Salad logoSalad logo
Salad logoSalad logo
Quickstart
Troubleshooting
Degraded StateDegraded State error codesFailed to update container environmentFailed to start container environmentFailed to start workloadSalad cannot access your GPUInsufficient VRAM and high VRAM activityHigh GPU usage, temperature, or the check can't runGPU performance lowGPU power limit setContainer networking issuesProblem detecting hardwareYour GPU is temporarily disabled
Discord
TroubleshootingDegraded State

High GPU usage, temperature, or the check can't run

Fix Degraded State errors 16 ("High GPU usage"), 17 ("High GPU temperature") and 41 ("Unable to run compatibility test").

What it means: Salad samples your graphics card for a short while before offering a container job. 16 means the card was already being used too much, 17 means it was too hot, and 41 means the check couldn't run at all (usually because the card was unavailable).

Why it happens:

  • Error 16 - something else is using the card: a game, a local AI model, mining software outside Salad, a rendering job, or video encoding. On machines with two dedicated GPUs the check sees the other card working and reports 16 even when "nothing" is running - your machine needs to be idle when Chopping.
  • Error 17 - the card starts the check already hot from a previous job, a game, or poor airflow. Laptops in quiet power modes throttle and heat up faster.
  • Error 41 - the card was temporarily unreachable (driver reset, crash recovery) or another program had exclusive control of it.

What to do

Close everything using the GPU

Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) > Processes, enable the GPU column and sort by it. Close games, Ollama/LM Studio, Stable Diffusion, OBS, video editors and any miner. Fully exit programs that sit in the system tray.

Two dedicated GPUs: let Salad use one

Disable the second card in Settings > Configure Hardware so the check runs on a free card. Salad can only earn with one GPU per PC (details).

Error 17: cool the card down

Make sure fans spin, vents and heatsinks are clear of dust, and the case has airflow. On laptops, use the vendor's performance mode and a hard surface or cooling pad. Give the card a few minutes to cool, then Retry.

Error 41 or repeated 16 with nothing running

Exit Salad from the tray icon, run wsl --shutdown in PowerShell, and start Salad again. If it keeps happening, do a clean driver reinstall: How to reinstall your GPU drivers.

Retry

Click Retry on the notification. If a program only runs while you're at the PC, the next automatic check (when Salad starts Chopping after you go idle) will usually pass on its own.

Still stuck?

Send Salad Support a screenshot of Task Manager sorted by GPU while the error shows, your GPU model(s), the notification with its number, and your logs folder zipped (how to find it).

Edit on GitHub

Last updated on

Insufficient VRAM and high VRAM activity

Fix Degraded State errors 13, 24, 25 ("Insufficient VRAM") and 18 ("High VRAM activity"): too much of your GPU's memory is in use when the compatibility check runs.

GPU performance low

Fix Degraded State error 42 ("GPU performance is too low compared to similar GPUs") and error 23 ("GPU failed health test").

On this page

What to doClose everything using the GPUTwo dedicated GPUs: let Salad use oneError 17: cool the card downError 41 or repeated 16 with nothing runningRetryStill stuck?