If the Video card is not detected but the fan is spinning, then here are the suggestions to help you fix the paradoxical situation. There can be multiple reasons behind this problem. From physical damage to software issues, anything can be responsible for the problem. But among all, hardware damage is often found to be the primary culprit. Nevertheless, here’s how to solve the problem.

Video card not detected but fan is spinning

Below are the solutions you can try if the Video card is not detected but the fan is spinning, on our Windows computer:

1. Check the connection
2. Check the GPU Slot
3. Enable the Graphics Card
4. Update the driver
5. Use Command Prompt
6. Reset BIOS

Now, let’s check out all these solutions in detail.

1] Check the connection

Before trying anything technical, the first thing you should check is the connection. In most cases, it has been noticed that the problem is mainly caused due to damaged or loose connection. If this is the case with you as well, reconnect the cables and check if it solves the problem. Alternatively, you can switch to a different cable if the previous one has been damaged. Use the new cables and check if it solves the problem.

If it fixes the issue, you know the culprit, and you are good to go. But if the problem continues, try the next solution on the list.

2] Check the GPU Slot

As you must know, graphics cards are inserted into different motherboard slots. But in case you have inserted it in a damaged slot, you are most likely to face the problem in the question. In this case, open the back cover of your PC, and insert the graphics card into a different slot of the motherboard. Check if it solves the problem. If not, continue with the troubleshooting guide.

Read: The NVIDIA OpenGL driver detected a problem with the display driver

3] Enable the Graphics Card

It has been noticed that the mentioned issue mainly occurs if the graphics card is disabled in the Device Manager. If this is the case with you as well, you will have to manually enable the graphics card to solve the problem. You can do so by following the below steps.

1. To begin with, right-click on the Windows icon present in the Taskbar.
2. From the context menu, choose the Device Manager option.
3. Double-tap on Display adaptors to expand the option.
4. Locate the installed graphics card.
5. Right-click on it and select the Disable device option.
6. Now, restart your PC, and open Device Manager again after restart.
7. Right-click on the installed graphics card and choose Enable device option.

That’s it. Check whether it solves the problem or not. If not, try the next solution.

4] Update the driver

Not having the latest driver update can also be a significant reason behind the problem. You will have to download the latest driver update on your system to solve the issue. You can do so by following the below steps.

1. You can download the graphics driver update by visiting the manufacturer’s official website.
2. Head over to Windows Update to check for available graphics drivers updates.

Once done, check if the problem is fixed or not.

See: Windows computer doesn’t recognize the second GPU

5] Use Command Prompt

If updating the driver wasn’t helpful, the next thing you can try is to execute some codes in the command prompt. To do so, follow the below steps.

First off, open Command Prompt in the administrator mode.

Type the below-mentioned command and press the enter key.

bcdedit /set pciexpress forcedisable

Wait until the command is executed.

Once done, restart your Windows PC.

After restart, install the driver and check if the problem is fixed or not.

6] Reset BIOS

The mentioned issue can also be caused due to outdated BIOS. In this case, the best thing you can try is to update your BIOS and check if it solves the problem. If the problem continues, you will have to reset the BIOS to default settings to get rid of the issue.

Read: NVIDIA graphics card not detecting HDMI

Why is my GPU not being detected?

There can be multiple reasons why Windows struggles to detect the installed GPU. But among all, an outdated graphics driver update is often found to be the main culprit. You will have to download the latest driver update to fix the issue. Alternatively, the problem will also occur if the driver is disabled under the Device Manager.

Why is my GPU not showing up in Device Manager?

Device Manager features all the installed drivers on your system. But if it doesn’t display the installed GPU, then it indicates that there is some issue in the connection. Additionally, outdated graphics adaptors and hardware issues can also be responsible for the problem in question.

Read Next: MSI Afterburner not detecting GPU.