Why would I be getting "no GPU detected" message when it's been fine until now.

I'm not familiar with it, but I researched it briefly, and apparently it's a software app designed to get more out of the GPU. I don't know if it has an issue or the actual GPU does.

Exactly what MBP do you have? Some have two GPUs, which yours appears to have. One of them can have issues, and the MBP can still work off the other one, it depends.

We may be able to do some trouble shooting here with the MBP model specs (year, model identifier), but Apple can do more in depth diagnostics.

For now, in addition to the specs, try running Apple Hardware Diagnostics: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

You're correct, you have a 2011 MBP with two GPUs, one separate (discrete) and soldered to the logic board, and the other built in to the CPU chip (integrated). In this model MBP, there have been many discrete GPU failures. Apple actually had a free repair program for them, but it has expired: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Because the discrete GPU is soldered to the logic board, it cannot be replaced; the entire logic board must be replaced, which is very difficult and quite expensive. Instead, there is an app which allows you to select the integrated GPU, to avoid the malfunctioning discrete GPU.

Install gfxCardStatus (https://gfx.io) and set it to "i" (integrated graphics only). It will allow your MBP to run on integrated graphics only, bypassing the discrete GPU which has the issues. This may allow your MBP to run normally, although it will have reduced graphics performance when permforming demanding graphics tasks. This may not stop the CUDA message from popping up, in which case it will have to be uninstalled/deleted. The alternative is replacing the logic board, which is not cost effective on a machine that old, unless gfx does not resolve the issue and you really want to keep this MBP.

Also, Grant Bennet-Alder claims:

There is an acknowledged bug in the current version of Cody Kreiger's Open-Source gfxcardstatus, and the developer has confessed he does not have time to fix it right now.

There is a fork off the main build by steveschow available that seems to fix that problem for current versions of MacOS such as ElCapitan and Sierra. He provides a finished .app for direct download -- you do not have to compile anything.

https://github.com/steveschow/gfxCardStatus/releases

Take it to an Apple store. If you are lucky you might get a genius who takes pity on you & tries to help as it was covered by the known issue. It is very unlikely anything will happen as it is 6 years old & 2 years beyond the term Apple decided was long enough to repair these Macs.

Frankly you should consider looking for another Mac. Repairs to GPU's will reuse old parts and are not a good long term fix. I'm sure Apple will make you an offer for melting down the aluminium 🙂

Keep good external backups & hobble along with the integrated GPU is also an option.

Hi,

I don't know in your situation, but GPUs can die like any other hardware, at any time.