How to Fix MSI Afterburner Scanning Issue: Application Failed to Start

Key Notes

  • Try restarting your system to resolve immediate issues.
  • Ensure GPU performance counters are accessible to all users.
  • Consider installing the latest version of MSI Afterburner if problems persist.

Resolving MSI Afterburner Scanning Problems: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re facing issues with MSI Afterburner’s scanning process on your gaming rig, you’re not alone. Many users have encountered similar setbacks. In this guide, we’ll explore straightforward workarounds and comprehensive solutions to help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively.

Fixing MSI Afterburner Scanning Issues

Initial Workarounds: Basic Solutions Before You Dive Deeper

If MSI Afterburner is not functioning correctly, start with these quick workarounds:

  1. Close the current MSI Afterburner instance. Restart your system, then retry.

Step 1: Adjust GPU Performance Counters

Ensure MSI Afterburner has the necessary system permissions to detect GPU counters.

Step 1: Access the NVIDIA Control Panel

Search for “NVIDIA Control Panel” in your system.

Step 2: Enable Developer Settings

Select “Desktop” and check “Enable Developer Settings”.

Step 3: Manage GPU Performance Counters

Under the “Developer” tab, set “Manage GPU Performance Counters” to “Allow access to the GPU Performance counters to all users”.

Step 4: Apply Changes and Restart

Click ‘Apply’ to save the changes and restart your computer.

Step 2: Activate CUDA

Modifying the 3D settings in NVIDIA Control Panel can help resolve the scanning issue.

Step 1: Open NVIDIA Control Panel

Search for and open the “NVIDIA Control Panel”.

Step 2: Navigate to 3D Settings

Click on “3D Settings” followed by “Manage 3D settings”.

Step 3: Set CUDA GPUs

In “Global settings”, set the “CUDA-GPUs” option to “All”.

Step 4: Save Changes

Save the settings in NVIDIA Control Panel and restart your PC.

Step 3: Terminate Background Processes

Conflicting instances of MSI Afterburner might be running in the background.

Step 1: Open Task Manager

Press Win + X and select “Task Manager”.

Step 2: Identify Active Processes

Look for any active MSI Afterburner processes.

Step 3: End Tasks

Right-click on the application and select “End task” to terminate it.

Step 4: Disable Automatic Tuning

Adjusting the GeForce Experience settings may help.

Step 1: Open GeForce Experience

Search for “GeForce Experience” and open the application.

Step 2: Navigate to Drivers Tab

Click on the “Drivers” tab.

Step 3: Configure Settings

Tap the gear icon to access settings, then enable “In-game overlay”.

Step 4: Modify Performance Settings

In the overlay, access the “Performance” tab and switch “Enable automatic tuning” to “On”.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 5: Switch to Legacy OC Scanner

If the standard OC scanner isn’t effective, use the legacy version instead.

Step 1: Open File Location

Search for “Afterburner” and right-click to select “Open file location”.

Step 2: Access Configuration File

Locate the “MSIAfterburner.cfg” configuration file and open it.

Step 3: Set Legacy Scanner to Active

In the configuration file, find the “LegacyOCScanner” setting and change its value to “1”.

Step 4: Save and Relaunch

Save your changes and relaunch MSI Afterburner to test the scanner.

Step 6: Increase Voltage Control

Adjusting voltage control settings can enhance performance.

Step 1: Launch MSI Afterburner

Open the MSI Afterburner application.

Step 2: Open Settings

Click the ⚙ button to access application settings.

Step 3: Uncheck Voltage Control

Uncheck the options for “Unlock voltage control” and “Unlock voltage monitoring”.

Step 4: Apply and Retry

Save the changes and try running the OC scan again.

Step 7: Reinstall MSI Afterburner

If all else fails, a full reinstall might be necessary.

Step 1: Uninstall MSI Afterburner

Search for “MSI Afterburner”, right-click, and select “Uninstall”.

Step 2: Download Latest Version

Visit the MSI Afterburner website and download the latest version.

Step 3: Install the Software

Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Additional Tips

  • Regularly check for updates to ensure compatibility and performance.
  • Make use of MSI forums and community support for additional solutions.
  • Familiarize yourself with MSI Afterburner’s full features to maximize your investment.

Summary

In this guide, we tackled common issues with the MSI Afterburner scanning process, providing step-by-step solutions ranging from simple fixes to detailed troubleshooting steps. These approaches should help enhance your system’s performance and restore Afterburner’s functionality.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve scanning issues within MSI Afterburner and make the most out of your gaming rig. Don’t hesitate to reach out to support or community forums if you encounter persistent problems.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What should I do if I’ve tried all the fixes and MSI Afterburner still won’t scan?

If none of the fixes worked, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the software, ensuring you download the latest version from the MSI website.

How can I check if my GPU performance counters are accessible?

You can check this via the NVIDIA Control Panel by ensuring that GPU Performance Counters are set to allow access to all users, as described in Step 1 of our guide.