power connectors and power supply are reliable. Afterward, run a controlled GPU stress test while watching temperatures and fan speed. If it still freezes or shows Code 43 when temperatures are normal, the overheating may have exposed an existing hardware failure.
The cooling problem should be addressed first. A fan that never spins may be defective, although some cards use zero-RPM mode and keep a fan stopped at low temperatures. Since the card reaches about 90°C and freezes under load, replacing the fan assembly and servicing the cooler is sensible. A repair shop can also inspect the heatsink, pads, power circuitry, and the GPU itself.
Code 43 is not automatically proof that the GPU is dead. Windows can show it after a serious driver or hardware crash, and reinstalling the driver may temporarily clear it. However, repeated crashes can also indicate damaged VRAM, the GPU core, a power-delivery problem, or a failing card. Fix the cooling first, then test with a clean driver installation and monitor temperatures, clocks, and stability.
A normal restart not causing Code 43 is a useful clue that the gaming crash is triggering it, but it still does not prove heat is the only fault. If the error continues after proper cooling and stable power, the card likely needs board-level diagnosis or replacement.
The Code 43 only returns after the card crashes at high temperature. If the card stays cool after the repair, could the error disappear permanently?