Unintentionally uninstalled my Nvidia graphics card from Device Manager — now it’s missing entirely

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Troubleshooting a Missing Nvidia GPU on an Asus Rog Strix GL553VW: A Personal Journey

If you’ve ever found yourself in a predicament with your laptop’s graphics, you’re not alone. Recently, I encountered a frustrating issue with my Asus Rog Strix GL553VW, which is equipped with both Intel HD Graphics 530 and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M. After inadvertently removing the Nvidia GPU from the device manager, it vanished entirely, and no amount of troubleshooting seemed to bring it back.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps I attempted to rectify the situation:

  1. Manual Driver Installation: I extracted the Nvidia drivers in hopes of installing them manually, but to no avail.

  2. Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU): I booted into Safe Mode and used DDU to try and remove any remnants of the Nvidia driver. Unfortunately, the installer still failed to recognize my GPU during the subsequent driver reinstallation.

  3. Windows 10 Reset: As a last-ditch effort, I reset Windows 10, but my Nvidia GPU remained undetected.

  4. BIOS Battery Reinsert: I even tried removing and reinserting the BIOS battery, hoping for a miraculous recovery.

Despite all these efforts, my laptop’s performance suffered significantly, rendering it almost unusable. As I reached out for assistance, I realized that the issue likely stemmed from hardware failure rather than software complications. After some investigation, I came to the conclusion that poor soldering from the manufacturer might be at the root of the problem.

With my laptop being a second-hand purchase and outside the original manufacturer’s warranty, the best course of action appeared to be seeking professional repair services. While it’s disappointing to confront hardware issues, especially in a high-performance gaming laptop, I’m hopeful that expert help will provide a viable solution.

Thanks to everyone who offered their support and suggestions throughout this ordeal. Sometimes, technology can be as unpredictable as it is amazing, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn—even if it’s about realizing when it’s time to get professional assistance.

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One Comment

  1. It sounds like you’ve already taken several thorough troubleshooting steps, which is great. Since the Nvidia GPU is missing entirely from Device Manager and driver reinstallation hasn’t worked, this could indeed point to a hardware issue, such as a failed solder connection or a faulty GPU. Given the complexity and the symptoms described, I recommend the following additional steps:

    • Check Hardware Connection: If you’re comfortable with hardware, consider carefully opening the laptop to verify that the GPU is properly seated. Be cautious and ensure static safety.
    • Use Hardware Diagnostics: Run any available hardware diagnostics tools provided by Asus or third-party utilities to check for GPU or motherboard issues.
    • Consult a Professional Technician: Since you suspect hardware failure, professional repair services can perform detailed diagnostics, including assessing solder joints or replacing the GPU if necessary.
    • Consider GPU Reflow or Repair: For soldering issues, specialized services such as GPU reflow or replacement might be viable, especially if you have confirmed hardware failure.

    Given the age and circumstances of the device, weigh the costs and benefits of repair versus replacement. Ensuring safe handling and consulting qualified technicians can help avoid further damage. Good luck with your repair process, and I hope your laptop is back to optimal performance soon!

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