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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
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TroubleshootingDegraded State

Problem detecting hardware

Fix the "Problem detecting hardware" / "Unable to detect hardware" notification, where the Salad app can't read your PC's hardware inventory and the machine never registers.

What it means: When Salad starts, it runs a small helper program that inventories your PC (CPU, GPU, memory, disks, network) and reports it to the network. If that helper can't start, or starts and never finishes, the app shows this notification and the machine isn't offered jobs. The GPU itself is usually detected fine by a separate check - this is about the inventory.

The "Problem detecting hardware" notification in the Salad app

Why it happens: In order of how often we see it:

  1. The Secondary Logon Windows service is disabled, so the app can't launch its helper programs (often done by "debloat" or optimization tools).
  2. Windows' management layer (WMI / PowerShell) hangs on a specific device query - Bluetooth adapters, network printers and unusual USB devices are the usual culprits - so the inventory never completes.
  3. The WMI repository is damaged or PowerShell has been disabled or broken.
  4. The PC has no desktop session (reached over Remote Desktop, or stuck at the sign-in screen).
  5. A security product blocks the helper from running.

What to do

Restart the PC

A plain restart clears a one-off hang. If the notification returns, continue.

Check the Secondary Logon service

Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Secondary Logon, open it and set Startup type to Manual if it is Disabled. Start Salad again.

Check PowerShell and WMI

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run winmgmt /verifyrepository. If it reports the repository is inconsistent, run winmgmt /salvagerepository, reboot and verify again. If PowerShell itself won't open or has been disabled, see Re-enable PowerShell.

Find a device query that hangs

In PowerShell, run these one at a time; each should finish within a few seconds:

Measure-Command { Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController | Out-Null }
Measure-Command { Get-CimInstance Win32_PnPEntity | Out-Null }
Measure-Command { Get-Printer | Out-Null }

If one takes minutes or never returns, that device class is the problem. Unplug or disable the matching device (Bluetooth dongle, network printer, odd USB device) as a test.

Make sure Salad has a desktop session

Salad needs a signed-in Windows desktop. See Using remote desktop with Salad if you reach the PC remotely.

Whitelist Salad in your security software

Add C:\Program Files\Salad and C:\ProgramData\Salad as exclusions: Antivirus guides.

Still stuck?

Send Salad Support which antivirus you use, the timings from step 4, whether the PC is accessed remotely, and your logs folder zipped (how to find it).

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Container networking issues

Fix Degraded State errors 31 (TCP) and 32 (UDP/DNS), "Container workloads are unable to access critical network services": the container environment can't reach the internet even though Windows can.

Your GPU is temporarily disabled

Why Salad shows "Your GPU is temporarily disabled" or a temporary workload block when a game or another intensive program is detected, and how to get the GPU back.

On this page

What to doRestart the PCCheck the Secondary Logon serviceCheck PowerShell and WMIFind a device query that hangsMake sure Salad has a desktop sessionWhitelist Salad in your security softwareStill stuck?