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PC goes black screen while gaming (PC still working)

Anonymous
2025-07-03T18:27:53+00:00

Hey!
Yesterday, for no reason, my PC started to go black screen 5-10 minutes after launching a game.
I was using my PC as usual.
When it goes black screen, my PC still working - all the fans are spinning, I can hear system and game sounds.
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B doesn't help me at all.
Also, very rarely, when it goes black screen, GPU fans start to spin at maximum speed, and some indicator on GPU (I have Gigabyte RTX 3060 Ti), the one that is above a PSU wire that connects to GPU, starts to light.

It all happened very unexpectedly and randomly.

Windows for home | Other | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-07-04T02:24:12+00:00

    Hello Sofia Starberry,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    Thanks for the detailed description—this issue with your Gigabyte RTX 3060 Ti is unfortunately not uncommon. Based on community reports and expert troubleshooting guides, here are the most likely causes and solutions:

    Common Causes of Black Screen + Max GPU Fan Behavior

    1. Overheating or Thermal Panic Mode  

       When the GPU overheats, it may trigger a "panic mode" where the fans ramp up to 100% and the display cuts out.

    1. Faulty or Loose Power Connections  

       A poor connection between the PSU and GPU (especially the 8-pin connector) can cause instability under load.

    1. Driver Issues or Corruption  

       A corrupted or incompatible driver can cause crashes during gaming. Clean reinstalling drivers using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) is often recommended.

    1. PCIe Slot Configuration  

       Some users fixed the issue by manually setting the PCIe slot to Gen 3 in the BIOS instead of "Auto".

    1. Faulty HDMI/DisplayPort Cable or Monitor Sync Issues  

       A low-quality or failing cable can cause black screens during GPU load. Switching to a different cable or port has resolved the issue for many.

    1. Insufficient or Unstable PSU  

       A 600–650W PSU may be borderline depending on your full system load. If the PSU can't deliver stable power, the GPU may crash under stress.

    1. Physical GPU Seating or Damage  

       Reseating the GPU or checking for physical damage (bent pins, dust, etc.) has helped some users.

    1. Check GPU Temperatures

       - Use MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to log temps before the crash.

       - If temps spike above 85–90°C, consider repasting or cleaning the GPU.

    1. Reseat GPU and Power Cables

       - Fully remove and reinsert the GPU.

       - Ensure the 8-pin power connector is firmly seated.

    1. Switch Display Cable

       - Try a different HDMI or DisplayPort cable.

       - If possible, test with another monitor.

    1. BIOS Settings

       - Enter BIOS and set PCIe slot to Gen 3 manually.

    1. Clean Driver Reinstall

       - Use DDU to uninstall current drivers.

       - Reinstall the latest stable NVIDIA drivers from their official site.

    1. Test with Another PSU or GPU

       - If available, test your GPU in another system or try a different PSU in yours.

    1. Monitor Event Viewer Logs

       - Check Windows Event Viewer for GPU-related errors or driver crashes.

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