Surface Book 3 Nvidia Graphics card disappears after updates.

My nVidia GPU wasn't disappearing after updates but it would disappear seemingly randomly.

Also, the base would get overly warm when charging with the Microsoft charger.

I discovered that the likelihood of the GPU going missing increased when I exercised the hinge.

I disconnected the tablet portion, cleaned the three data/power connectors and the two lugs on the base (I used one of those magic sponges to delicately wipe the conductive bits and then a mildly damp cloth to wipe off any residue) and then reconnected the two halves.

This seems to have improved the reliability of the connection when folding the laptop and the base doesn't become quite so warm when charging.

However, I am concerned that the base does become warmer than I expect when in use and charging (given that many of my uses shouldn't be using the nVidia GPU).

My prognosis has expanded due to verifying that temperature falls short as a factor. Certain forms of software will entice the graphics unit to disconnect and the weight of the load has little relation. I have executed programs that are either old and heavy on graphical demand or known to have questionable development yet light. Both of these frequently falter the device. Whereas some modest, modern, and well built programs retain the utility, despite being under heavy or sudden strain. My conclusion is that the issue is with firmware.

Looking around on Reddit, I found this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/SurfaceGaming/comments/s8h2gm/request_surface_book_2_switching_from_dgpu_to/ The last comment was made a month ago and the user averted the issue by upgrading to Windows 11, which makes some painful sense.

I had something of a breakthrough, the other day.

While my Book 3's nVidia GPU fan was spinning like mad while charging, I thought to check the drivers installed.

Back when the Book 3 first came out the screen would randomly blank. The solution then was to get nVidia drivers and control software.

Well, Microsoft have finally addressed the issue and now the nVidia drivers and control software conflict.

Uninstall everything nVidia, get Windows Update to perform a check and pull the Mircosoft drivers down, and now the GPU does not disconnect when closing the lid, the laptop doesn't get hot when charging and everything seems much more stable.

If only the Book 3 could have been like that straight from the box.

I'm already running Win11. It does seem more stable or at least predictable. I still need a restart if the screen has been detached and I want the NVidia GPU. Also some software seems to 'hold' the driver or perhaps lock the card to itself. This needs, yep you guessed it, a restart to fix.

I do recommend Win 11 on the SB3, seems more stable. I also recommend using GeForce now to always have the latest drivers (gaming or productivity version).

After opening the package the Surface Book was in and starting up the machine, I proceeded to download and install nVidia's Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA). A suite of drivers and firmware that enables the graphics card to perform computational tasks. Problems immediately occurred under heavy load, and in search for answers, I remember reading that nVidia's hardware in the Surface Book was actually 'external' to the nVidia environment. Hence installing the native firmware would override important driver controls that Microsoft was actually responsible to given the unique blueprint of the machine. To rectify, the operating system had to be reinstalled from manufactured version.

I know this is a very vague statement, as even fresh machines suffer from the problem.