Technology

RTX 5090 5090D Bricked Issues : What’s Causing It and How to Fix It

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2 weeks ago

July 11, 2025

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RTX 5090 5090D Bricked Issues :

Introduction

The NVIDIA RTX 5090 and RTX 5090D launched with huge expectations, raising the bar for GPU performance in gaming, AI processing, and content creation. Powered by the Blackwell architecture, these cards promised the next generation of 4K+ graphics and DLSS superiority.

However, within weeks of their release, reports began flooding online forums: users claiming their RTX 5090 or 5090D got bricked. In plain terms—their GPU stopped working entirely. No display, no detection, no recovery.

This article breaks down exactly what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what you can do if it happens to you. It also includes real-world insights, manufacturer responses, and key FAQs that answer all the common questions around these early GPU failures.

What Does It Mean If Your RTX 5090/5090D is “Bricked”?

“Bricked” refers to a GPU that becomes completely non-functional. You plug it in, power up your PC… and nothing. It doesn’t output video, isn’t recognized by your BIOS, and often causes your system to hang or crash.

Common symptoms of a bricked GPU:

Black screen at boot
GPU fans spinning at 100% but no display
PC won’t boot unless GPU is removed
Device Manager doesn’t detect the GPU
Reflashing tools don’t recognize the card

Timeline: When Did the Problem Begin?

June 2025: RTX 5090 and 5090D released globally.
Mid-June: Reddit and NVIDIA forums begin reporting strange crashes and failed boots.
Late June: Tech YouTubers confirm similar issues in review units.
Early July: NVIDIA publicly acknowledges firmware-related issues and pauses shipment of RTX 5090D for internal QA.

Which Models Are Being Affected?

The problem affects both NVIDIA Founders Edition and custom models by brands like ASUS, MSI, Zotac, and Gigabyte.

Estimated failure rates (community data):

RTX 5090: ~0.4–0.7%
RTX 5090D: ~1.2–1.7%

While these numbers may seem small, they’re significant for high-end GPUs that cost between $1,799 to $2,299+.

Root Causes Behind the RTX 5090/5090D Bricking Issues

1. Faulty VBIOS (Video BIOS)

Many affected GPUs seem to be failing during the power-on self test (POST), pointing to issues with the firmware. If the VBIOS doesn’t initialize the power phases or memory properly, the card may shut down permanently.

2. Driver Conflicts During Setup

Several users noted the GPU worked fine until the first driver installation or Windows update—after which, the system failed to detect the card. This suggests a problem with firmware and driver synchronization, especially during early-stage firmware upgrades.

3. Component-Level Failures

Hardware teardowns have shown:

Weak soldering joints
Poor capacitor placement
Voltage regulation instability

These design flaws may cause power delivery issues or short circuits under load, especially in RTX 5090D models.

Is Overclocking or Undervolting to Blame?

In many cases, no. Users reported their cards bricked out of the box, without any manual tuning.

That said, some advanced users who undervolted or used custom fan curves (via MSI Afterburner or ASUS GPU Tweak) did experience black screens, followed by system failure. This suggests that the firmware is too sensitive, reacting aggressively to any voltage deviation.

Manufacturer & Community Response

NVIDIA

Confirmed limited hardware initialization issues in RTX 5090D
Released firmware patch v1.07 (but not fully effective)
Paused 5090D shipments for internal testing

AIB Brands (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte)

Some have offered immediate RMA replacement
Others advise avoiding tuning software until further notice

Tech Reviewers (Gamers Nexus, JayzTwoCents)

Confirmed instability with RTX 5090D via power trace analysis
Recommended holding off on purchases until firmware is stable

What To Do If Your RTX 5090/5090D Is Bricked

Step-by-step:

Try a different system to rule out motherboard/PSU problems
Use a backup GPU or iGPU to boot and check BIOS settings
Attempt blind VBIOS reflash if you’re advanced (use with caution)
Initiate an RMA with the manufacturer—this is the safest route

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between RTX 5090 and RTX 5090D?

The RTX 5090D features upgraded VRAM (up to 32GB), higher core counts, and enhanced AI processing. It’s geared toward creators and researchers. But it’s also more power-hungry and, so far, more prone to bricking issues.

What causes a GPU to brick?

The main causes:

Corrupted VBIOS
Faulty firmware updates
Power regulation failure
Driver-firmware conflict
Manufacturer defects

Can I fix a bricked RTX 5090 or 5090D?

In some rare cases, yes—with a blind flash or EEPROM programmer. But for most users, RMA is the safest, most effective fix.

How common is this issue?

Estimates from community data:

0.4%–0.7% for RTX 5090
1.2%–1.7% for RTX 5090D

This isn’t mass failure, but it’s significant enough that NVIDIA has responded.

Will firmware updates solve the issue?

Future firmware may prevent bricking, but it won’t fix already bricked cards. Those need to be replaced or manually reprogrammed.

Are some brands more affected?

No conclusive evidence yet. All major AIBs have seen reports, but most failures seem tied to early batch production, not brand-specific flaws.

How do I avoid my RTX 5090 getting bricked?

Don’t flash VBIOS unless instructed
Use a certified 1000W+ PSU with 12VHPWR
Install official NVIDIA drivers only
Avoid undervolting or tweaking early

Where can I follow live updates?

NVIDIA Forums
Reddit /r/NVIDIA
YouTube tech channels: Gamers Nexus, JayzTwoCents, Hardware Unboxed

Final Thoughts

The RTX 5090 and 5090D are absolute monsters in performance—but early hardware is often a double-edged sword. When firmware, drivers, and power requirements aren’t perfectly aligned, even the best-designed GPUs can crash—hard.

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