Summary: Is your GPU tab missing in Windows Task Manager? There could be several issues causing this problem, such as outdated graphics drivers or corrupted system files. Following some simple troubleshooting steps can help fix the issue. This blog will walk you through some simple yet powerful methods including the steps to troubleshoot common issues and help you display the GPU tab in Task Manager again.
A Windows Task Manager is a utility program that allows you to view and manage the processes or services that are running on a system. It provides information about CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. However, occasionally you may come across systems where the GPU tab is mysteriously missing from Task Manager. Hence, making it impossible to view the real time updates of the GPU usage.
But! Why do you need the GPU tab and what is the use of having the GPU tab in the task manager? Be patient we will surely discuss this in the blog and why it gets hidden in the task manager. This blog will discuss how you can bring back the GPU tab and make it visible in the task manager. So, let’s get to the roots of the issue and understand why this problem occurs and how can you fix this.
Potential Causes of the Issue
The GPU or Graphic Processing Unit tab displays information about the graphics card installed in the system and the applications and processes that are utilizing the GPU. Hence, monitoring GPU usage to identify in resource-heavy processes helps optimize performance and troubleshoot graphics issues, especially with games.
But, what if that is not visible in the task manager in Windows. At first, it seems like your graphics card isn’t being detected properly. But don’t panic just yet – there are several potential causes. Let’s learn how we can fix this.
1. Outdated or corrupted graphics driver
If the graphics driver is outdated or corrupted, it can cause the GPU to not be detected properly. Updating to the latest stable driver may resolve this issue.
2. Faulty installation or damaged graphics card
If the graphics card itself is faulty or damaged, it won’t be recognized by the system. This could prevent the GPU tab from appearing in Task Manager. Also, check if your GPU is properly installed. If you are using an integrated GPU, make sure your system recognizes it.
3. Insufficient system requirements
The Task Manager GPU view requires a certain minimum specification GPU. On older systems or integrated graphics, it may not have the capabilities to display GPU information.
4. Incompatible or missing GPU monitoring software
Some third-party overlay software is required for monitoring GPU usage in Task Manager. If this is corrupted, outdated or not installed, the tab will be absent.
5. Windows system files corruption
Corruption in core Windows system files can lead to GPU detection issues. Scanning and repairing system files may fix the missing tab problem.
Common GPU models that face this issue
Some common GPU models that users report, facing issues with the GPU not showing up in Task Manager include older and lower-end graphics cards. Though, it is difficult to identify specific GPU brands prone to this problem, as the causes can vary in each case.
The issues seem more prevalent with older GPU models from NVIDIA or AMD that have been in use for a longer period of time.
Some common factors reported are:
- Outdated/corrupt drivers
- Incompatible WDDM version
- Performance counter corruption
- Hardware degradation over time
Methods to fix this issue:
Resetting the performance counter, updating drivers, and ensuring the correct WDDM version is supported are some steps users have found helpful in resolving this issue. This section provides detailed, step-by-step methods to troubleshoot the potential issues for displaying your GPU in Task Manager.
1. Make the GPU Column Visible with Settings
The first thing you should attempt is making the GPU column visible. Sometimes, the column just gets hidden and can easily be displayed again.
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go to the Processes section.
- Now, right-click on the Name tab and check the GPU option from the checklist.
- Go to the View tab and check if GPU is listed under ‘Select columns’
- If not listed, click on ‘Select columns’ and check GPU. The GPU column should now be visible in Task Manager.
2. Rebuild the Performance Counter
If that doesn’t work, try rebuilding the performance counters, which can get corrupted and cause the GPU tab to disappear. Follow these steps to rebuild the performance counter:
- Right-click on the Windows Start Button and select Terminal (Admin) to open it, or launch Powershell as adminstrator.
- Type “lodctr /R” and press Enter to rebuild the performance counters.
Note – Please write it as lodctr (insert space)/R, else it will not work.
3. Check the WDDM version and update it
Another issue could be that your graphics card’s driver does not support the required WDDM 2.0 version. Check your driver version and ensure it is 2.0 or higher. If the driver is outdated, you can reinstall it using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box and type dxdiag.
- This will open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window.
- Navigate to the Display section from the top menu.
- Check for the Driver Model displaying the WDDM version under Drivers section.
- If it displays an old version (Below WDDM 2.0), update it.
- Download the Device Driver Uninstaller from a secure link.
- Run the DDU application and select your GPU type.
- Click “Clean and Restart” to remove all driver files.
- Download the latest driver from your GPU manufacturer website.
- Install the new driver and restart your computer.
4. Reset Windows
If all else fails, try resetting Windows by creating a bootable Windows installation media and using it to reset your system. This will wipe out any corrupted files preventing the GPU tab from displaying in the Task Manager.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get Started and choose to keep files.
- This will refresh Windows without deleting personal files.
- For Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.
However, certain risks of data loss are there due to trouble or interruption in the reset windows process.
Can Fixing the GPU Tab Not Showing in Task Manager cause data loss?
The above fixes to resolve the issue of your GPU tab disappearing from Task Manager are simple to perform. However, there is some risks of data loss, you should be aware of, when implementing these solutions.
Though making the GPU column visible and rebuilding the Performance counter is a safe option. Data loss is always a possibility when reinstalling drivers or resetting an OS as it involves removing and reinstalling files. Accidentally installing a malware infected update can also potentially delete or corrupt data. This can also harm or corrupt your hard drive and delete potential system files.
As DDU completely removes existing graphics drivers, and a Windows reset wipes Windows files and reinstalls the operating system. This means files can get deleted and if they are not backed up you may lose them.
If you are attempting these fixes, it’s highly recommended to back up important documents, photos, videos and any other irreplaceable data to an external drive before proceeding. Though if you have already lost your data, do not worry! You can look for data recovery options provided in the next section.
Some common scenarios of data loss are:
- Deletion of personal files during the driver removal or Windows reset process.
- Files in Downloads, Documents or desktop folders missing after the process if not backed up.
- Saved game progress or app data not carried over to the new installation.
- Loss of programs not reinstalled from installation media afterward.
- Inaccessible or files not opening due to malware infection during graphic drivers update.
How to recover accidentally lost data?
The first thing is to avoid usage of the data drive to avoid scenarios of permanent data loss. Lost files can be recovered using a professional data recovery software.
One great option is Stellar Data Recovery Professional. This software is able to restore deleted, lost, formatted or corrupted files from hard drives, memory cards, USBs and more due to its deep scan technology. A free scan allows previewing recoverable files before purchase.
To recover lost data, simply download Stellar Data Recovery Professional and run it, this will scan and restore deleted, lost or formatted files from hard drives, SSDs, memory cards, etc. within a few simple clicks.
End Notes
Task Manager displays information about all hardware components, including the graphics processing unit (GPU). Surprisingly, the GPU column can be invisible sometimes. However, systematically working through the above methods can resolve any cause preventing GPU visibility in Task Manager. We hope these solutions help resolve the GPU tab issue without data loss. But, if data loss occurs, Stellar Data Recovery Professional can be of great help in such scenarios.
