How To Fix Razer Blade 18 Missing Advanced Optimus
It’s possible that the option for Advanced Optimus might disappear from Razer’s new Blade 18 (2023) gaming laptop after updating the Nvidia drivers, here’s how to fix it.
I only experienced this issue once, so did not mention it in my review of the Blade 18 as I thought it was just a weird one off, however other people have also reported the option for advanced optimus disappearing.
Razer have provided BIOS version 2.02 under the drivers & downloads tab on this page to fix the problem.
The fix was published on February 25th 2023, and notes: “Fix DDS function missing issue on unit with BIOS 1.01 after updated to NV GPU public driver 528.xx”
DDS stands for Dynamic Display Switching, also known as Advanced Optimus, so following the update steps on that page should fix the problem.
20 Comments
Gustavo Navarro
I don’t have a Razer Blade, but this website always has good posts, a lot of people will be able to fix the issue. Thanks Jarrod!!!
Jarrod
Cheers!
Allen Zhong
hello i’ve been wondering if you could make a video on the new Gigabyte G5 with 4050 and the MSI GF63 with the 4050 as well as im currently looking for a cheap 40 series gaming laptop and im not sure which one.
Jarrod
I hope so, waiting for them to send them over.
Rohan Kumar Singh
I just bought this Dell G15 5525 RTX 3050 and in the BIOS it shows an option for Advanced Optimus ( I disabled it and the laptop worked for some time ) But the next time it showed black screen issues when starting up. I also updated Nvidia Graphics Drivers after resetting BIOS and doing clean install of Drivers.
In the Nvidia Control Panel I got an option for Turning off Optimus again but as soon as I clicked it and applied it. It just disappeared and no effect on the Optimus.
Now I’m using the laptop on Advanced Optimus enabled although I don’t understand why it’s available in BIOD but I can’t disable it for my use.
My laptop is Dell G15 5525 RTX 3050 RYZEN 5 6600H 16GB.
Jarrod
If you get the option in Nvidia CP then it sounds like it should be fine. Some laptops that don’t support it might still have it in BIOS because brands are lazy and just use same BIOS for many models, whether or not they support a feature. I guess it might not have it, but from what you’ve said it sounds like it should.
Rohan Kumar Singh
Yeah even I am getting confused because when I open NVIDIA CP sometimes the Optimus option is there but as soon as I switch it off the Section dissapears.
It’s a section under 3D->Manage Display Settings->Optimus
When I switch to NVIDIA card and apply the settings it dissapears and after some restarts of laptop it comes back.
Kinda annoying. I have stopped Disabling Optimus in BIOS because I don’t have an external Monitor.
Hopefully I get any update which enables Optimus.
Thanks for replying though.
Gustavo Navarro
Hello everyone, I have a similar issue with my Alienware x14. I’ve tried to keep “Nvidia GPU only” enabled from Control Panel. However, after connecting an external monitor/projector that sets it up automatically to “Automatic Select; Integrated Graphics” and doesn’t allow me to change that setting until after unplugging the external monitor/projector.
This is a big problem for me because I model with Blender and need to show 3D models in real time to colleagues in work meetings. Most of those models are very demanding on GPU memory, and integrated graphics is not enough, you know.
What should I do to fix the issue? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot for reading!
Jarrod
Advanced optimus options cannot be used with an external screen on any laptop, so that’s normal behavior.
Most modern gaming laptops have at least one display output that connects directly to the discrete graphics and bypasses the integrated graphics. According to my x14 review, the two Thunderbolt 4 ports connect to the iGPU, while the Type-C port that is NOT TB4 connects to Nvidia.
Failing that, you can probably use the traditional MUX switch in the BIOS and completely disable the integrated graphics that way.
Allen
wondering if anybody knows if the gigabyte auros 5 se4, msi gf63 thin (2023) and gigabyte g5 2023 has advanced optimus?
Jarrod
Not sure yet, I just bought a GF63 so I’ll update my page soon: https://jarrods.tech/list-of-gaming-laptops-with-mux-switch/
Really doubt it from such a budget design though.
Gustavo Navarro
I’m sorry Allen, I have no idea, but I’m sure Jarrod knows.
Excuse me, Jarrod. Would you be so kind to solve our doubts, please?
I’m glad to know about you and thank you in advance!
Marco
Sorry for this off-topic question, but have full-height RJ-45 ethernet ports completely died out from the lower laptop segment?
I want to upgrade my secondary laptop from a 2017 Acer Aspire to a 2020s Ryzen 5 or 7 laptop, but it seems everything at or below EUR 1000 of the last years either has no RJ-45 at all or a half-height RJ-45 port.
On my main laptop (XMG Core) within a few weeks of arrival the half-height RJ-45’s plastic cover broke off and I had to wrangle the metal clip to be able to remove the ethernet cable, so even for a mostly stationary secondary laptop I would like to avoid having that annoyance again…
Jarrod
They’re still quite common, just depends on the laptop though. I’ve got Lenovo Legion stuff here at the moment and it’s full port, just stick the cable right in.
Allen
i was surfing the internet for a relatively cheap 40 series gaming laptop and came across this: https://www.newegg.com/global/au-en/obsidian-black-acer-nitro-5-an515-58-56ch-gaming/p/N82E16834360248
an acer nitro 5 with a 4050, however im not sure what GTP the 4050 has as the msi GF63 4050 is a 45watt GTP (i think). does any know and should i buy it? $1770 Aud or should i wait for the nitro 16 which meant to be around same price (which i doubt)
Jarrod
I bought that exact model and will cover it in a few weeks.
Fredrik
Hey
Thinking of buying a new pc and try out a laptop this time.
Friend of my bought a Acer nitro 5 15.6
Spec
3070 ti
Ryzen 7 6800h
DDR 5 4800 MHz
1 TB
165hz Qhd
But he did not have the time to play so much and asked me if I would like to buy it.
I’m not so good on laptops parts and prices
Price is 15-17k is it worth it?
Allen
15k? like 15,000? if its that much i dont recommend, it its maybe 3-4k then maybe, 3070 ti is still extremly good at gaming easy 100+ fps in some games with the ryzen 7. of course its up to you if you want to buy it, maybe do some research
Fredrik
Ooh my bad forgot to convert the value haha
Well 15k is around 1450 USD or 2200 AUD for me if it makes more sense.
Haven’t found that much info about this model on the web.
Allen
well in that case thats a very good deal for a 3070ti