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Screens black out every now and again, sometimes turn off completely.

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  • screen
  • Graphics Cards
  • Devices
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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October 19, 2013 7:11:12 AM

I've been having this problem where my screens black out, as if they've been unplugged from the graphics card, and then turn back on after a second or two. Sometimes both screens turn on again and sometimes only the main screen. This black out is usually accompanied by that sound that windows makes when you unplug and then plug in again a USB device.

What could possibly be causing this in my PC? Is my graphics card busy dying? Could a USB device cause this?

More about : screens black turn completely

a b U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 7:18:14 AM

If you have an amd card I've had an issue where google chrome caused my screen to go black because of the driver. I would recommend downloading the latest drivers from the manufactures website. not amd or nvidia's built in update tool. The other thing you can try is using another cable, or cleaning out your system from dust and other nasty things that can cause your temps to go way up.
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October 19, 2013 7:28:51 AM

Not an AMD card, but yes, I think I'll clean it out. It started shortly after I started using my new headset, which has a USB connection, which is why I'm wondering if that is what's causing this.
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a b U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 7:36:41 AM

I guess what I would do is unplug your headset and just play some games for a few hours without it, that would make it a bit easier to pin point your issue. also make sure you have it plugged into the motherboard not the front header
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October 19, 2013 8:15:20 AM

It's also worth mentioning that the card is currently idling at 74C and peaking at 105C, which seems a bit excessive.
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a c 273 U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 8:49:37 AM

Fireprufe15 said:
It's also worth mentioning that the card is currently idling at 74C and peaking at 105C, which seems a bit excessive.


That sounds like it's shutting down to save itself. What card is it?
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a b U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 9:02:36 AM

unless you have a gtx 480, that is a huge temperature problem, you probably should clean your system and you card, I would almost recommend reapplying some thermal compound to your card, and checking for good airflow
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October 19, 2013 9:02:53 AM

It's a Geforce GTS 250 512 MB. (Yes I know it's rather old)
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a b U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 9:08:15 AM

Then yeah, you should clean it out and reapply some compound. The worst thing that it could be is that your card is at it's end point, doing as I said may or may not improve temps. another thing you could do is if you have an extra fan and a case with an option to mount one on the side could fix it a little for direct cooling from the fan onto the card.
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a c 273 U Graphics card
October 19, 2013 9:10:18 AM

eatmypie said:
Then yeah, you should clean it out and reapply some compound. The worst thing that it could be is that your card is at it's end point, doing as I said may or may not improve temps. another thing you could do is if you have an extra fan and a case with an option to mount one on the side could fix it a little for direct cooling from the fan onto the card.


+1 to this, and check that the fan(s) spin freely as well.
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