Troubleshooting a Nvidia 3060 GPU Issue: An IT Professional’s Dilemma

As an IT professional, I often pride myself on tackling a variety of technical challenges. However, even the most seasoned experts can find themselves stumped by unexpected glitches. Recently, I encountered a frustrating issue with a used laptop equipped with an Nvidia 3060 graphics card, and I am reaching out for insights from fellow tech enthusiasts.

After acquiring this laptop from my workplace, it operated smoothly for about two weeks. Unfortunately, the GPU ceased to function just a couple of days ago, leaving me puzzled. I initiated a thorough troubleshooting process, which included a series of methods in an attempt to revive the graphics card’s performance.

Here’s a brief overview of the steps I have taken so far:

1. Reinstalling Drivers: I began by reinstalling the latest graphics drivers, hoping to resolve any corrupt file issues.
2. Updating the BIOS: Ensuring the BIOS was up-to-date was another critical step in my diagnostic process.
3. Reverting Updates: I attempted to roll back recent BIOS and Windows updates that could have triggered the problem.
4. Uninstalling and Rolling Back Drivers: I also tried uninstalling the drivers and reverting to older versions to check for compatibility issues.
5. Reinstalling Windows: As a last resort, I reinstalled Windows entirely and even reverted to earlier versions, thinking this might clear up the issue.

Despite all these efforts, the graphics card still appears in the device manager without being recognized by any other applications. This leaves me scratching my head and seeking advice.

If you’ve encountered similar issues or have insights to share on how to troubleshoot a stubborn Nvidia 3060 GPU, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes a fresh perspective can make all the difference in solving a technical mystery. Thank you in advance for your support!