How to disable a video card

Updated: 06/02/2020 by Computer Hope
PCIe Video Card

If you have a video card in your computer that you want to disable, there are several ways to do so. Whether your computer has an onboard video card or a removable video card, it is possible to disable it. Select a link below for the type of video card in your computer and follow the steps to disable it.

Onboard video card

To disable an integrated, onboard video card, follow the steps below.

Disable through Microsoft Windows

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Click the + or > symbol next to the Display adapters option in the list.
  3. Right-click the onboard video card.
  4. In the pop-up menu that opens, select the Disable device option.

After disabling the onboard video card, you can shut down the computer and install a new video card.

Disable through BIOS

Note

Before performing the BIOS steps below, we recommend you install a new video card to use in place of the onboard video card.

  1. Access the computer's BIOS setup.
  1. In the BIOS, look for an option like Integrated Peripherals, Integrated Devices, or something similar. Depending on the type of BIOS, you may need to look in a section named Advanced or Configuration. Access that option to view the next screen of options.
  2. Look for an entry like Graphic Device, Onboard Video, Onboard VGA, or something similar. To the right of that entry, you'll see an option currently set to Enable or Enabled. Change the option to Disable or Disabled.
  3. Look at the bottom of the BIOS screen to see which key or key combination to press to save the BIOS settings change. F10 or F12 are common keys to save BIOS settings changes. Press the appropriate key to save the changes.
  4. After saving the changes, exit the BIOS. The key to exit the BIOS is shown at the bottom of the BIOS screen.

After exiting the BIOS, the computer will restart. Because the onboard video card is disabled, you must connect the VGA (video graphics array) or DVI (digital visual interface) monitor cable to the new video card.

Removable video card

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Click the + or > symbol next to the Display adapters option in the list.
  3. Right-click the onboard video card.
  4. In the pop-up menu that opens, select the Disable device option.

The video card is disabled when the computer is shut down. Next, install a new video card and connect it to the computer monitor.