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Random Black Screen Crash during gaming

Anonymous
2021-02-07T17:41:57+00:00

Hi,

Occasionally (and seemingly at random) my PC crashes whilst gaming. What happens is my screen goes black, the GPU fans spin up like crazy (very noisy) and I seemingly can't do anything to get out of it except hold the power button to hard turn off the PC. Usually I can still hear game sound whilst this is happening though.

The games in which it happens seem to be World Of Tanks and War Thunder. The tech support from both of them have basically said: "problem is yours, deal with it". It also seems to happen more often on alt-tabbing in and out of games although it can also happen on entering a battle and whilst just clicking through the garage.

It can happen several times in one day and then not happen for weeks with the same use.

NVIDIA have also looked at a CPU-Z log file and said "we cant see anything there so good luck!"

My PC:
CPU = Intel i7 4790k (not overclocked)
GPU = KFA2 RTX 2070 Super  EX 1CLICK-OC 8192MB GDDR6  (again not Overclocked)

RAM = 16Gb Corsair Vengeance LP RAM in two 8Gb sticks at 1600MHz

PSU = Corsair SF750W

Motherboard = Gigabyte GA H81M-S2H

Monitor = Samsung CF791 34" ultrawide

OS = Windows 10

Sound = SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC (USB hardwired)

I keep windows and my the GPU drivers up to date (using windows update and NVIDIA GeForce Experience).

I think the motherboard bios is up to date and I think all the other drivers are up to date.

Does anyone have any idea as to what could be causing this crash or how to find out?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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9 answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-07T18:58:11+00:00

    I've done this step several times in the past but still the issue persists.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-02-07T18:29:29+00:00

    My name is Jan, I’m an Independent Advisor. I'll be happy to help you out today.

    These issues may occur if you have a faulty graphics driver, overheating, or can be an issue with the power supply.

    1. Try to reinstall the Nvidia graphics driver then select Clean Install.

    or try using the older drivers if you have issues with the latest.

    1. Uninstall the graphics driver using DDU.

    Display Driver Uninstaller

    https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-dr...

    Run the application from Safe mode.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/...

    Select Clean and restart

    Once the drivers are uninstalled

    Install the latest Graphics Card driver

    1. Make sure the power cables are connected firmly.

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-02-27T20:45:02+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    Firstly thank you for your continued support.
    I did a fresh install of Windows 10 (home edition this time) on a new SSD and the crash happened again so I'd guess that suggests its neither the drive nor the Windows intallation. I'll look into DriverMax. Thanks for the recommendation.

    Also downloading the RAM testers and the BSOD crash reporter.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-02-10T23:44:59+00:00

    That's probably a generic driver WIndows provides to at least have something in place when the chipset doesn't provide it any longer. It's entirely up to the PC or device maker's to provide drivers for their hardware, but unfortunately some like force obsolescence so we buy newer hardware. The most Microsoft can do in that case is try to provide a generic driver, as they aren't able to build newer drivers for millions of different pieces of hardware that are neglected by their manufacturer.

    There are also billions of drivers so prioritizing what goes into Windows onboard Drive Store or via WIndows Updates is such a mammoth task there will always be missing drivers we need to go find from the manufacturer's site, if necessary tracing the exact hardware using Hardware ID as shown here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    In some rare cases on old hardware I suggest to install DriverMax for it's two free drivers a day. It's the most reliable driver finder which searches by the hardware ID in it's huge driver database. Set a System Restore point first. You don't need to buy it, uninstall it when you're done: https://www.drivermax.com/

    If the problem doesn't repeat in the new account it confirms the frequent issue of corrupted account so you can either try to repair the old account by running a Repair Install from the stable new account, or move into the new account and set it up, eventually delete the old account and then if desired convert the new account to your MS Account.

    CRASHING PROCEDURE:

    If any steps cannot be performed normally then try them in Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

    1. To troubleshoot the Bluescreen, download, install and run BluescreenView from NirSoft here: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view....

    Report back the reported cause for further steps to fix it.

    Prepare and submit the BSOD crash report back here for a BSOD expert's analysis following these steps: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    1. Update your drivers from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.
    2. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

    1. If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1809 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...
    2. Test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:

    https://www.wikihow.com/Test-PC-RAM-with-MemTest86

    Run Crucial System Scanner to check the RAM is properly spec'd and configured, what upgrade options exist for first quality RAM: https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner?cm...

    1. Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:

    https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

    https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

    Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

    Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...


    But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    There is also an automated Fresh Start that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2021-02-07T19:03:38+00:00

    Thank you for updating me about this issue.

    Maybe someone else in the community has an idea.

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