LENOVO LEGION Not Using GPU (How to Fix It)

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Fix your Lenovo Legion not using GPU with this comprehensive guide. Learn how to check BIOS, update drivers, and adjust settings for optimal performance.

If your Lenovo Legion laptop isn’t using the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) as it should, you might notice a drop in performance, especially when gaming or using graphics-intensive applications. This guide will help you identify and fix the issue. Let’s dive in!

Check BIOS Settings

The first step is to ensure your BIOS settings are configured correctly to use the dedicated GPU.

  1. Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or DEL) during startup.
  2. Navigate to the Advanced or Configuration tab using the arrow keys.
  3. Look for options related to Graphics or GPU. Ensure that the dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) is selected as the primary graphics adapter.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup.

After making these changes, check if your laptop is now using the dedicated GPU.

Update GPU Drivers

Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause your Lenovo Legion to default to integrated graphics. Follow these steps to update your GPU drivers:

  1. Open the Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click on your dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the prompts to complete the update.

If the automatic search doesn’t find new drivers, visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) to download and install the latest drivers manually.

Set Preferred GPU in Graphics Settings

Windows allows you to set the preferred GPU for specific applications. Here’s how:

  1. Open Settings from the Start menu.
  2. Go to System > Display.
  3. Scroll down and click on Graphics settings.
  4. Under Choose an app to set preference, select Desktop app or Microsoft Store app, and click Browse.
  5. Locate the executable file (.exe) of the application you want to use the GPU with, select it, and click Add.
  6. Click on the added application and select Options.
  7. Choose High performance to use the dedicated GPU and click Save.

Repeat these steps for other applications as needed.

Disable Integrated Graphics

If your Lenovo Legion is still not using the dedicated GPU, you can disable the integrated graphics to force the use of the dedicated GPU:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click on the integrated GPU (usually Intel HD Graphics) and select Disable device.

Note: Disabling the integrated GPU may cause your laptop to use more power and generate more heat. Use this method as a last resort.

Check Power Settings

Sometimes, power settings can cause your laptop to favor the integrated GPU to save battery. Here’s how to adjust them:

  1. Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
  2. Select your current power plan and click on Change plan settings.
  3. Click on Change advanced power settings.
  4. Expand the Graphics settings or Switchable Dynamic Graphics options.
  5. Set both On battery and Plugged in to use the Maximum performance or High performance GPU.

Apply the changes and check if your laptop is now using the dedicated GPU.

Run GPU-Intensive Applications

To ensure your Lenovo Legion is using the dedicated GPU, run a GPU-intensive application or game. Monitor the GPU usage with a tool like MSI Afterburner or GPU-Z. If the dedicated GPU usage is low or not increasing, there may still be a configuration issue.

Update Windows

Keeping Windows updated can fix bugs and improve hardware compatibility. Here’s how to check for updates:

  1. Open Settings from the Start menu.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
  3. Click on Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your laptop.

Reinstall GPU Drivers

If updating the drivers didn’t work, try reinstalling them:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click on your dedicated GPU and select Uninstall device. Make sure to check the box for Delete the driver software for this device.
  4. Restart your laptop.
  5. Visit the GPU manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. Install them and restart your laptop again.

Contact Lenovo Support

If none of the above solutions work, there might be a hardware issue. Contact Lenovo support for further assistance. They can help diagnose and fix any underlying hardware problems.

Conclusion

Ensuring your Lenovo Legion laptop uses the dedicated GPU can significantly enhance performance in graphics-intensive tasks. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Regularly updating drivers and keeping your system well-maintained can prevent such problems in the future. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lenovo support for help.

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