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Dropbox preventing GPU to switch display mode
Hello
I have a gaming laptop with a discrete RTX 3070 GPU.
Nvidia control center manages the switching of the display to the integrated or the discrete GPU, depending on the needs.
It should switch to the discrete GPU when launching a game and switch back to the integrated graphics when the game is closed to save on power consumption.
This works well, except when the Dropbox app is running.
I get an error message when launching any game stating that the Nvidia container was unable to switch the display mode due to Dropbox.
Is there any way to fix this issue besides closing down the app (which instantly resolves the issue!)?
I prefer to keep Dropbox active at all times, but this issue is preventing this.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Everybody,
We have implemented a hardware acceleration toggle, and we would love if anyone experiencing this could test it out to make sure it solves the problem.
Affected users on Mac can option + click on the tray icon and disable hardware acceleration from the drop down menu.
Affected users on Windows can ctrl + click on the tray icon and disable hardware acceleration from the drop down menu.
Let us know if this works!
Regards,
Ben
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Hi BenDBX ,
To clarify, it's entirely possible to ignore the warning, and yes, the dGPU(Nvidia) still does process the 3D graphics, however, the delve deeper, here's the explanation of what the issue is:
Nvidia laptops with a tech called Advanced Optimus use what's called a Mux switch that basically switches connection to the display between the iGPU and the dGPU. It's entirely possible for the dGPU to do the processing and pass the frames through the iGPU buffer, which is how it worked before, but the direct connection (and display switch) is how the dGPU is able to directly control the display with other technology like Nvidia GSYNC (VRR) and such. Preventing this switch prevents this from happening. You know when it occurs when the computer makes a "device connected" sound and the display switches briefly. It can also be noted in the Nvidia control panel when it switches properly, as the entirety of the option set becomes available.
I've only found 3 applications that prevent this from switching: Dropbox, Windows Phone Link, and Intel Arc Control center.
Same issue happening to me. Latest drivers. Dropbox v170.4.5895
BenDBXCommunity Manager
Hi Everybody,
For anyone still having this issue, try updating your GPU drivers and motherboard firmware to the latest versions. If this does not fix the issue, reply here and I will pass that information onto the appropriate team for further investigation.
Regards,
Ben
Posting so I can get updates, I'm having the same issue.
just got a new machine and have the same issue.. If I log out of dropbox and stop all processes.. when I start the game, I do not get the issue.. I have pre-released turned off and have the up to date dropbox.exe installed.
how can i keep my dropbox syncing and let applications switch video mode? Seems to be a re-occuring issue.
Unfortunately until Dropbox fixes their app, you only have two options:
1) Close Dropbox every time you launch a 3D app, like a game.
2) Switch your laptop into dGPU mode only, which will impact your battery life while mobile, but will have little to no impact when plugged in, unless you make this switch each time.
Don't know who fixed what, but I randomly started up a 3D app tonight without exiting Dropbox like I have been doing, and my Lenovo laptop switched display modes on it's own, even with the app running.
Dropbox 175.4.5569
Nvidia Driver 535.98
