Fix: Adobe After Effects Not Using GPU on PC [5 Ways]

Despite its popularity among video and media tech, Adobe After Effects might cause issues such as slow rendering and other performance issues. This usually happens when After Effects cannot use GPU as expected.

This article discusses some effective methods to fix the issue and probable causes. Let’s get started! 

What causes Adobe After Effects is not using GPU to render?

There could be several reasons for this performance issue; some of the popular ones are mentioned here:

• GPU not enabled in After Effects – If the Use Graphics Processor option is disabled, the app will not use GPU.
• After Effects do not support your GPU – If you are using a low-end GPU or older graphics card, then those won’t be supported by After Effects, hence the issue.
• Old or obsolete graphics driver – The graphics drivers needs to be updated if you want to use any of the high GPU using app smoothly. If the graphics drivers are outdated, it may cause this issue.
• Composition settings are misconfigured –  The Composition settings are not set to use the GPU, you might face the problem. Ensure you have the Advanced 3D option enabled.

What can I do if Adobe After Effects is not using GPU?

1. Enable GPU in After Effects

1. Open Adobe After Effects. Go to File.
2. Click Project Settings. Go to General.
3. Under Video Rendering and Playback tab, and from the dropdown for Renderer option, select Mercury GPU Acceleration.
4. Click OK and click Save.
5. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
6. Locate and right-click the After Effects app and select End Task.

2. Update the graphics driver

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
3. Navigate and click on Display adapters. Next, right-click your graphics drivers and select Update driver.
4. On the next window, click Search automatically for drivers.
5. Follow the prompts to complete.

3. Change Composition Settings

1. Launch Adobe After Effects. Go to Composition.
2. Under Composition Settings, go to 3D Renderer.
3. Also, set Ray-traced 3D.
4. Click OK.

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4. Add your GPU name to the RayTraced file

1. Right-click the Adobe After Effects app and select Open file location.
2. On the next window, locate the raytracer_supported_cards file.
3. Open the file and check if you can find your graphics card name.
4. You need to add it manually if you don’t find it there. Then, copy the raytracer_supported_cards file from the folder to the desktop.
5. To know the graphics card name, press Windows + R to open the Run box.
6. Type dxdiag, and press Enter to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
7. Switch to the Display tab, and note the name next to Chip Type.
8. Open the raytracer_supported_cards and write the name as it appears on the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
9. Click File and choose Save. 
10. Now copy this file, navigate to the Adobe After Effects file location and paste it there. It will ask you to replace it and click Yes.

5. Update Adobe After Effects

1. Launch the Creative Cloud Desktop app. 
2. Go to Apps, then click Updates.
3. Locate and click Check for updates. 
4. If the update is available for After Effects, click Update.

So, these are steps you need to take if Adobe After Effects is not using GPU to render. Try them and let us know which worked for you in the comments below.