Display Issue on ASUS WRX80E-SAGE SE WIFI Motherboard: VGA Switch Behavior

Overview

On the ASUS WRX80E-SAGE SE WIFI motherboard, a physical VGA switch (VGA_SW) controls whether the onboard VGA controller is enabled or disabled. This can cause display issues when a dedicated GPU is also installed in the system.

By default, this VGA switch is enabled (ON), which activates the onboard VGA port. However, when using a GPU as your primary display output, the VGA switch must be set to OFF to prevent system confusion and graphical errors.

⚠️ Symptoms

When the VGA switch is left ON while a GPU is installed:

• The system may detect a phantom or "ghost" display from the onboard VGA.

• GPU drivers (such as NVIDIA's) may behave unpredictably or fail to load properly.

• You may experience issues like no video output, black screens, or display misconfigurations.

Solution

If you are using a dedicated GPU for display:

✅ Set the VGA Switch to OFF (Disabled)

This will disable the onboard VGA controller and allow the GPU to function properly as the primary display device.

If you intend to use the onboard VGA output (via VGA cable):

Leave the VGA switch ON (Enabled) and do not install a GPU for display output, or configure it accordingly via BIOS settings (not recommended for GPU-based systems).

Recovery Scenario: GPU Failure

If your GPU becomes faulty or fails to display output, the VGA switch must be turned ON to restore basic display capability via the onboard VGA port. Be sure to also connect a VGA cable to the onboard VGA port before powering on.

This allows you to:

• Access the BIOS or operating system

• Troubleshoot or install drivers

• Perform diagnostics or remote access setup

Switch Location on Motherboard

The VGA switch is labeled as “VGA_SW” and is item #27 in the motherboard layout.

Refer to the diagrams below:

1. Motherboard Layout

VGA Switch Diagram

(Shows ON = Enabled (Default), OFF = Disabled)

Summary

If you are still experiencing issues or would like help adjusting the switch, please reach out to Exxact Support.