RTx 5090 5090D Bricked Issues

Right from the start — if your RTx 5090 or 5090D graphics card is unresponsive, showing a black screen, and refusing to boot, you’re probably facing one of the trending issues in the GPU world right now: the RTx 5090 5090D bricked issue. This article breaks down what’s causing it, how you can identify it, and what steps you should take to fix or prevent it.

Let’s dive in and make sense of this GPU mess.

Understanding the RTx 5090 and 5090D GPUs

Overview of the RTx 5090 Series

NVIDIA’s RTx 5090 series brought an insane leap in performance. With architecture improvements, higher CUDA core counts, and DLSS advancements, the 5090 is a beast for gaming, rendering, and AI tasks.

Differences Between RTx 5090 and 5090D

The 5090D variant is designed with a dual-slot cooling solution and slightly different VRAM configuration. It’s tailored more for compact builds or specific market regions. But the issues seem to affect both models.

What Does “Bricked” Mean?

In tech terms, “bricked” means your device is as useful as a brick — it won’t turn on, can’t boot, and doesn’t respond to inputs.

Soft Brick vs Hard Brick

Soft Brick: A system glitch you can usually fix with software tweaks.
Hard Brick: Full failure where the hardware doesn’t respond at all.

Signs Your RTx 5090 or 5090D Is Bricked

Black screen during boot
No video output, even in BIOS
Fans spinning but no signal to monitor
System crashes shortly after powering on

Common Causes of RTx 5090 and 5090D Bricking

Firmware Update Failures

A large chunk of bricked GPUs stems from interrupted firmware updates. If the process is cut off or corrupted, the card becomes unresponsive.

Power Supply Issues

Insufficient or unstable power can fry components. The RTx 5090 demands massive and clean power delivery, and cheap PSUs can’t keep up.

Driver Conflicts or Overclocking

Pushing your GPU beyond its limits — especially with unstable or third-party drivers — can cause it to brick unexpectedly.

BIOS Mismatches

Installing a wrong BIOS, especially one not meant for the D variant, can easily render your card inoperable.

Early User Reports and Complaints

Reddit, TechPowerUp, and Linus forums are lighting up with users complaining about sudden GPU death after updates or minimal use.

Patterns Emerging in User Experiences

Bricks mostly happen post-driver or BIOS updates
Some cards fail right after initial boot
High temps during gaming or stress tests followed by black screen

How to Identify a Bricked RTx 5090 or 5090D

No Display Output

Your PC turns on, but the screen remains blank? That’s red flag number one.

Fan Spinning But No Boot

If your GPU fans are spinning but there’s no POST or image, it’s likely a bricked GPU.

Black Screen and Unresponsive GPU

Your system runs but behaves like there’s no GPU installed at all.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Try

Power Cycle and Hardware Reset

Shut down everything
Unplug the GPU
Hold the power button for 30 seconds
Reconnect and test again

Flashing BIOS/UEFI Again

Use a dual-GPU system to re-flash the BIOS. Some users recovered their 5090 using this method.

Using Recovery Mode If Available

Certain models have a hidden recovery mode or backup BIOS. Check your manufacturer’s guide.

Swapping Components for Testing

Try your GPU on another system, or swap out PSU/RAM/CPU to isolate the issue.

When to Contact Manufacturer or RMA

If nothing works, don’t waste time — start the RMA process immediately. Make sure to:

Keep your receipt
Describe the issue clearly
Mention if it happened after an update

How to Prevent RTx 5090 and 5090D From Getting Bricked

Avoid Beta Drivers

Stick with stable releases from NVIDIA’s website. Beta drivers often cause compatibility issues.

Use a Stable PSU and Surge Protection

Invest in a gold-rated PSU with enough wattage (1000W+ recommended).

Monitor Temps During Overclocking

If you must overclock, monitor temps and stability through stress tests.

Is There an Official Fix from NVIDIA?

As of now, NVIDIA hasn’t released a formal statement, but rumors suggest a firmware patch is in testing. Keep an eye on official forums.

Are Third-Party Fixes Safe?

Some tech YouTubers and forums offer DIY recovery tools. Use caution — they may void your warranty or worsen the issue.

What the Tech Experts Say

Experts suggest this might be a power delivery flaw or unstable driver release. Until NVIDIA confirms, all we can do is speculate and stay alert.

Should You Still Buy RTx 5090 or 5090D?

Yes — but with precautions:

Wait for stable BIOS/drivers
Buy from a vendor with easy returns
Avoid flashing BIOS unless absolutely needed

Conclusion

The RTx 5090 5090D bricked issues are real, frustrating, and affecting many users. Whether it’s a firmware fail or power supply problem, knowing how to detect and fix it can save your $2000+ investment. Stay informed, cautious with updates, and don’t hesitate to RMA if needed.