How to Add or Remove the NVIDIA GPU Activity Notification Area Icon on the Taskbar in Windows

If you’re using an NVIDIA graphics card with Windows 10 or 11, you can enable the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon to check which programs are using dedicated GPU resources. It is a system tray icon that displays information about active apps using the NVIDIA GPU. Users usually enable the icon to monitor their GPU usage in real-time and to see which background apps are using the GPU unnecessarily. In contrast, those who disable it don’t often need to monitor GPU activity and prefer a cleaner taskbar.

This comprehensive guide will show you how to enable or disable the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon in various ways.

How to enable or disable the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon

Method 1: Using NVIDIA Control Panel (recommended)

1. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop and open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Click Desktop in the top menu bar.
3. Look for the Display GPU Activity Icon in Notification Area and do one of the following:
   • Tick the checkbox to enable it.
   • Untick the checkbox to disable it.
4. The NVIDIA GPU Activity icon should now appear in the notifications area of the taskbar if you enabled it or disappear if you disabled it.

Method 2: Using Windows taskbar settings

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Scroll down to the Notifications area section, then click Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
3. Toggle the switch for NVIDIA GPU Activity to On or Off to show or hide it.

Troubleshooting NVIDIA GPU Activity icon issues

Issue: NVIDIA GPU Activity icon missing even after enabling it

In case of a missing icon, even after enabling it, this can be because the NVIDIA Control Panel is not refreshing properly. Try restarting the NVIDIA Display Container LS service, which manages the NVIDIA Control Panel and system tray icons:

1. Press Windows + R and type services.msc, then hit OK.
2. Under Services, right-click NVIDIA Display Container LS.
3. Click Restart.

It can also be a cause of slow or crashing Windows Explorer. Try restarting the Windows Explorer using the following steps:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and click Task Manager.
2. Select Windows Explorer and hit Restart.

Issue: The option is grayed out in the NVIDIA Control Panel

The greyed-out option can be due to outdated or corrupt NVIDIA drivers. To fix this, update your NVIDIA drivers using GeForce Experience:

1. If NVIDIA GeForce Experience is not showing in the Taskbar, make sure it is installed first. If not, you can download it from the official NVIDIA Drivers page.
2. Once installed, go to the Drivers tab.
3. Click Check for Updates > Download.
4. Select your preferred installation type:
   • Express installation – Automatic process that installs core components.
   • Custom installation – Allows you to select or remove certain components.
5. The driver will then be installed.
6. Once done, click Close on the confirmation prompt.
7. Restart your system to apply changes.

Another option is to update your NVIDIA drivers using Device Manager. Take note that you must be signed as Administrator to perform this:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and click Device Manager.
2. Click Display Adapters to expand the category.
3. Right-click on the NVIDIA graphics card and select the Update driver.
4. If you have manually downloaded the latest drivers from the NVIDIA website, you can install them by selecting Browse my computer for drivers > Browse.
5. In the Browse For Folders, browse to the location where the drivers were downloaded, then hit OK.
6. Select Next, and the installation of the drivers will proceed.

Issue: GPU Activity icon shows no applications using the GPU

Some apps may not be recognized by the NVIDIA Activity Monitor. To fix this, check if your GPU is being used via Task Manager:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and open Task Manager.
2. Under the Performance tab, select GPU to display GPUs installed in your PC.
3. If you have multiple GPUs, navigate to GPU 0 and GPU 1 and check if any apps are using GPU Engine.

Issue: Can’t find the NVIDIA Control Panel?

Faulty graphics card drivers, latest updates, or simply being hidden are some of the reasons why you can’t find the NVIDIA Control Panel. Try reinstalling NVIDIA drivers by following these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and open Device Manager.
2. Click Display Adapters to expand the category.
3. Right-click on the NVIDIA graphics card and select Uninstall device.
4. Once uninstalled, go to NVIDIA – Download Drivers. Based on your computer’s configuration, select the appropriate:
   • Product Types
   • Product Series
   • Product
5. Download the driver, then install it on your PC.
6. After installation, restart your system.

Best practices for managing NVIDIA GPU Activity icon

Keep your NVIDIA drivers updated to ensure proper functionality

NVIDIA releases driver updates regularly to improve user performance, enhance stability and compatibility, and protect users against the latest security risks. Keeping your NVIDIA drivers updated allows your system to keep up with these advancements. Plus, it lets you access new features and proper functionality.

Disable unnecessary icons in the notification area for a clutter-free experience

Are you one of those who like minimal and clean UI? You’re not alone. The best action is to consider which icons are necessary and unnecessary in the notification area. Disable the unwanted icons to make your Taskbar clean and make your experience seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon impact system performance?

No, the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon is a lightweight feature that only shows your GPU activities for better monitoring. It doesn’t affect system performance.

How can I check which apps are using my GPU without the icon?

To check the GPU usage in Windows, go to Task Manager and navigate to the Performance tab. This will show the overall summary of your GPU usage.

Can I restore the icon if it disappears after a driver update?

Yes, missing icons can happen for various reasons, including a driver update. To restore, go to the NVIDIA Control Panel and check Display GPU Activity Icon in Notification Area under the Desktop tab. If it doesn’t work, try restarting your PC or reinstalling NVIDIA drivers.

Will disabling the icon affect my NVIDIA GPU settings?

No, disabling the icon will not affect your NVIDIA GPU settings. It will only remove the system tray indicator.

Is there a shortcut to toggle the GPU Activity icon?

No, there’s no official keyboard shortcut to toggle the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon on and off. You can manually enable or disable it through:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel via the Windows search bar.
2. Click on the Desktop menu.
3. Select Display GPU Activity icon in Notification Area to toggle it on or off.

Easily enable and disable the NVIDIA taskbar icon in Windows

The NVIDIA Control Panel and Windows Taskbar settings offer simple steps in enabling and disabling the NVIDIA GPU Activity icon. Enabling this can help you seamlessly monitor your GPU usage while disabling it (when not needed) allows you to have minimal and clean UI experience. If you’re an avid user, remember to keep NVIDIA drivers updated to achieve the best performance.