Prevent Windows from Prompting to Eject Your GPU

Unlike external storage devices like USB drives, graphics cards are typically installed directly within the computer and not meant to be removed during operation. Therefore, when Windows prompts you with a message to “eject”your graphics processing unit (GPU), it can be quite perplexing. The mental image of a graphics card ejecting from its slot is certainly disconcerting. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the reasons behind this odd behavior in Windows and outline effective methods to prevent it.

Understanding the “Eject GPU” Notification in Windows

The “Eject GPU” option appears when Windows erroneously categorizes your GPU as a removable device. This feature is typically reserved for external GPU enclosures or devices using hot plug-compatible slots. The confusion arises primarily in systems using a standard PCIe lane or integrated GPUs when Windows misclassifies these as removable.

This issue is especially common in dual-GPU laptops, prebuilt PCs featuring external GPU support, or machines with a BIOS enabling hot plug functionality. Windows Device Manager relies on data from the device’s Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) firmware, which can mistakenly identify a non-removable GPU as one that can be swapped out on-the-fly.

It’s important to note that while this option operates as intended in a few contexts, it is advised against using it. Activating this feature under improper circumstances may lead to several outcomes, including:

Your display might shut off briefly, accompanied by a device disconnection noise, before returning.
Your dedicated GPU could deactivate, forcing the system to switch to the integrated GPU. A reboot will be necessary if you wish to resume using graphic-intensive applications.
The screen may go black, with no recovery until a restart is performed.

To avoid the potential mishap of unintentionally “ejecting”your GPU, it’s wise to disable this option in your system settings.

How to Disable PCIe Hot Plug in BIOS

For many systems presenting the “Eject GPU” option, there is often a hot plug feature within the BIOS settings that can be disabled, effectively eliminating the issue. If you don’t utilize external peripherals such as eGPUs, you can confidently turn off this feature without consequence.

To achieve this, reboot your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI interface. Look for Advanced settings, where you should find a section dedicated to PCIe configuration. This may be listed under Onboard Devices or Chipset. Locate the PCIe Slot Hot Plug or Hot Swap settings, which may be adjustable either for specific slots or globally. In cases where slots are listed individually, disable the option for your GPU slot; otherwise, disable the general Hot Plug feature.

Keep in mind that should you ever decide to integrate a hot-swappable device in the future, a system reboot will be necessary for it to be recognized.

Implementing a Registry Hack

Alternatively, a Windows Registry modification can be employed to stop Windows from recognizing your GPU as a removable device. The operating system utilizes the PCI removal policy status to activate the “eject GPU”option, thus setting your GPU as a permanent hardware component can prevent this from appearing.

To begin, you will need your GPU’s device instance ID. Open the Device Manager by searching for it in Windows Search. Right-click on your GPU entry, select Properties, then navigate to the Details tab. Choose Device instance path under Property, and make a note of its value.

Windows Device Manager with GPU driver details

Next, access the Windows Registry through the Search bar and proceed to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI

Within the PCI directory, locate the device instance ID of your GPU and navigate to the Device Parameters section.

In the right pane, right-click and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new value RemovalPolicyDefault, double-click it, and adjust its value to 0. Repeat this process to create another DWORD value titled DeviceHackFlags and assign it a value of 20.

Editing a DWORD value in Windows Registry

After completing these steps, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. This modification will disable hot-swapping capabilities for that specific PCIe port.

If you are using an Nvidia GPU, an alternative registry key can be modified for similar results. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\nvlddmkm

In this section, adjust the value of SurpriseRemovalSupport to 0. If this key does not exist, create a new DWORD value and name it SurpriseRemovalSupport.

The “eject GPU”issue arises primarily from specific setups and how they interact with hot plug functionalities. Given the niche nature of the problem affecting particular configurations, it is unlikely that future Windows updates will address this anomaly.

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