Old AMD Windows chipset driver bug that quietly degrades SSDs now back on GPUs

Live updates

1. 13m ago

   AMD confirms GPU driver bug causing excessive SSD writes, fix in development

   AMD has acknowledged a bug in its Radeon graphics drivers that causes constant, unnecessary writes to solid-state drives, potentially shortening their lifespan. The issue stems from the External Events Utility component and mirrors a previous chipset driver problem. Multiple outlets report the company is actively working on a software fix, though no release date has been provided. In the interim, users have identified temporary workarounds to mitigate the excessive write activity.

   Why it matters

   This recurrence highlights a persistent pattern in AMD's Windows driver stack where background utilities generate heavy I/O loads without user awareness. The earlier chipset driver bug exhibited similar behavior, suggesting a systemic issue in how AMD's software telemetry or event handling interacts with storage subsystems. Budget SSDs with lower terabytes-written endurance ratings face disproportionate risk from the unchecked write volumes, which can reach hundreds of gigabytes per day.

   What is confirmed

   • AMD confirmed a bug in Radeon graphics drivers causes excessive SSD writes.
   • The bug originates in the External Events Utility component.
   • A similar SSD-degrading bug previously existed in AMD chipset drivers.
   • AMD states a software fix is in development.
   • Users have discovered temporary workarounds to reduce the write activity.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The constant writes may reach hundreds of gigabytes per day.
   • Budget SSDs with lower endurance ratings are particularly vulnerable.

   What to watch next

   • Release of the corrected Radeon driver version
   • Independent verification that the fix eliminates excessive writes
   • AMD disclosure of affected driver versions and GPU models
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. Neowin — Old AMD Windows chipset driver bug that quietly degrades SSDs now back on GPUs
   2. Windows Report — AMD Confirms Radeon Driver Bug That May Shorten SSD Lifespan
   3. Wccftech — AMD Acknowledges Radeon Driver Bug Causing Constant SSD Writes, Fix In The Works
   4. www.cnet.com — What to Do if a Bug in Your AMD GPU Is Wearing Down Your SSD
   5. www.xda-developers.com — My motherboard was feeding my CPU too much voltage, and one BIOS tweak fixed it
   6. www.notebookcheck.net — AMD quietly kills SSDs: Radeon drivers write gigabytes of ...
   7. www.pcworld.com — AMD confirms bug causing excessive SSD wear - PCWorld
   8. pccentral.net — AMD chipset driver bug silently degrades GPU performance ...
   9. tech.yahoo.com — AMD confirms GPU driver bug is wearing out your SSD – how to ...
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