RTX 5090 and 5090D GPUs are experiencing widespread bricking issues after driver installation, primarily affecting ASUS, GIGABYTE, and COLORFUL models in China. Problems stem from driver incompatibility, BIOS conflicts, and PCIe 5.0 communication errors. Recovery methods exist, but success rates vary.
Multiple RTX 5090 and 5090D owners report their brand-new GPUs failing permanently after installing NVIDIA drivers. The issue has affected hundreds of users across Chinese tech forums and Reddit communities, with cards becoming completely undetectable by systems.
You’ll learn the exact causes behind these failures, which GPU models face the highest risk, and proven recovery methods that have saved bricked cards. This guide covers prevention strategies and diagnostic steps to protect your investment.
RTX 5090 5090D Bricked Issues Explained
The bricking phenomenon affects both RTX 5090 and RTX 5090D models, with the latter being NVIDIA’s export-modified variant designed for Chinese markets. All NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 & RTX 5090D GPUs are affected by the same issue, and there’s a high probability that the latest drivers will crash the card and make it unrecognizable by the system, according to third-party sellers on the Goofish marketplace.
Users report consistent failure patterns: upon initial driver installation, displays go dark, and systems permanently lose the ability to detect the GPU through both DisplayPort and HDMI interfaces. The timing is concerning—many cards fail during their first driver installation after purchase.
The issue spans multiple manufacturers. All the reported GPU failures are in China and just Asus and Gigabyte cards, though reports have expanded to include COLORFUL and Manli models. The geographic concentration suggests region-specific firmware or driver compatibility problems.
Primary Causes Behind GPU Failures
Driver incompatibility stands as the leading cause of RTX 5090 bricked issues. The failure pattern consistently occurs during initial driver installation, suggesting communication breakdowns between NVIDIA’s software and specific GPU firmware versions.
BIOS conflicts create another major failure point. Motherboard BIOS versions lack proper initialization protocols for RTX 5090 architecture, causing detection failures that render cards unusable. This affects both standard motherboards and high-end gaming systems.
PCIe 5.0 implementation problems compound the issue. Several issues, including initialization failures and PCIe 5.0 compatibility, are reportedly plaguing Nvidia’s RTX 50-series GPUs. The new PCIe standard requires specific motherboard support that many systems currently lack.
Power delivery inconsistencies contribute to permanent damage. Testing revealed that 16-pin power cables can melt under full load conditions, particularly with Corsair cables previously used on RTX 4080 models.
Affected GPU Models and Manufacturers
ASUS RTX 5090 models show the highest failure rates, particularly the TUF Gaming and ROG Strix variants. Users report complete system detection failures after driver installation attempts.
GIGABYTE RTX 5090 cards experience similar issues, with the Gaming OC and Eagle models most commonly affected. The failures occur across both standard and factory-overclocked variants.
COLORFUL RTX 5090D models face specific problems in Chinese markets. The manufacturer has acknowledged widespread issues but hasn’t released specific fix timelines.
Manli RTX 5090D cards show intermittent failure patterns. Some units recover after BIOS updates, while others remain permanently bricked.
High-risk model list:
- ASUS ROG Strix RTX 5090
- ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 5090
- GIGABYTE Gaming OC RTX 5090
- COLORFUL RTX 5090D Neptune
- Manli RTX 5090D Gallardo
Warning Signs Before Complete Failure
Display flickering during driver installation indicates potential bricking. If your screen shows intermittent black screens or artifacts during the setup process, stop immediately and restart without completing installation.
System stability issues appear before complete failure. Blue screens, random restarts, or Windows failing to detect the GPU properly suggest underlying compatibility problems.
Temperature spikes during light workloads signal power delivery issues. Monitor GPU temperatures closely—sudden increases without corresponding performance loads indicate hardware communication problems.
Audio crackling through HDMI connections often precedes display failures. This suggests signal integrity problems that can escalate to complete port failure.
Proven RTX 5090 Recovery Methods
BIOS Recovery Technique: Power down your system completely and remove the GPU. Clear the CMOS by removing the motherboard battery for 10 minutes. Reinstall the GPU and boot into safe mode. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to remove all NVIDIA drivers before attempting a fresh installation.
Firmware Recovery Process: Download NVIDIA’s official firmware recovery tool from their developer portal. Connect the GPU to a secondary system with known-working RTX series support. Run the recovery tool in administrator mode and follow the automated restoration process.
PCIe Slot Switching: Move the GPU to a different PCIe slot if available. Some motherboards have compatibility variations between slots. Test in PCIe 4.0 mode by adjusting BIOS settings to force backward compatibility.
Power Cable Replacement: Replace 16-pin power cables with NVIDIA-certified alternatives. Avoid using cables from previous GPU generations, as power delivery specifications differ significantly.
Prevention Strategies for New Buyers
Research motherboard compatibility before purchase. Check manufacturer websites for RTX 5090 support lists and required BIOS versions. Update your motherboard BIOS to the latest version before installing the GPU.
Use staging installation methods. Install the GPU without drivers first, ensuring Windows detects the hardware properly. Then install drivers in safe mode with the internet disabled to prevent automatic updates.
Verify power supply specifications match RTX 5090 requirements. NVIDIA started investigating the matter after bricking reports emerged, but prevention remains your best protection.
Monitor early warning signs during installation. Stop the process immediately if you notice display artifacts, system instability, or temperature anomalies.
Purchase from retailers with strong return policies. Given the ongoing issues, buy from stores that offer full refunds rather than exchange-only policies.
NVIDIA’s Official Response and Timeline
NVIDIA started investigating the matter in February 2025 after widespread reports emerged. The company acknowledged the issues but hasn’t provided specific timelines for fixes.
Official NVIDIA support recommends specific driver versions for affected regions. Chinese market RTX 5090D models require region-specific driver packages that differ from international releases.
The driver update roadmap includes PCIe 5.0 compatibility improvements scheduled for Q2 2025. However, no guarantees exist for recovering already-bricked units.
Warranty coverage extends to driver-related failures, but documentation requirements are strict. Keep detailed records of installation attempts and error messages for warranty claims.
When to Contact Professional Support
Attempt recovery methods only if you’re comfortable with hardware troubleshooting. Improper firmware recovery attempts can cause permanent damage beyond warranty coverage.
Contact manufacturer support if standard recovery methods fail. ASUS, GIGABYTE, and other manufacturers have established specific protocols for RTX 5090 bricking issues.
Consider professional data recovery services for critical workstations. Some specialized services can recover firmware from physically damaged GPUs, though costs often exceed card replacement prices.
Document all symptoms and recovery attempts before contacting support. Detailed logs improve your chances of successful warranty claims or professional recovery.
Final Thoughts on RTX 5090 Reliability
The RTX 5090 bricked issues represent serious early-adoption risks that potential buyers must consider. While high-end performance attracts enthusiasts, the current failure rates make immediate purchases risky for critical systems.
Wait for NVIDIA’s official fixes if you don’t need the GPU immediately. Driver stability should improve significantly over the next few months as compatibility issues get resolved.
Consider RTX 4090 alternatives for production environments where reliability outweighs cutting-edge performance. The established RTX 4090 ecosystem offers proven stability for professional workloads.
Monitor community forums for real-time updates on fix success rates. Reddit’s r/nvidia and Chinese tech communities provide the most current information on recovery methods and working driver versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bricked RTX 5090 cards be completely recovered?
Recovery success varies by failure type. Driver-related bricks often respond to firmware recovery methods, while hardware damage from power issues typically requires professional repair or replacement.
Which RTX 5090 models have the lowest failure rates?
Founder’s Edition models show fewer reported issues compared to third-party variants. However, sample sizes remain limited due to recent launch timing.
Does warranty cover driver-related bricking?
Most manufacturers honor warranties for driver-related failures, but require detailed documentation of installation attempts and error messages.
Should I avoid RTX 5090 purchases completely?
Consider your risk tolerance and use case. Critical production systems should wait for stability improvements, while enthusiast builds can proceed with proper precautions.
How long until NVIDIA fixes these issues?
Official timelines suggest Q2 2025 for major driver updates, but no guarantees exist for the complete resolution of all compatibility problems.