Fix Graphics Card Missing in Windows Device Manager

If your PC can’t detect your graphics card, it may not be available in the device manager. This article explains the ways to fix graphics card missing in Windows Device Manager.

The Device Manager on Windows is a hub of all the devices installed on your computer. You can easily get the idea of any device driver status from it. In general, every device connected to your PC should be displayed in it. But, In some cases, for various reasons, one or more devices like graphics cards may not appear on the Windows device manager. Especially, NVIDIA graphics card users complain about this problem more. Though AMD users also may face this problem. If the situation is not worse, you can easily get rid of this situation.

Why My Graphics Card isn’t Showing Up in Device Manager?

It’s a bit tricky to specify the reason individually. But, There are some common errors that cause cause this problem. Here are they-

• Your graphics card hasn’t been connected properly.
• The graphics card is connected but Windows is unable to recognize it for some issues.
• Graphics Card is Damaged.

These are common things that can cause this problem. However, You always have options to fix this.

How to Fix Graphics Card Missing in Windows Device Manager

To fix this problem, you will have to follow the methods very carefully. Also, You will need to focus on what you are doing. As this problem’s origin may vary from users to users, not every method will work for you. However, here are the best ways to fix graphics card missing in Windows device manager.

1. Show Hidden Devices

For some reason, the GPU driver may be in the hidden list. As a result, you are not seeing the device name in the device manager. In this case, you can do the following things:

• At first, Open the command prompt on Windows.
• Now, Type the following commands and hit enter for each one.

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

start devmgmt.msc

• It will open the device manager too. In there, click on View and then click on Show Hidden Devices.
• Now, You may see various devices including the NVIDIA or AMD GPU devices. Uninstall them and also uninstall any problematic ones from the other.
• At last, Restart your computer.

It may fix NVIDIA or AMD graphics card missing on device manager problem.

2. Install/Update Missing Driver

When Windows Device Manager is unable to detect a graphics card, it means many things. But, One of the first things to do is installing/update the missing driver. In this case, You will have to rely on any of the third-party driver updaters. Anyway, here are the things you will have to do:

• At first, Download and Install Driver Booster, or Outbyte Driver Updater, or Driver Easy. You can use any other tools you want. But, These are the best tools available to update or install drivers on Windows 10, 8, or 7.
• Now, Scan for missing/outdated drivers and see if it finds the NVIDIA/AMD graphics card driver or not. If it finds any, update, or install that driver by a single click.
• You can now restart your computer.

It should make the GPU available in Windows device manager. However, If it doesn’t work, there are more methods to follow.

3. Enable Discrete GPU from BIOS

This is another method you can try to fix this problem. You could find relevant settings in your BIOS/UEFI dashboard and enable the discrete GPU from there if it was disabled for any reason. It may help.

If you don’t know how to get access to the BIOS/UEFI of your mother board, follow these steps.

• While booting up your PC, press del/F12/F2/F10. Which button you will have to press depends on your motherboard/laptop/PC mode. So, To get clear instructions, it’s better to visit the manufacturer’s website.
• Now, Find anything like GPU configuration. Different BIOS have different names and places for this settings. You will just need to figure it out.
• After that, enable the GPU and save the settings and restart your computer.

It will fix graphics card not available in windows device manager problem.

4. Restore Default Settings in BIOS

If you really can’t figure out what changes you have recently made in your BIOS, it is the way to go. It may help you to get rid of the graphics card missing from the device manager issue.

5. Uninstall Recent Updates

Have you updated Windows recently? It might be a reason behind this problem. So, You can consider uninstalling the recent Windows update and see if it fixes the problem. To uninstall Windows update, follow these instructions-

• At first, Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update on Windows 10.
• Then, Go to Update History > Uninstall Updates.
• Now, Uninstall the recent update and restart your PC.

Alternatively, You can use IObit Uninstaller to do it more conveniently. Hopefully, It will solve the graphics card is not showing up in Windows Device Manager.

5. Update BIOS

If the problem still exists, you may consider updating BIOS. To get the proper instructions to do it, read: How to Update BIOS

6. Check the Connected Port

If it is desktop, make sure you have connected your monitor with the dedicated GPU. By mistake, If you connect it with the built-in HDMI/Display/VGA port, the dedicated graphics card won’t appear in the Windows Device Manager.

Basically, These are the ways to fix NVIDIA or AMD graphics card is missing from Windows Device Manager. If you know any better method, you can input it in the comment box.