RX 7900XTX – Random freezes, sometimes followed by Code 31 (driver failed to load)

[TheMaxiDu]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with a super frustrating issue on my high-end build and I’m running out of ideas. Maybe someone here has seen this before.

My system:

• Ryzen 9 7900

• MSI MAG X670E Gaming Plus WiFi

• RX 7900XTX

• 32GB DDR5

• 850W PSU (stable brand)

• Windows 11

• BIOS up to date

The problem:
Every few days, usually after 3–5 days of stable use, my PC randomly freezes – sometimes during idle, sometimes after waking from sleep. No BSOD. Just a freeze with fans still spinning and audio playing for few sec .

After restarting, I occasionally get this:

• GPU not recognized

• Device Manager shows Code 31 → “The driver for this device failed to load.”

• Sometimes I have to fully remove the AMD drivers with DDU and reinstall to get the card working again.

• Other times, a simple restart fixes it.

Important points:

• Full stress tests (FurMark, 3DMark, OCCT) run without issues

• Temps are fine (GPU under 70°C most of the times under 50)

• Resize BAR & Above 4G Decoding are enabled in BIOS

• PCIe slot is forced to Gen4

• Fast Boot is disabled (BIOS + Windows)

• PSU is stable, and power cable is now fully seated (had a loose connection a few weeks ago)

This only started months after building the PC. Nothing in the setup has changed. No regular pattern to the freezes. Could it be a flaky GPU, motherboard slot issue, or something with AMD’s driver/initialization process?

Would appreciate any tips, advice, or if anyone had a similar experience.

Thanks in advance!

[DoctorNick]

1 hour ago, TheMaxiDu said:

Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with a super frustrating issue on my high-end build and I’m running out of ideas. Maybe someone here has seen this before.

My system:

• Ryzen 9 7900

• MSI MAG X670E Gaming Plus WiFi

• RX 7900XTX

• 32GB DDR5

• 850W PSU (stable brand)

• Windows 11

• BIOS up to date

The problem:
Every few days, usually after 3–5 days of stable use, my PC randomly freezes – sometimes during idle, sometimes after waking from sleep. No BSOD. Just a freeze with fans still spinning and audio playing for few sec .

After restarting, I occasionally get this:

• GPU not recognized

• Device Manager shows Code 31 → “The driver for this device failed to load.”

• Sometimes I have to fully remove the AMD drivers with DDU and reinstall to get the card working again.

• Other times, a simple restart fixes it.

Important points:

• Full stress tests (FurMark, 3DMark, OCCT) run without issues

• Temps are fine (GPU under 70°C most of the times under 50)

• Resize BAR & Above 4G Decoding are enabled in BIOS

• PCIe slot is forced to Gen4

• Fast Boot is disabled (BIOS + Windows)

• PSU is stable, and power cable is now fully seated (had a loose connection a few weeks ago)

This only started months after building the PC. Nothing in the setup has changed. No regular pattern to the freezes. Could it be a flaky GPU, motherboard slot issue, or something with AMD’s driver/initialization process?

Would appreciate any tips, advice, or if anyone had a similar experience.

Thanks in advance!

First of all, make sure you didn't overclock or change anything that could lead to instability. OC of CPU or ram or GPU. 

Check if fast boot is enabled or disabled in BIOS as well as in windows. Path: Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Power Options\System Settings

Its called fast starup in windows. Make sure its set the same in windows and BIOS. If not adrenalin will crash and fail to load. I suggest running DDU in safe mode and going into DDU options and toggle "prevent windows update from installing drivers". Install GPU drivers again 24.12.1 is the best for 7000 series.

 

After this everything should be alright. How do I know? I got a 7900XT and I forgot to set this after reinstalling windows, getting crashes for months.. yes. rip