The miner does not see the video card (NVIDIA or AMD)

To mine cryptocurrencies, users use special software. Such equipment is called “miners”. The software is required to connect the equipment to pools (platforms for joint mining of digital assets) or directly to blockchains. But there are cases when mining programs do not see the video card. In such situations, it is impossible to mine cryptocurrencies.

Why the miner does not see the video card

In 2024, we can name 8 main reasons for the problem:

• Pool restrictions on the minimum GPU hash rate. Many platforms for co-mining cryptocurrencies scan the power of the connected computer equipment. If the parameters of the equipment do not fit the requirements of the service, the devices are not displayed.
• Lack of video memory (VRAM). To mine some digital assets, users use DAG files – blocks of data to perform calculations in blockchains. The larger they are, the more VRAM the graphics cards must have. If there is not enough memory, the hardware may not show up in the software.
• Working with an old version of software. Irrelevant programs often do not interact correctly with the latest graphics processor (GPU) drivers.
• Using old computer software. Recent GPU models may not work properly due to out-of-date drivers.
• Using an incompatible operating system (OS). Each software has its own requirements for the software “stuffing” of computer hardware.
• Incompatibility of the motherboard and video cards.
• The software supports the equipment of only one manufacturer. If the program works with AMD graphics cards, NVIDIA devices will not work.
• Physical malfunction of interfaces for connecting graphics processors.

Ways to solve the problem

If the miner does not see the NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, you need to start from possible malfunctions:

• Choose a pool with technical requirements that correspond to the parameters of the used equipment.
• Compare the DAG file size of the selected blockchain and the VRAM capacity of the graphics processors. If the video memory is not enough, you need to find a suitable cryptocurrency network.
• Update the mining program.
• Upgrade to the latest version of the GPU driver.
• Choose a cryptocurrency mining software that will work with the current OS.
• Check the hardware compatibility of the motherboard and connected mining devices. If necessary, you will need to replace some components.
• Check the compatibility of the equipment with the software. If necessary, you will need to find a suitable software.
• Check the condition of interfaces for connecting computer components. If at least one connector is defective, you will need to replace it, the cable or even the motherboard (in rare cases).

The problem may also be in other system services and applications. That’s why you should additionally update OpenCL Driver, Microsoft Visual C+, OCL libraries and AMD APP SDK. It is recommended to download software from official developer websites.

What to do if the problem persists

There are cases when even a dozen measures taken do not help users. Then experienced miners recommend that beginners do not eliminate or solve, but “bypass” software and hardware limitations or errors. For example, you can do the following:

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• Roll back the current driver to version 17.10. This advice is relevant when using AMD graphics cards of the RX line. New drivers for them often conflict with miners.
• Disable Crossfire for AMD graphics processors. The technology may conflict with some programs.
• Install Catalyst 15.12 driver for AMD 4xx and 5xx series components. It eliminates conflicts and maximizes hardware hash rate.
• Reset BIOS. Basic BIOS versions installed by motherboard manufacturers usually function more correctly than new ones.
• Disable the “Windows Defender” system service and antiviruses (if any). They often interfere with the correct operation of cryptocurrency mining programs.

Another method of bypassing restrictions is to reflash the BIOS. However, doing this on your own is not recommended.

Even one error in programming the BIOS can disable the motherboard and other components. It is impossible to repair the equipment after such a failure.

NiceHash Miner rollback

Sometimes NiceHash Miner stops seeing the GPU after an update. In this case, users are often helped by a software rollback – returning the old version of the software. You can do this in 8 steps:

1. Open the NiceHash website.
2. Click on “More” in the upper right corner.
3. Open the “Download Center” section – “Miners and Tools”.
4. Download NiceHash Miner no older than version 4.1.
5. Create a separate folder and install the cryptomining program in it.
6. Find the file ccminer-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx.exe and rename it to ccminer_tpruvot.exe.
7. Launch the software.
8. Uncheck the box next to the item blake256r8vnl.

After that, the miner will start working with the graphics processor. But the old versions of the software are optimized worse than the new ones and have less functionality.

Recommendations for miners

General tips for cryptocurrency miners are collected in the table below.

Summary

Sometimes mining programs cannot detect connected GPUs. In such situations, it is not always clear what to do. First, you need to find the common cause. It can be hardware or software. After that, you can try to eliminate the problem.

Author: Saifedean Ammous, an expert in cryptocurrency economics.