The process of reproducing and finding solutions for bugs can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with rare ones. However, after weeks of diligent investigation, AMD has finally found a solution for Radeon graphics card owners who encountered an Adrenalin WHQL driver bug that caused their systems to malfunction.

The Adrenalin 23.2.1 driver was expected to deliver superior performance improvements and introduce new features to users. Unfortunately, the driver also caused some users to experience system failures, rendering their Windows installations useless.

It’s important to note that the problem is not confined to the Adrenalin 23.2.1 driver. Brad Chacos, PCWorld’s executive editor, also experienced the same bug even when using the latest Adrenalin 23.2.2 driver from AMD. He worked closely with AMD engineers to identify the root cause of the problem and develop a temporary solution.

An AMD spokesperson told PCWorld, “We have discovered an issue that can occur in a very small number of cases when a PC update is performed during the installation of AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, and we are actively investigating. We recommend that users ensure that all system updates are installed or paused before installing the driver, and that the ‘Factory Reset’ option is unchecked during the AMD driver installation process. We are committed to resolving issues as quickly as possible and strongly encourage users to report issues with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition via the Bug Report Tool.”

According to AMD’s statement, the software appears to have a flaw that conflicts with Windows Update. However, it can be argued that it’s not an AMD bug, but a Windows bug. If there is a current installation in progress, Windows should not update any driver. This has been an issue with all sorts of other drivers for quite some time. It’s the reason why some users prefer to disable automatic driver updates.

In the meantime, AMD advises users not to use the “Factory Reset” option when installing Adrenalin drivers. This option removes all traces of the previously installed driver, similar to what popular third-party Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) does, and requires a restart. The theory is that Windows Update installs the Adrenalin driver simultaneously during the standard driver installation because the system momentarily lacks a display driver when restarted.

It’s always a good idea to perform a clean installation of display drivers with every update. However, the feature is currently not working correctly on AMD’s Adrenalin drivers. Therefore, heed the company’s advice and ensure that you untick the “Factory Reset” option before installation. Additionally, disable or pause your Windows updates before installing the Adrenalin drivers. Although AMD believes it’s an uncommon bug, it’s not worth taking any chances until the company provides a final solution.

DDU, for example, has a specific option that prevents Windows Update from downloading drivers while the program is running. AMD could implement a similar strategy to ensure that Windows Update and the Adrenalin software do not perform a parallel installation.

For those unlucky users who have already experienced this issue, Windows recovery mode is the answer. However, it may not be easy to get there. According to Chacos, AMD recommended pressing the power button to force Windows into automatic recovery. However, it’s easier said than done. The trick is to press the power button right after the BIOS options disappear but before the Windows circle. Unfortunately, Chacos noted that pressing the power button during the BIOS options would turn off the system, and at the Windows spinning circle, it would lead to a black screen. It took Chacos 15 attempts to succeed, so patience and perseverance are critical to recovering your system.

If you don’t regularly back up your data, it’s advisable to do so before installing AMD’s latest Adrenalin drivers. Although it’s a rare

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In the meantime, you should learn more about why you shouldn’t brick your card given the latest prices.