NVIDIA's RTX 5060 GPUs have recently been at the center of a troubling issue, with numerous users reporting incidents of blank and black screens. This persistent problem has led NVIDIA to respond with a new firmware update designed to alleviate these concerns. The RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti models are particularly affected, with reports of bricking being alarmingly common.
The black screen issue does not discriminate, as no GPU in the RTX 50 series has been completely spared from this malfunction. While the RTX 5060 series is relatively new, it appears to be facing similar challenges. Users across various social media platforms and NVIDIA's official forums have shared their experiences, indicating that the situation is quite complex. Many have encountered system crashes or freezes, which often lead to a blank screen at inopportune moments, regardless of whether they are running intensive applications.
In some troubling instances, users have reported being unable to reach even the BIOS screen, a scenario that many find perplexing. One NVIDIA employee recently engaged with users by offering troubleshooting steps, but ultimately, if the issue persists, affected users may need to send their crash dump files directly to NVIDIA for further analysis.
In an effort to address the black screen issue impacting the RTX 5060 series, NVIDIA has released a new firmware update. This update, known as the GPU UEFI Firmware Update Tool v2.0, is specifically aimed at users experiencing difficulties during system reboots. It’s important to note that NVIDIA has cautioned users to apply this update only if they encounter black screens after rebooting their systems, emphasizing that it may not serve as a comprehensive solution for all users.
Despite the release of the firmware, many users have reported difficulties even getting their systems to boot initially after installing the RTX 5060 Ti. Some have faced issues with the graphics card not functioning properly, even when drivers are installed. Others have managed to boot into their operating system only in safe mode, which is far from ideal for regular usage.
NVIDIA has provided several recommendations to help users troubleshoot the black screen issue. These steps include:
Completely power down your system before attempting to boot. Ensure you are using the latest SBIOS from your motherboard vendor. Confirm that your system is set to UEFI boot mode and not Legacy/CSM Boot. Use an alternate graphics source, such as a secondary card or integrated graphics. After powering on, allow your operating system to load with the graphics driver installed.NVIDIA has strongly advised against using Legacy/CSM boot mode. However, if users find that their motherboards do not support UEFI mode, they should reach out to customer service for their GPU manufacturer to inquire about a Legacy VBIOS update.
The ongoing black screen issue affecting NVIDIA's RTX 5060 GPUs is a significant concern for users and the company alike. With the recent firmware update, NVIDIA aims to provide a solution, but the complexity of the problem means that not all users will find relief. Following the recommended troubleshooting steps may help alleviate some issues, but ongoing vigilance and communication with NVIDIA may be necessary for those still experiencing difficulties.