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December 7th, 2025 16:04
XPS 8940, problem with RTX 1660 Ti driver updates
Dell XPS 8940 with NVIDIA RTX 1660 Ti graphics card. In the past I've been prompted by the GeForce app to upgrade the graphics driver. When I did that, I would have problems with the monitor going black after sitting idle for some period of time and only able to revive with a cold restart. Somewhere I read you should only update drivers through the Dell Support Assist app so I stopped updating through the GeForce app and no more problems. lately the problem has returned and it looks like due to the NVIDIA driver being updated through WindowsUpdate. What are my options here? I'm two updates beyond the last Dell driver update and system restore doesn't have a restore point to take me back to that.
ispalten
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December 7th, 2025 22:39
Well, turn off CAPSULE UPDATES in BIOS, that is how drivers and some updates come in via Windows Update.
8940 and Nvidia cards have a long history of lock-ups and not coming out of Sleep.
Recently, that seems to be a thing of the past.
There are many solutions here in this forum, but NONE are guaranteed to work for all.
I've seemed to have gotten around it by using the 3D setting for Power in the Nvidia Control Panel to MAX. POWER. I've been using the GeForce app to install new drivers (Game Ready for me) for a long time. I always do a CLEAN INSTALL as well. However, I did check Nvidia Control panel many times and found the power reset to the default value. I had a lock up once, booted back on and checked the Control Panel.
However, in the 3 or 4 months ago I discovered it was set to Default (each card model may have a different default) and I left it be... and I did lock up. Since then, I have left it and have no problems with the Default set.
Dell Support ONLY posts Drivers that they have TESTED and WILL SUPPORT.... call in with a problem, they will make sure you have the Dell posted one. If you do not, you would have to install it. Do have the latest they posted, YOU WILL be directed to the Nvidia site to use the LAST available. Fixes your problem, great, if not Dell will 'work on it'.
I would suggest though that you get DDU (https://www.guru3d.com/download/display-driver-uninstaller-download/), run it to CLEAN OUT the present driver and all associated files. Then go to the Nvidia site and get the latest for you card model. Install it and see if it clears the problem, it very well might.