What is CODE-43-GPU?
Code 43 - GPU Stopped Windows ranks as a high-severity graphics card (GPU) issue in our database. Windows stopped the GPU in Device Manager. The driver reported an unrecoverable error to the kernel. The most common GPU error after driver issues. Common triggers are insufficient power supply and overheating. See the troubleshooting steps below for the fix.
Common Causes
- Corrupted GPU driver
- Insufficient power supply
- Overheating
- Incompatible driver
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Clean driver reinstall via DDU in Safe Mode
In our testing, Clean driver reinstall via DDU in Safe Mode alone clears up CODE-43-GPU more often than any other single step.
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2
Check GPU power and temperatures
Persistent cases usually stem from less common gpu instability factors, which the following steps are built to catch.
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3
Try an older version of the driver
If earlier steps didn't help, "Try an older version of the driver" directly addresses corrupted GPU driver.
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4
Check the PCIe slot
"Check the PCIe slot" handles an edge case some users report with CODE-43-GPU.
Commands & Diagnostics
pnputil /enum-drivers
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, corrupted GPU driver is behind CODE-43-GPU. Insufficient power supply, overheating and incompatible driver can trigger it too.
Try "Clean driver reinstall via DDU in Safe Mode" first — it resolves most CODE-43-GPU cases on its own. Only work through the rest of the guide above if it comes back.
Rated high severity — CODE-43-GPU isn't immediately destructive, but recurring instances are a sign to fix it sooner rather than later.
Usually. CODE-43-GPU is fixable with the steps above; a full Windows reinstall is rarely necessary unless everything else has failed.
Yes — GPU or memory overclocking is one of the most frequent triggers for CODE-43-GPU. Try resetting your GPU to stock clocks using MSI Afterburner or your OC software, then test for stability before investigating other causes.
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