NVIDIA is once again experiencing firmware problems in its own portfolio – this time affecting the still young GeForce RTX 5060 series, especially the Ti variant. Since the launch, user reports of inexplicable black screen scenarios in which the system freezes completely or no longer delivers an image at all when restarting have been piling up. The manufacturer is now responding with a firmware update, although this is only effective under very specific circumstances.
Black screens: not under load, but when switched on
What initially reads like a typical driver problem turns out to be a deeper firmware problem on closer inspection. The affected cards – both RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti – already show dropouts at system startup. Users report systems that no longer even display the BIOS immediately after installing the GPU – without any load or driver conflict. A GPU that refuses to work even before POST causes problems even for experienced users. The error patterns range from sporadic freezes to complete failure – sometimes the only solution is to remove the GPU and resort to an integrated graphics solution or a replacement card. The fact that the system can sometimes only be booted in safe mode indicates fundamental incompatibilities at firmware level.
NVIDIA responds with GPU UEFI Firmware Update Tool v2.0
In response, NVIDIA has now provided an updated firmware under the title UEFI Firmware Update Tool v2.0. This is intended to update the affected cards, provided the system even manages to reboot with the driver installed. The company explicitly emphasizes that the update should only be applied if a black screen appears after a reboot. So if you can’t even get through to the OS, you won’t get much out of it – an absurd hint that indicates the helplessness of the manufacturer. Affected users are therefore dependent on a boot capability with an alternative graphics solution in order to carry out the update. In plain language, this means that only those who have a second GPU or an iGPU can help themselves – all others must contact the respective board partner directly.
Recommended measures according to NVIDIA
NVIDIA lists several measures in the release notes to possibly work around the problem:
- Completely shut down and restart the system
- Ensure that the current BIOS of the mainboard is installed
- Activate UEFI boot mode (avoid legacy/CSM at all costs)
- Use an alternative graphics signal (e.g. integrated graphics or second card)
- Boot the system in UEFI mode with the graphics driver installed
If your motherboard does not support UEFI, NVIDIA recommends contacting the GPU manufacturer for a special legacy VBIOS update. Again, this is just a band-aid for deeper problems – and an indication that even modern cards such as the RTX 5060 series are not necessarily compatible with older systems.
UEFI constraints and driver problems: an unfortunate start for Lovelace refresh?
The fact that NVIDIA is relying on UEFI-only for a new generation GPU is technically understandable, but an unfortunate solution in terms of communication. Older systems are still widespread, especially in the lower price segments – forcing users to use UEFI boot mode across the board is likely to present many users with considerable conversion work. Furthermore, the unclear distinction between firmware and driver problems causes additional confusion. Some users report that their systems only fail after Windows startup when GeForce Experience automatically updates the drivers – a clear indication that firmware and drivers are in a delicate interplay.
Bricked or bootable? A matter of luck for many users
The community is now talking about the “bricking of the RTX 5060 Ti” – a harsh judgment that is unfortunately supported by reality. Numerous user reports on Reddit, forums and social networks paint a picture of a launch in which basic QA processes were apparently not run through properly. The fact that a firmware update is necessary to generate an image signal at all is unacceptable for a product in this price range and target group. As a last resort, NVIDIA recommends submitting crash dumps to support – but whether and when this will lead to more stable versions remains unclear.

Firmware patches symptoms, not the cause
With the update tool, NVIDIA provides a technical solution – but no explanation. The problem is obviously deeper and cannot be fixed across the board. For affected users, the path to a functioning RTX 5060 is currently bumpy, with workarounds, alternative graphics and a lot of patience. A situation that does not do justice to the claim of a “Game Ready” GPU. Anyone still considering buying the RTX 5060 or 5060 Ti should look twice at the moment – and if in doubt, wait for a stable driver and firmware situation. If you already own the card, you should definitely check whether a UEFI boot is possible – or contact the support hotline of the respective board partner straight away.
Source: NVIDIA
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