Overcoming the Nvidia Driver Dilemma: Seeking Solutions for Black Screen Issues

Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts!

Today, I find myself grappling with a perplexing issue that many of you may relate to. Since updating to driver version 576.xx for my Nvidia RTX 3080, I’ve been experiencing persistent black screens, leaving me quite frustrated and searching for answers.

My Setup:

For context, here’s a quick look at my system specifications:
– Operating System: Windows 10
– Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 3080 (12GB)
– Processor: Ryzen 7 5800X
– Memory: 32GB DDR4 RAM (3200 MHz)

The Problem:

The black screens seem to occur randomly, whether I’m gaming or simply using my computer. When this happens, the video output abruptly shuts down, and the system becomes unresponsive. Although audio continues to function (Discord still shows my video feed), it quickly becomes distorted.

A particularly troubling aspect is the difficulty I encounter when trying to reboot my system. Downgrading to driver version 572.xx often prevents me from booting even into the BIOS, indicated by a persistent white VGA light on the motherboard. After some time and retries, I can finally access it, but the issue persists.

Troubleshooting Attempts:

In my quest for a solution, I’ve explored nearly every fix I could think of, avoiding only a complete Windows reinstallation or replacing the GPU. Here’s a rundown of the steps I’ve taken:
– Reseated all essential components, including the GPU, CMOS battery, RAM, and PCIe card for WiFi and Bluetooth.
– Verified that all PSU connections were secure.
– Booted into Safe Mode and used DDU to revert to driver version 566.36.
– Booted into Safe Mode and returned to the latest driver version 576.52.
– Tested with both HDMI and DisplayPort monitors, ensuring proper connections by unplugging and reconnecting them.
– Disabled in-game and application overlays.
– Scrutinized event viewer logs and conducted SFC scans for system integrity.
– Updated Windows to the latest version.

Call for Help:

Has anyone else encountered similar black screen issues following this driver update? The timing seems too coincidental, and I’m concerned that it might be causing lasting damage to my system. If you have any suggestions or fixes that I haven’t tried yet, I would greatly appreciate your insights.

Thank