MSI Kombustor Not Working? Fix Common Errors & Issues
MSI Kombustor is a reliable GPU stress testing tool, but like any software, it can occasionally run into issues. If MSI Kombustor is not working on your system — whether it won’t open, crashes during a test, or shows error messages — this guide covers the most common problems and how to fix them step by step.
MSI Kombustor Won’t Open or Start
If MSI Kombustor fails to launch or nothing happens when you click the executable, try the following fixes:
Check Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and look for any existing MSI Kombustor process running in the background. If you find one, right-click it and select “End Task,” then try launching the application again.
Run as Administrator: Right-click the MSI Kombustor shortcut or executable and select “Run as administrator.” Some systems require elevated privileges for GPU stress testing tools to access hardware directly.
Reinstall the application: Uninstall MSI Kombustor completely, restart your PC, then download the latest version and install it fresh. Corrupted installation files are a common cause of launch failures.
Check your antivirus: Some antivirus programs flag GPU stress testing tools as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Add MSI Kombustor to your antivirus whitelist or exclusion list.
Black Screen During Stress Test
A black screen during a stress test usually indicates that your GPU is being pushed beyond its stable limits. This is especially common if you are running an overclock.
Reset your GPU clocks to stock: If you have overclocked your GPU using MSI Afterburner or any other tool, reset the core clock and memory clock to their default values. Then run the stress test again.
Check GPU temperatures: Use MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO64 to monitor your GPU temperature. If the card is reaching 90 degrees Celsius or higher before the black screen occurs, your GPU is likely thermal throttling or shutting down to protect itself.
Improve cooling: Make sure your case has adequate airflow. Clean any dust from your GPU fans and heatsink. Consider increasing your fan curve in MSI Afterburner.
Vulkan Renderer Errors
If MSI Kombustor displays an error related to the Vulkan renderer or fails to start a Vulkan-based test, the issue is usually driver-related.
Update your GPU drivers: Download and install the latest drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Outdated drivers are the number one cause of Vulkan errors in stress testing tools.
Verify Vulkan support: Not all GPUs support Vulkan. Very old graphics cards (pre-2012) may not have Vulkan support at all. Check your GPU’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website.
Try OpenGL mode instead: If Vulkan continues to cause issues, switch to an OpenGL-based test in MSI Kombustor. OpenGL tests are more widely compatible and will still stress your GPU effectively.
PhysXCore.dll Error
The “PhysXCore.dll not found” or “PhysXCore.dll is missing” error occurs when the NVIDIA PhysX runtime is not installed on your system. Some MSI Kombustor test modes use PhysX for physics-based stress testing.
Install NVIDIA PhysX: Download the latest PhysX System Software from NVIDIA’s website and install it. This applies to both NVIDIA and AMD GPU users, as PhysX is a separate runtime.
Reinstall GPU drivers: If you have an NVIDIA GPU, performing a clean driver installation (using the “Clean Install” option in the NVIDIA installer) will also reinstall PhysX automatically.
Low FPS or Poor Scores
If MSI Kombustor is running but you are getting unusually low FPS or benchmark scores compared to what you expect for your GPU model, consider these factors:
Update your GPU drivers: Outdated drivers can significantly reduce performance in benchmark and stress testing tools.
Close background applications: Other applications consuming GPU resources (browsers with hardware acceleration, video players, games) will reduce your stress test scores. Close everything non-essential before testing.
Check for thermal throttling: If your GPU temperature is consistently above 85 to 90 degrees Celsius during the test, the card may be throttling its clock speeds to stay within safe thermal limits. This will show as lower FPS and scores.
Check power settings: Make sure your Windows power plan is set to “High Performance” and not “Power Saver.” Also ensure your GPU power limit is not reduced in MSI Afterburner.
MSI Kombustor Crashes After Few Minutes
If MSI Kombustor starts fine but crashes or freezes after running for a few minutes, the most likely cause is thermal throttling or an unstable overclock.
Monitor temperatures: Use MSI Afterburner’s on-screen display or HWiNFO64 to watch your GPU temperature during the stress test. If it climbs rapidly past 90 degrees Celsius before the crash, heat is the problem.
Reduce or remove your overclock: An overclock that appears stable in games may not be stable under a full GPU stress test. Dial back your core clock and memory clock by 25 to 50 MHz and test again.
Improve case airflow: Make sure intake and exhaust fans are working properly. Clean dust filters. Consider adding additional case fans if temperatures are consistently high.
Check your PSU: An underpowered or failing power supply unit can cause crashes under heavy GPU load. Make sure your PSU wattage meets or exceeds the recommended specification for your graphics card.
Compatibility Issues with Windows
If MSI Kombustor behaves erratically or shows visual glitches on your version of Windows, try these steps:
Run in compatibility mode: Right-click the MSI Kombustor executable, go to Properties, then the Compatibility tab. Try running it in compatibility mode for Windows 8 or Windows 7.
Update Windows: Make sure your Windows installation is fully updated. Some GPU-related features and APIs receive updates through Windows Update.
Try the latest version: Older versions of MSI Kombustor may have compatibility issues with newer Windows builds. Download the latest version (v4.1.36) which includes the most recent fixes and GPU support.
Still Not Working?
If none of the above solutions fix your issue, try a completely clean reinstall:
If the problem persists after a clean reinstall, it may be a hardware-specific issue. You can reach out to us at admin@msikombustor.com with details about your system (GPU model, Windows version, error message) and we will try to help.