How to Fix DaVinci Resolve “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” on Windows in 2023

DaVinci Resolve is one of the free video editing software on the market. Like most apps, this video editing software also sometimes faces occasional crashes. One such frustrating error is when your graphic card stops supporting the software. In this article, we’ll look at how you can fix DaVinci Resolve’s “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” error on Windows. 

It’s frustrating when you spend a lot of time editing videos only for the program to crash. But you need not worry, as by following the straightforward instructions mentioned below, you’ll be back to seamlessly editing your videos with the full support of your graphics card in no time.

1. Verify Environment Variables

DaVinci Resolve heavily relies on NVIDIA GPUs for optimal performance. However, outdated drivers or incompatible settings can sometimes lead to the application not recognizing or supporting your graphics card, resulting in the DaVinci Resolve “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” error message.

A viable solution to this issue is to verify and configure the CUDA_VISIBLE_DEVICES environment variable. This variable specifies which GPUs a CUDA program can access. If it is not set correctly, DaVinci Resolve won’t detect your GPU. You can verify the environment variable by following the steps below.

Step 1: Click the Windows icon. In the search box type Environment variables and click Open. Select Yes in the prompt.

Step 2: Ensure that you’re in the Advanced tab and click the Environment Variables button. 

Step 3: Under the System variables, locate and select CUDA_VISIBLR_DEVICES. Click Delete.

Note: You can also select Edit and set the value to 0.

Step 4: Click OK, followed by Apply to close the windows. 

After that, restart your Windows device to save the changes. We hope this has solved your issue. However, if this wasn’t of any help, keep scrolling.

2. Ensure OPENCL2 or CUDA 11 Compatibility

DaVinci Resolve needs a good graphics card for video editing and color grading. It uses frameworks like OPENCL2 and CUDA 11 to make the most of modern graphics cards by processing tasks in parallel. To ensure your graphics card works with DaVinci Resolve, check if your NVIDIA GPU has a compatibility of OPENCL2 3.5 or higher. If it’s lower than 3.5, it won’t support CUDA 11, which DaVinci Resolve needs.

However, if there are no compatibility issues and you’re still facing them, then you can manually choose the graphics card for the app. The app may not automatically pick the right graphics card, leading to an error message. Follow the steps outlined below to set up the GPU processing unit in the app:

Step 1: Press Windows + S keyboard shortcut to open the search, type DaVinci Resolve and select Open.

Step 2: In the address bar, click DaVinci Resolve and choose Preferences.

Tip: You can press ctrl + (,) keyboard shortcut to open the Preferences box directly.

Step 3: Head to Memory and GPU and ensure the box next to GPU Processing mode is unchecked. 

Step 4: From the drop-down next to GPU Processing Mode, choose the CUDA or OpenCL and click Save.

3. Check the VRAM of Your GPU

VRAM is a dedicated memory on your graphics card for storing graphics data. Checking your VRAM amount is a good option if you’re experiencing an “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” error, as DaVinci Resolve needs significant VRAM, especially for high-resolution footage or complex effects. Follow the steps below to find your VRAM amount.

Step 1: Launch the Run box by pressing the Windows + R keyboard shortcut. In the search box, type dxdiag and hit Enter.

Step 2: Make sure you’re in the Display tab and check the value next to Display Memory.

Note: Your system needs to have a minimum of 2GB (2000 MB) of VRAM to ensure optimal performance with DaVinci Resolve.

4. Update or Downgrade Your Graphics Driver

The graphics driver is a crucial link between your computer’s hardware and software, enabling smooth communication and optimal performance. If you encounter an unsupported graphics card message, a practical solution is to update or downgrade your graphics driver, as video editing software like DaVinci Resolve relies on graphics processing unit (GPU) capabilities to complete its task.

Downgrading can be viable if the latest driver introduces compatibility issues. To downgrade the graphic card driver, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Press Windows + S and type Device Manager. Click Open to launch the app. When prompted, select Yes to let the app make changes to your device.

Step 2: Locate and click the downward arrow next to Display adapters and open your NVIDIA driver by double-clicking on it.

Step 3: Head to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. Follow the on-screen instructions and click OK to save the changes.

Note: The Roll Back Driver button appears gray when no previous driver version is available.

Conversely, by updating to the latest compatible graphics driver, you ensure that your GPU can efficiently process and manage the graphical demands of the software. Here’s how to update your GPU driver:

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows icon and select Device Manager from the Power User menu. When prompted, click Yes.

Step 2: Double-click on the Display adapters. Choose your NVIDIA graphic driver, right-click on it, and select Update driver from the options.

Step 3: In the pop-up window, choose ‘Search automatically for drivers.’ If available, install the update and restart your device.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Updating Drivers Correctly on Windows.

5. Reinstall AMD Adrenalin for GPU Compatibility

AMD Adrenalin is a software suite that includes drivers for AMD graphics cards, offering performance enhancements and additional features for the DaVinci Resolve. If you see a message about an unsupported graphics card while using DaVinci Resolve, it means your AMD graphics card driver isn’t compatible with the software.

You can quickly fix the DaVinci Resolve GPU configuration warning error by reinstalling the AMD Adrenalin software on your device. Doing so will update your drivers and ensure everything works smoothly. Adhere to the steps below to reinstall AMD Adrenalin:

Open any web browser, go to the AMD website and download the latest Radeon software. Once done, locate the setup and run the installer.

AMD website

Also Read: AMD Adrenalin Software Not Working or Opening.

6. Reinstall DaVinci Resolve

Reinstalling DaVinci Resolve can be an effective solution to address the “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” message. This process ensures that all necessary components, such as the latest GPU drivers, are properly configured and integrated.

Additionally, reinstalling helps to rectify any conflicts or potential errors that may have arisen during the first installation or subsequent updates, such as missing system files or corrupted registry entries. Here’s how to reinstall DaVinci Resolve on Windows:

Step 1: Click the Start icon and select the Search box. Type Settings and select Open.

Step 2: On the left side of the pane, select Apps. On the right side of the pane, choose Installed apps.

Step 3: Locate the DaVinci Resolve software and click the three horizontal dots icon. Choose Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 4: Open a web browser, head to the DaVinci Resolve website, and download the software.

DaVinci Resolve website

Step 5:  Launch the setup and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Edit Your Videos Seamlessly

DaVinci Resolve’s “Unsupported GPU Processing Mode” issue is one of those things that can bother you when editing videos. You can easily solve this issue by following the steps above. As a rule of thumb, keep the graphics card drivers updated and also the DaVinci Resolve versions on your computer.