Graphics cards, those powerhouse champs behind our computer screens, wield the magic of conjuring vivid imagery, amplifying gaming adventures, and tackling those mind-bending visual tasks. Yet, for all their glory, these hardware heroes walk the tightrope of vulnerability, often stumbling into the abyss of system frustrations due to occasional malfunctioning.

A graphics card can go kaput due to a bunch of reasons, like getting too toasty, having electrical hiccups, or taking a physical beating. As time marches on, these problems might start showing up as funky patterns on your screen, your system throwing tantrums by showing you show BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) Error, or even your computer giving up on waking up.

Spotting these red flags is like detective work. Weird shapes or wonky colors popping up when everything should look normal? That’s a sign! Plus, if your system keeps crashing or playing dead without a legit reason, your graphics card might be up to some mischief.

But hold your horses before grabbing that toolbox! Pinning down the actual issue is key. Sometimes, it’s not just the graphics card acting up; other culprits like the Video Drivers or computer Motherboard might be in on the scheme. A little detective work to suss out the root problem ensures you’re fixing the right thing.

So, Let’s See How Reflowing Graphics Card Can Help

When your computer’s graphics card goes full throttle, like when you’re knee-deep in an epic gaming marathon or tackling hefty computing tasks, it heats up like a microwave on overdrive. But if it keeps cooking without a breather, things can go south real quick. That relentless heat can mess with the tiny solder joints under the Graphics Card’s GPU Chip, making them weaker than a soggy biscuit.how cold solder looks like under the chip

And guess what? If you throw humidity into the mix, it’s like adding fuel to the fire. Moisture loves to team up with heat, creating a recipe for trouble. It sneaks into the GPU’s delicate bits, starting a rust party that weakens connections and messes with the electric vibes. That corrosion stuff? It’s like the rust monster’s cousin, eating away at the conductive bits and turning everything into a rusty mess. In the end, it’s bad news for your graphics card’s mojo.

how cracked solder joint looks like under the chip

When it comes to fixing these problems, reflow soldering takes the crown. Repair pros swear by it for a reason—it works like a charm. Picture this: you zap the solder with crazy-high heat until it goes from solid to liquid. Why? To patch up those connections between the electronic bits on the graphics card’s motherboard. It’s like a magic spell to revive your GPU’s brain, making sure everything runs smooth as silk again.

If your graphics card is still under warranty, I’d recommend steering clear of DIY fixes. Better to play it safe! Take that card out of your computer and hand it over to the manufacturer’s service center. Or, you can give a shout to their customer support—they might have some tricks up their sleeves. Can’t guarantee a perfect fix, but hey, this tutorial has been a lifesaver for lots of folks in sorting out these issues.

So Let’s See How To Reflow The Graphics Card’s GPU Chip;

Fixing up that GPU chip on your graphics card is like performing a high-stakes surgery for tech-heads. I’ve got your back with this step-by-step guide to make it as smooth as butter:

  1. Remove the Faulty Graphics Card from Your Desktop’s Cabinet: First things first, power down your computer and unplug all the cables to keep things safe. Then, gently unscrew and disconnect the graphics card from the motherboard. Handle it carefully to avoid static or any bumps.
  2. Remove the Graphics Card’s Heatsink to Expose the GPU Chip: To get to the GPU chip, you’ll have to say goodbye to the heatsink attached to the card. Carefully unscrew it, noting any gooey stuff like thermal pads or paste. This step is your ticket to reaching the all-important GPU chip.
  3. Clean Your Graphics Card, Heatsink, and Fans: Grab a can of compressed air and give your graphics card, heatsink, and fans a good cleaning. Direct the air into the nooks and crannies to blast away any dust and gunk. This clean-up job sets the stage for a smooth reflow and avoids any blockages during the repair.
  4. Bathe the Graphics Card’s Motherboard with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol: Take a soft paintbrush with long bristles and dip it into 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. Gently brush the graphics card’s motherboard. The alcohol works like a charm, wiping away any leftover dirt or grease that might mess with the reflow. Make sure you cover everything without soaking it. Let the motherboard dry completely before moving forward.
  5. Load the Syringe with Liquid Flux: Grab a syringe filled with special liquid flux made for SMD components. Carefully position the syringe tip under the edges of the main GPU chip. Insert a bit of flux evenly around the chip’s edges. This flux is like a magic potion, making sure the solder connections during the reflow are top-notch for better performance.
  6. Cover the Whole Motherboard, Exposing Only the GPU Chip: Wrap up the entire motherboard, leaving only the GPU chip exposed. Use something like aluminum foil or heat-resistant tape to shield the other parts. This cover-up keeps those nearby components safe from getting too toasty during the reflow and avoids any potential harm.Shield the Motherboard
  7. Preheat the Heat Gun and Set the Temperature: Get your hands on an air-controlled heat gun specially made for fixing electronics. Set the temperature between 190 to 200°C (at most) to make sure you’ve got the right heat for this job. Let the heat gun reach the desired temperature before moving forward.
  8. Heat the GPU Chip for 2 to 3 Minutes: Keep the heat gun at a safe distance and evenly apply heat to the GPU chip for about 2 to 3 minutes. Move the gun in circles or back and forth to spread the heat evenly. This gentle warming helps soften the solder connections, making them flexible for a potential fix-up.Heat the GPU
  9. Cool Down the Graphics Card: After the heat treatment, let your graphics card cool down slowly. Avoid any sudden temperature changes to prevent any shock that could harm the connections you’ve just repaired. Let the card cool naturally to room temperature or use a cooling pad for a gradual cooldown.Cool Down
  10. Wipe Off the Flux with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol: Take a cloth or cotton swab soaked in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and gently wipe away any extra flux from the GPU chip and its surroundings. Clean thoroughly to remove all the leftover flux, as it could mess with the card’s performance if left hanging around.
  11. Assemble Everything Back and Test: Put your graphics card back in one piece—reattach the heatsink, fans, and any parts you removed. Slot the card back into the motherboard, making sure it’s snug and secure. Plug in all the cables and power up your computer. Test out the graphics card to see if the reflow fixed up the initial issues, ensuring it’s running smooth and dandy.

If your graphics card is still acting up even after the first reflow, don’t throw in the towel just yet! You’ve got another shot at this. Here’s the secret sauce: give it another go-round, but this time, crank up the heat for an extra 2 minutes at a toasty 240 degrees Celsius.

What to do if nothing works? Answer: Reballing – What It Is And How To Do It?

Need a heat gun, liquid flux, or a screwdriver kit?

Heat Gun With Air Control Starts From: @Amazon US ($28.99), @Amazon UK (£25.99), @Amazon IND (₹799.00), @Walmart US ($29.99), @Newegg ($35.99).

 

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Screwdriver Kit Starts From: @Amazon US ($9.99), @Amazon UK (£9.99), @Amazon IND (₹149.00), @Walmart US ($9.99), @Newegg ($10.99).


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3 COMMENTS

  1. my laptop fan is running, giving air but there is black screen of my laptop make Sony E series, it display now nothing. Went to Laptop repair shop at Sector 20-C, Chandigarh. He did somthing and return it to me after half an hour with a guarantee of 10 days and charged Rs. 2000/- from me. When i was seeing movie it got closed and same problem arises again. what is your advise now. i do not want to get it repair from Laptop repairing shop. There is a a lot of exploitation by Laptop repair mechanics. what should i do now.

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