Fix: RTX 4090 and 4080 Not Utilizing 100% GPU

NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 and 4080 are the most powerful GPUs on the market, designed to deliver maximum performance and graphical fidelity. However, some users have reported that these high-end graphics cards are not utilizing 100% of their potential. This can result in poor frame rates and stuttering, ruining the gaming experience. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this issue. This article will explore the most common causes of low GPU utilization and their solutions.

Why is my RTX 4090 / 4080 Not Utilizing 100% GPU?

If you are experiencing lower-than-expected GPU utilization with your RTX 4090 or 4080, there are a few reasons why this might be happening:

1. Not So Demanding Game: If your game is not so demanding and doesn’t need too much power, your GPU will certainly not hit the 100% utilization mark. Try playing a demanding game and see if that helps.
2. Bottlenecks in other system components: The GPU is just one part of a larger system, and if other components, such as the CPU or RAM, are not up to par, this can create a bottleneck and limit the performance of the GPU. You should ensure that your other system components are adequate for your intended use.
3. Power limitations: The RTX 4090 and 4080 are power-hungry GPUs that require a lot of electricity to operate at maximum performance. If your power supply unit (PSU) is not delivering enough power, the GPU may not be able to achieve 100% utilization.
4. Thermal throttling: When a GPU gets too hot, it automatically reduces its clock speed to prevent damage. This can limit performance and prevent the GPU from achieving 100% utilization.
5. Driver issues: Outdated or incorrect graphics card drivers can limit GPU performance.
6. Application limitations: Some applications may not be optimized to fully utilise the RTX 4090 or 4080 capabilities. Make sure that you are using applications designed to take advantage of the power of your GPU.
7. GPU settings: Some settings, such as vsync or frame rate limits, may be capping your GPU’s utilization.

How to Fix RTX 4090 and 4080 Not Utilizing 100% GPU

Now that you know some of the most common causes of this issue, we can begin fixing the problem. There are several fixes that you can try to fix the issue. However, we have compiled the most effective solutions in this article. So, try all the solutions until the GPU starts utilizing 100% GPU.

Fix 1: Make Sure you are Using the Dedicated Graphics

One possible cause of low GPU utilization is that your computer uses your CPU’s integrated graphics instead of the dedicated graphics card. This can occur when you have an old graphics card or when using a laptop.

To fix this, you need to disable the integrated GPU in the BIOS. Find an option named “Internal Graphics” or “Graphics Device” and change it from “Integrated” or “Auto” to “Disabled” or “Dedicated Graphics”.

You can also select the graphics card on a per-app basis in Windows:

1. Click on the Start icon and type Graphics Settings.
2. Under the Graphics performance preference folder, click on Browse.
3. Then, locate the game folder and select “High Performance.”

Fix 2: Update your Graphics Drivers

Another possible cause of low GPU utilization is outdated or corrupted graphics drivers. To fix this, ensure you have the latest drivers installed, which can be downloaded from the Nvidia website. Here’s how to update your graphics drivers:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager.
2. Then, click on the arrow next to Display adapters.
3. Find your NVIDIA GeForce driver and right-click on it.
4. From the context menu, select Update driver.
5. Then, click on Search automatically for drivers. Please restart your computer once it’s done.
6. If that doesn’t help, download the latest NVIDIA drivers for your GPU from the official website.
7. Then, go back and click on Browse my computer for drivers.
8. Select the drivers that you just downloaded.
9. Once the driver is installed, restart your computer.

Fix 3: Reinstall your Graphics Drivers

If updating the drivers doesn’t work, try reinstalling them. This will delete the old driver files and hopefully fix any issues that the old driver updates might have caused. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager.
2. Then, click on the arrow next to Display adapters.
3. Find your NVIDIA GeForce driver and right-click on it.
4. From the list of options, select Update device.
5. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically install the latest drivers.

Fix 4: Uninstall Malicious Software

Malware or viruses can cause low GPU utilization by using up system resources. If any malicious software is on your computer, remove it immediately. Try identifying the malicious software using an antivirus or Windows Defender Firewall. Once you know the software that needs to be uninstalled, you can follow the steps below to uninstall it:

1. Click on the Search icon and type Control Panel.
2. Click on Programs & Features.
3. Then, click on Uninstall a program.
4. Find the program(s) you want to uninstall and right-click on it.
5. Finally, click Uninstall.
6. Do the same for all other malicious programs and restart your computer.

Fix 5: Disable your Antivirus Temporarily

Sometimes, antivirus programs can interfere with the graphics card and cause low GPU utilization on your RTX 4090 and 4080. Try disabling your antivirus temporarily and see if that fixes the issue.

The first step is to check if your antivirus software is causing the issue. Temporarily disable it and see if your GPU usage improves. If it does, add an exception for your game or software in your antivirus settings.

If disabling your antivirus doesn’t work, try uninstalling it and see if that fixes the issue. If it does, you should consider using a different antivirus program or not using one altogether. This is because Windows already has built-in antivirus software, which is Windows Defender Firewall.

Fix 6: Enable Performance Mode for your GPU

Almost all GPUs come with a performance mode option that allows the GPU to run at higher clock speeds and voltages for better performance. If your GPU isn’t in performance mode, it might be running at lower clock speeds and voltages, resulting in lower GPU usage on your RTX 4090 and 4080.

Enabling Performance Mode can increase GPU utilization by allowing it to run at maximum clock speeds. To enable performance mode on your RTX 4090 and 4080, follow these steps:

1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Navigate to the (Use the advanced 3D image settings) Manage 3D settings.
3. Then, click on Take me there.
4. Find the Power management mode setting.
5. Please change it to Prefer maximum performance.
6. Apply the changes and restart your computer.

Fix 7: Check for CPU or Memory Bottleneck

A bottleneck in the CPU or memory can also cause low GPU utilization. A bottleneck is when one of your system components hinders the performance of other components. In your case, the CPU or the RAM could be bottlenecking your GPU.

If your CPU or RAM is bottlenecking your system, your GPU won’t be able to reach 100% usage. This can happen if your CPU or RAM is too old or too slow for your GPU. Here’s how to check for a bottleneck:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. Monitor the CPU and memory usage while running the game.
3. If either of these resources is maxed out, you must upgrade them to achieve maximum GPU utilization.

To fix a CPU bottleneck, you might need to upgrade your CPU or overclock it if possible. To fix a memory bottleneck, you might need to upgrade your RAM or replace it with a faster one.

Fix 8: Try Playing a Different Game

Sometimes, low GPU utilization is specific to a particular game. If the game isn’t optimized or has bugs, it can result in lower GPU usage.

Try playing a different game to see if the issue persists. If the GPU utilization is high in other games, the problem may be with the game itself.

Fix 9: Perform a System Restore

If none of the above fixes works, you can try performing a system restore. This will roll back your computer to a previous point when it worked fine. Moreover, ensure you have a backup before proceeding, as a system restore will delete all your data.

To perform a system restore on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Search icon and type Control Panel.
2. Click on System and Security.
3. Then, select System. This will open the System Properties window.
4. Go to the System Protection tab and click on System Restore.
5. On the next window, click Next and select a restore point for your computer. Make sure you are selecting a restore point that is dated before the issue began.
6. Click on Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore.
7. Your computer will now restart, and the issue should be fixed.

Note that a system restore will undo any changes you made to your system since the restore point, including installing programs and drivers.

Fix 10: Reset your PC

If all else fails, you can try resetting your PC to its factory settings. This will remove all programs and files from your PC and reset it to its original state. To reset your PC, follow these steps:

Note: Resetting your PC to its default settings will erase all your data and programs, so make sure to take a backup of all your data before proceeding.

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Then, click on System from the left menu.
3. Select Recovery and then click on the Reset PC button.
4. You will now be presented with two options— Keep your Files or Remove everything. As it is apparent, the Keep my Files option will retain all your files. However, this option is not very effective. Hence, we recommend you take a backup of your files and go with the Remove everything option.
5. Now, select either Cloud reinstall or Local reinstall.
6. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
7. Resetting your PC can take longer than you would expect, so be patient.
8. Once the reset is complete, set up your computer again, and the GPU should be utilizing 100% resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I experiencing lower-than-expected GPU utilization on my RTX 4090 / 4080?

There are several reasons why you may experience lower-than-expected GPU utilization with their RTX 4090 or 4080. Some of these reasons include not playing demanding games, bottlenecks in other system components, power limitations, thermal throttling, driver issues, and application limitations.

What are some of the solutions to fix low GPU utilization with RTX 4090 / 4080?

There are several solutions to fix low GPU utilization with RTX 4090 or 4080, including making sure you are using the dedicated graphics, updating your graphics drivers, reinstalling your graphics drivers, uninstalling malicious software, and disabling your antivirus temporarily.

How can I update my NVIDIA RTX 4090 / 4080 drivers?

To update your NVIDIA RTX 4090 / 4080 drivers, press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager. Then, click on the arrow next to Display adapters, find your NVIDIA GeForce driver, and right-click on it. From the list of options, select Update driver. Then, click on Search automatically for drivers. Restart your computer once it’s done.

What are some signs of low GPU utilization?

Some signs of low GPU utilization include poor frame rates, stuttering, and lag during gameplay.

How can I check if my antivirus software is causing low GPU utilization?

You can check if your antivirus software is causing low GPU utilization by temporarily disabling it and seeing if the issue improves. If it does, you can add an exception for your game or software in your antivirus settings.

Final Words

GPU usage drops can be frustrating, but they can usually be fixed with some troubleshooting. If you’re still experiencing issues after trying all of these fixes, it might be time to contact a professional or your hardware manufacturer for further assistance. If you have any further questions about any of the fixes above, let us know in the comments section below. We will try to help you out.