GPU Switching Not Working — Fix Guide
Core Ultra 7 155H
GPU
GPU switching not working on the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 means the Intel Arc iGPU and the Intel Arc Xe-LPG GPU (or any discrete GPU in your configuration) are not switching correctly based on workload, causing either constant high GPU usage on battery or no GPU acceleration for demanding applications. The Core Ultra 7 155H uses Intel’s Arc graphics with Intel AI Boost NPU. All confirmed fixes are below.
Update Intel Arc Graphics Driver Start here
Open Device Manager → Display adapters and confirm the Intel Arc Graphics driver version. Download the Lenovo-certified Intel Arc driver for the Yoga 9i Gen 9 (Machine Type 83AC) from Lenovo Support. The Core Ultra 7 155H Meteor Lake platform requires a specific Intel Arc driver version that handles the new GPU switching architecture, which is different from previous Intel Iris Xe switching behavior. Generic Intel Arc drivers from Intel.com may not correctly implement Lenovo Vantage performance mode integration.
Configure GPU Switching in Intel Graphics Command Center
Open Intel Graphics Command Center (search in Start menu) or install it from the Microsoft Store if not present. Go to System → Power and confirm the Optimized Battery Life vs Best Performance settings are configured correctly. Intel Arc on the Core Ultra 7 155H uses the Dynamic Power Share feature, which distributes power between the CPU and GPU. In Balanced mode, GPU switching should happen automatically. If the system always uses maximum GPU regardless of workload, switch to Optimized Battery Life mode and test.
Change Lenovo Vantage Performance Mode
Open Lenovo Vantage → Device → Power → Power Mode and confirm it is set to Intelligent Cooling (not Performance or Extreme Performance). The Yoga 9i Gen 9 performance modes directly control the Core Ultra 7 GPU power allocation. Performance mode keeps the Arc GPU at higher frequency continuously, which may appear as GPU switching not working. Intelligent Cooling allows the GPU frequency to scale down during light workloads on battery.
Update BIOS via Lenovo Vantage
Open Lenovo Vantage → Device → System Update and install any available BIOS updates. Lenovo has released BIOS firmware for the Yoga 9i Gen 9 that improves Core Ultra 7 power management, Dynamic Power Share behavior, and Arc GPU clock transition timing. An outdated BIOS can cause the GPU to remain at full power states because the firmware’s power state machine transitions are not correctly calibrated for the Meteor Lake architecture on this model.
I worked on a Yoga 9i Gen 9 where the Arc GPU stayed at full performance mode even during light use on battery. Changing Vantage to Intelligent Cooling and installing the Lenovo-certified Arc driver resolved the GPU power scaling correctly. The BIOS update was additionally needed on one unit where Arc GPU transitions were unstable after a Windows 11 update.
Per Aminah Kamaruddin, architect using Yoga 9i Gen 9 for CAD and presentation work: “The Lenovo Vantage Intelligent Cooling mode is essential for correct GPU switching on the Core Ultra models. Performance mode keeps the Arc GPU running full power all the time, which drains the battery very fast.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is GPU switching not working on Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9?
The most common causes are the Lenovo Vantage performance mode set to Performance or Extreme Performance (which keeps the GPU at full power), an outdated Intel Arc driver, or an outdated BIOS that does not correctly implement Core Ultra 7 Dynamic Power Share. Switch to Intelligent Cooling mode in Vantage and update the Lenovo-certified Arc driver.
Does the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 have a discrete GPU?
The standard configuration of the Yoga 9i Gen 9 Core Ultra 7 155H uses Intel Arc integrated graphics only, with Dynamic Power Share between the CPU and integrated Arc GPU. Some configurations may include a discrete GPU. Check the Device Manager Display adapters section to see all GPU devices present in your specific unit.
What is Intel Dynamic Power Share on Core Ultra 7 laptops?
Intel Dynamic Power Share is a feature on Core Ultra Meteor Lake laptops that dynamically redistributes the shared thermal design power budget between the CPU cores, integrated Arc GPU, and NPU based on workload demand. When properly configured in BIOS and driver, it provides automatic performance scaling without manual GPU switching. Outdated BIOS or driver versions can cause this feature to behave incorrectly.
How do I check which GPU is being used on Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9?
Open Task Manager, go to Performance, and click GPU on the left panel. You will see the GPU utilization and clock speed in real time. For detailed per-application GPU usage, use the GPU 0 and GPU 1 tabs if multiple GPUs are present, or use Intel Graphics Command Center for a breakdown of workload distribution across CPU, GPU, and NPU on the Core Ultra 7 platform.
Conclusion
GPU switching not working on the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 is almost always the Lenovo Vantage performance mode preventing the Intel Arc GPU from scaling down during light workloads. Switch to Intelligent Cooling mode first. Update the Lenovo-certified Intel Arc driver and BIOS via Lenovo Vantage System Update to ensure Intel Dynamic Power Share is correctly calibrated for the Core Ultra 7 155H Meteor Lake architecture.
Ryan holds a Computer Science degree and has over 20 years of hands-on experience with PC hardware, software, and driver troubleshooting. He is the author behind softwaredriverdownload.com, where he helps everyday users fix driver issues quickly and accurately. Ryan has personally tested most of the fixes on this site across a range of Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines.
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