What is CORE-CLK-CRASH?
CORE-CLK-CRASH shows up as a high-severity graphics card (GPU) fault. The core of the graphics card crashes when switching to 3D load. Typical causes include high temperatures, wear of memory chips, faulty driver and poor quality video cable. Follow the steps below to fix it.
Common Causes
- High temperatures
- Wear of memory chips
- Faulty driver
- Poor quality video cable
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
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1
Install the older stable driver using DDU
Install the older stable driver using DDU is the first thing worth trying, since it resolves CORE-CLK-CRASH for most affected systems.
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2
Replace the cable with a certified
Not every case resolves on the first try; the steps that follow cover rarer gpu instability situations.
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3
Underclock the memory in MSI Afterburner
This step, "Underclock the memory in MSI Afterburner", specifically rules out wear of memory chips.
Commands & Diagnostics
dxdiag
nvidia-smi
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, high temperatures is behind CORE-CLK-CRASH. Wear of memory chips, faulty driver and poor quality video cable can trigger it too.
"Install the older stable driver using DDU" clears up most CORE-CLK-CRASH reports by itself. The remaining steps above cover what's left.
Rated high severity — CORE-CLK-CRASH isn't immediately destructive, but recurring instances are a sign to fix it sooner rather than later.
You shouldn't need to. Work through the guide above first — a reinstall is only worth considering if none of those steps help.
Yes — GPU or memory overclocking is one of the most frequent triggers for CORE-CLK-CRASH. 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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