Troubleshooting GPU Driver Crashes After Updating MSI Afterburner and RTSS
Recent updates to system monitoring and overclocking tools can sometimes lead to unexpected stability issues. In particular, users have reported experiencing GPU driver crashes following updates to MSI Afterburner and RTSS (Rivatuner Statistics Server). If you’ve encountered similar problems, this article provides an overview of what might be causing these issues and suggests potential steps to resolve them.
Background
MSI Afterburner is a popular graphics card overclocking utility that allows users to tweak GPU settings and monitor hardware status in real-time. RTSS complements Afterburner by providing an overlay for in-game stats and system information. These tools are widely used by gamers and hardware enthusiasts for performance tuning and monitoring.
Recent Incidents
Some users, after updating MSI Afterburner and RTSS—often to resolve overlay visibility issues—have reported experiencing GPU driver crashes and system instability. Symptoms include:
- Screen freezing or blackouts during gaming or streaming sessions.
- GPU driver errors prompting system restarts.
- Full system resets when launching specific applications or games.
Case Overview
In a typical scenario, a user noticed that the overlay was not appearing in a game, prompting a manual uninstall and subsequent reinstallation of both MSI Afterburner and RTSS. Initially, the system appeared stable, but problems arose when attempting to run resource-intensive applications like Twitch streams or games. The user experienced screen freezes, black screens, driver error messages, and system restarts. Interestingly, after removing or avoiding the use of these tools, system stability was restored.
Potential Causes
While each system may differ, the following factors could contribute to such issues:
- Compatibility issues after recent software updates.
- Conflicts between GPU drivers and overlay applications.
- Incorrect or incompatible configurations within MSI Afterburner or RTSS.
- Driver corruption or outdated GPU drivers conflicting with monitoring tools.
- Overclocking settings that become unstable when hooks or overlays are active.
Recommended Troubleshooting Steps
If you experience similar symptoms, consider the following steps:
-
Uninstall MSI Afterburner and RTSS:
Temporarily remove these tools to verify if instability persists without them. -
Update GPU Drivers:
Ensure you have the latest GPU drivers directly from your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, etc.). -
Perform a Clean Driver Installation:
Use tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU
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