If you’ve encountered the “VGA card not supported by UEFI driver” error during boot, you’re not alone. This issue often occurs when your graphics card is incompatible with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), preventing the system from booting properly.
In this guide, we’ll explore the causes of this error and provide multiple solutions to help you resolve it.
Table of Contents
Why Does This Error Occur?
This error is typically caused by:
- Legacy GPU Incompatibility – Some older graphics cards do not support UEFI boot mode.
- CSM (Compatibility Support Module) Disabled – If CSM is turned off, the system may fail to recognize older VGA cards.
- BIOS/UEFI Settings Mismatch – A mismatch between UEFI and Legacy BIOS settings can cause boot issues.
- Incorrect Boot Mode – If your OS was installed in Legacy mode but the system is set to UEFI, it may cause this error.
- Firmware/Driver Issues – Outdated GPU firmware or missing drivers can prevent UEFI compatibility.
How to Fix “VGA Card Not Supported by UEFI Driver”
1. Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in BIOS
If your graphics card does not support UEFI, enabling CSM can help the system recognize it.
Steps to Enable CSM:
- Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (press DEL, F2, or F12 during boot).
- Look for the Boot or Advanced tab.
- Find CSM (Compatibility Support Module) and enable it.
- Save changes and exit BIOS.
💡 This allows the system to support older legacy hardware, resolving compatibility issues.
2. Switch Boot Mode to Legacy/BIOS
If your OS was installed in Legacy mode, but your system is set to UEFI mode, switching back to Legacy BIOS mode can resolve the issue.
Steps to Switch to Legacy Boot Mode:
- Access BIOS/UEFI (press DEL, F2, or F12 during startup).
- Navigate to the Boot Mode setting.
- Change it from UEFI to Legacy or BIOS mode.
- Save changes and restart your computer.
⚠️ If your OS was installed in UEFI mode, switching to Legacy may prevent it from booting. In that case, you may need to reinstall your OS in Legacy mode.
3. Update Graphics Card Firmware (vBIOS)
Some older GPUs have firmware that does not support UEFI. Updating the vBIOS (video BIOS) of your graphics card may enable UEFI support.
How to Update GPU Firmware:
- Check Your GPU Model – Use GPU-Z or Device Manager to find your exact model.
- Download vBIOS Update – Visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or the card manufacturer) and look for firmware updates.
- Flash the vBIOS – Use tools like NVFlash (NVIDIA) or ATIFlash (AMD) to update the firmware.
- Restart Your PC and check if the error is resolved.
⚠️ Flashing the GPU BIOS incorrectly can damage your graphics card. Proceed with caution and back up your current firmware if possible.
4. Check for GPU Driver Updates
An outdated graphics driver might cause conflicts with UEFI.
Update GPU Drivers:
- Boot into Safe Mode if necessary.
- Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
- Expand Display Adapters and right-click your GPU.
- Click Update Driver → Search Automatically for Drivers.
- Restart your PC and check if the issue persists.
Alternatively, you can download the latest drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel directly.
5. Try a Different PCIe Slot
If you’re using a discrete GPU, try installing it in a different PCIe slot:
- Power off your PC and unplug it.
- Move the graphics card to another PCIe slot.
- Reboot and check if the system recognizes it.
💡 This works if a faulty slot or motherboard firmware issue is causing the error.
6. Reset BIOS to Default Settings
A misconfigured BIOS setting can lead to the “VGA card not supported by UEFI driver” error. Resetting your BIOS to factory defaults can help.
How to Reset BIOS:
- Enter BIOS (press DEL, F2, or F12 at startup).
- Look for Load Default Settings or Reset to Factory Defaults (usually under the Exit tab).
- Save changes and restart your PC.
7. Use an UEFI-Compatible Graphics Card
If all else fails, your GPU may not support UEFI at all. Consider upgrading to a newer, UEFI-compatible graphics card. Modern GPUs from NVIDIA (GTX 900 series and later) and AMD (RX 400 series and later) fully support UEFI mode.
Video Explanation
Here’s a video that explains how to fix the error
Conclusion
The “VGA card not supported by UEFI driver” error is mainly caused by UEFI and Legacy BIOS compatibility issues. Here’s a quick summary of the solutions:
✅ Enable CSM mode in BIOS
✅ Switch Boot Mode to Legacy if needed
✅ Update GPU firmware (vBIOS) for UEFI support
✅ Install latest GPU drivers
✅ Try a different PCIe slot
✅ Reset BIOS settings to default
✅ Upgrade to a UEFI-compatible GPU if necessary
By following these steps, you should be able to fix this issue and get your system running smoothly.