Skip to main content
Inspiring
November 28, 2021
Question

Photoshop CC crashes - conflict with NVIDIA Quadro M1200 graphics unit. Any suggestions?

  • November 28, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 3001 views

Photoshop crashes on my Dell 5520 Precision Laptop (Windows 10) - There's a conflict with the GPU (NVIDIA Quadro M1200). Dell support ran various diagnostics; all came back fine. I have updated all drivers and to the latest Photoshop version.

 

Here's what happens.

1. Photoshop hangs up. I can't do anything.

2. After a few minutes or a minute, but not immediately, this error message shows up (Please see also photos below):

Unable to communicate with Display Driver

2. After a little while, if I let the computer sit for a few minutes, I get another message and the blue screen of death with the following message (again, please see below)

Stop code: VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR

 

The machine runs stable with the NVIDIA Quadro M1200 disabled. But when I disable the NVIDIA graphics unit, it runs slower, and I have to slow down sketching in Photoshop.

 

I don't know when this problem started. It must have happened with some Windows or Dell update some months back.

I also need the fast scrubby zoom function in Photoshop. It's way slower with the NVIDIA GPU disabled.


Here's my workaround: I go to Photoshop and keep working in Photoshop, it will run fine, but I can't take breaks. I have to keep working on it. The program might hang up if I jump to another app, like Chrome or InDesgin, and spend too much time away from Photoshop. That also happens when I take a coffee break from the computer. 

 

The computer doesn't always fall asleep with Photoshop, or it might hang up Photoshop.

I suspect some issue between Dell sleep function and may be an incompatibility of some sort.
A year ago, I tried to fix the falling-asleep issue with Dell, and it seemed to work at first, but then I noticed it again. I gave up on it because it doesn't affect my work. It's just a safety issue for me.
Closing the lid does the trick.

Unfortunately, I can't emulate the problem with precision. It just happens. Photoshop hangs itself up. After it happens, I need to do a restart. If it happens too often, I have to disable the graphic card in the Device Manager and work in slow motion. Very annoying.

I also wondered if the computer or graphic card gets too hot, but I have a cooling pad and noticed the problem even when I hadn't done much work, and the computer was still cold.

 

Do you have any suggestions?
I appreciate your help in advance or for directing me to the right place.

 

I'm working with 16 GB of RAM
4 GB Graphics Unit

I' am also pasting a few screenshots of the issue below.

BTW  I run the same PS CC version on my Surface 7 without any problems (Sketching with a Wacom tablet etc.)

 



 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

KShinabery212
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 6, 2021

Have you tried updating everything on your computer?  Usually when I run into issues, I have to update Windows.

Legend
November 29, 2021

I've seen multiple reports of system crashes with in-game overlay on GeForce experience enabled - try disabling that if it's enabled - https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/entire-system-is-freezing-when-i-use-custom-brushes/td-p/12545883#M602402

Inspiring
November 29, 2021

Thanks for your reply and the link. I don't think the link is my issue. Or maybe it is, but I don't understand what the "in-game overlay on GeForce" means.  

Following the link, someone "disabled the in-game overlay on GeForce experience, and so far it works! I will update more on this, coz i remember that's the only thing i added when i tried to screen record some of my work and had the overlay defaulted to on and then it started causing issues."

 

Do you know how I can disable the in-game overlay?

 

Meanwhile, I found this hack, and I will try this. If it works, I hope to remember to report back here. 

How to Disable the Intel Power Management Driver

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-disable-the-intel-power-management-driver

Inspiring
December 6, 2021

Just as an update to close this issue> So far nothing worked and I sent the computer to Dell to have it fixed.