Dedicated NVIDIA GPU greyed out / Code 45 after reinstalling drivers on ASUS V16 laptop

Understanding and Resolving NVIDIA GPU Detection Issues on ASUS V16 Laptops: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Modern laptops often feature hybrid graphics systems, combining integrated processors with dedicated GPUs to balance performance and power efficiency. However, this setup can sometimes lead to driver conflicts or hardware recognition problems, especially following driver updates or system changes. If you’ve encountered a scenario where your NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU appears greyed out in Device Manager with a Code 45 error—indicating the device is not connected—this article provides a thorough overview of causes and solutions to help you restore optimal performance.

Case Overview

• Device: ASUS V16-V3607-VH
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 6GB (dedicated GPU)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-2400H with integrated graphics
• Operating System: Windows 10

Symptoms Observed

• The dedicated NVIDIA GPU is disabled or greyed out in Device Manager.
• Lack of the “Enable” option upon right-clicking the device.
• Device status shows Code 45 error: “Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer.”
• NVIDIA Control Panel is inaccessible or missing.
• Windows display settings select “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter,” indicating loss of GPU recognition.
• BIOS settings show limited options—primarily DVMT pre-allocated memory with no option to disable the integrated graphics fully.
• After recent driver installations or system updates, the GPU was functioning normally but has now become unrecognized.

Common Troubleshooting Steps Attempted

1. Driver Reinstallation and Removal
   Using tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to thoroughly clean previous driver traces, followed by fresh driver installations directly from NVIDIA or ASUS support.

2. BIOS Settings Review
   Checking for any graphics-related options, such as discrete GPU enablement or hybrid modes. In this case, BIOS settings appear limited, with only DVMT memory adjustments available.

3. Hardware and Driver Compatibility Checks
   Ensuring installed drivers match the laptop model specifications and verifying that the system recognizes the hardware at a hardware level.

4. Safe Mode Troubleshooting
   Performing driver clean-up and reinstallation in Safe Mode to eliminate conflicts.

Potential Causes and Considerations

• Hardware Connection Issues: The Code 45 error often indicates a hardware disconnection, which could be physical (rare in new devices) or a driver/hardware