Radeon 7700xt on MSI B650 not showing up in device manager

Troubleshooting Radeon 7700 XT Not Detecting on MSI B650 Motherboard: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’ve recently installed a Radeon 7700 XT graphics card into your MSI B650 motherboard and it isn’t appearing in Windows 11 Pro’s Device Manager, you’re not alone. This common issue can stem from various hardware or software configuration problems. In this article, we’ll explore potential causes and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve the detection problem and get your graphics card up and running smoothly.

Understanding the Issue

The core of the problem is that the Radeon 7700 XT is not showing up in Device Manager, indicating that Windows isn’t recognizing the device. Notably, there are no unidentified or hidden devices listed, which suggests the hardware isn’t detected at all. Such issues often relate to BIOS settings, driver conflicts, or physical connection problems.

Key Troubleshooting Steps

Verify Hardware Connections
Ensure that the Radeon 7700 XT is properly seated in the PCIe slot. Remove and re-insert the card carefully to confirm proper contact.
Check that power connectors are securely plugged into the graphics card. Many modern GPUs require supplemental power; missing or loose cables can prevent detection.
If available, try installing the GPU into a different PCIe slot to rule out slot-specific issues.
Confirm BIOS Settings
Access your motherboard’s BIOS/UEFI firmware during startup.
Verify that the Primary Graphics Adapter is set to PCIe/PEG rather than integrated graphics.
Test different PCIe configurations: Auto, Gen3, Gen4.
Disable power-saving features that might interfere with hardware detection, such as PCIe ASPM or Link Power Management.
Update BIOS Firmware
Visit MSI’s official website to download the latest BIOS update for your B650 motherboard model.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to update the BIOS, as outdated firmware can cause hardware compatibility issues.
Check Device Manager and Windows Settings
Ensure that no devices are labeled as unknown or with error icons in Device Manager.
Run Windows update to ensure your system has the latest patches and drivers.
Use Windows Troubleshooter or the “Add Hardware” wizard to detect new devices manually.
Install or Update GPU Drivers
Download the latest Radeon drivers directly from AMD’s official website.
Install the drivers in a clean environment, possibly using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove previous driver remnants before installation.
Restart your system and check if the device appears