Scan Failed With Code 3 | MSI Afterburner OC Scanner Failed To Start Scanning

There are numerous PC enthusiasts who mostly prefer to overclock their GPU and to do that they use this MSI Afterburner OC Scanner. But the fact is there have been so many complaints about this tool that it doesn’t work correctly. Basically, it fails to start scanning and even if it completes the scan, the result turns out inaccurate. 

Now if you’re worrying about this issue then please don’t. We’re here to explain the reasons behind this and suggest you effective solutions. Just take a few minutes to read the entire post. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Why This ‘Scan Failed With Code 3’ Issue Occurs?

Even though a number of causes are suspected for overall issues regarding MSI Afterburner OC Scanner, there are two particular causes behind occurring this specific issue. Those are –

1. There’s a bug-related issue with the MSI Afterburner version.
2. The GPU BIOS is outdated.

Now that you know the reasons, it’s time to go for the solutions.

How to Solve this ‘Scan Failed With Code 3’ Issue?

The solutions are pretty simple themselves and we’re going to present them even in a more convenient way. So, sit relax and follow the solutions as instructed –

Solution 1: Reinstall the Latest Version

The bug-related issue is considered the most common reason in this case. Fortunately, it requires an easy solution. All you need to do is reinstall the MSI Afterburner’s latest version. So –

Step 1: Start by searching for programs in the Windows search bar and select Add or Remove programs.

Step 2: In the installed application list, search for MSI Afterburner and uninstall it. 

Step 3: Now, open your preferred browser and go to its official page.

Step 4: Then download the latest version and install it.

Solution 2: Upgrade the GPU BIOS

This is another best solution to resolve this issue. It’ll only take about 4 to 5 minutes. Just make sure that you have relevant information about your GPU. Therefore –

Step 1: First, open your browser and visit this link.

Step 2: After that, in the Refine Search Parameters section, provide the necessary information.

Step 3: Now, from the BIOS list, check for your BIOS’s latest version.

Step 4: Once you find it, download the version using the Download button next to it.

Step 5: Now, you’ll require a relevant flashing tool according to the manufacturer. You’ll find the latest flashing tools for both NVIDIA and AMD here. 

Now, we’ll share the BIOS flashing procedures for both manufacturers uniquely.

Flashing BIOS for NVIDIA users

After downloading the flashing tool –

Step 1: Extract the downloaded zip file to its own folder. Then store the BIOS file in the same folder. Just to clarify, ensure that your BIOS file is in the same folder as nvflash.exe and its related files.

Step 2: Next, double-click on nvflash.exe to start up the tool. After that, you’ll see a console window that looks something like this –

Step 3: Now, to update your BIOS, type in nvflash yourfilenamehere.bios (replace yourfilenamehere with the actual file name of your BIOS) and then let the tool do the job and you’re done!

Flashing BIOS for AMD users

After downloading the flashing tool –

Step 1: First of all, you should extract the zip file into the same folder where put the BIOS file that you downloaded earlier. 

Step 2: Then right-click on the executable file and run it as an administrator. Now follow the onscreen command and flash your BIOS with this easy-to-use tool. As simple as that!

If you’ve tried all of the above and you are still getting the Scan failed with code 3 error, then you may need to contact MSI support for help.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers)

How long does the OC scanner take?

When you allow the OC Scanner, it starts running a series of tests that determines the most stable overclock the GPU can handle. The overall procedure can take approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete. After that, it’s suggested that test the new settings to ensure that the system is stable by clicking Test.

What MSI Afterburner OC scanner actually is?

In short, MSI Afterburner is a graphics utility developed by MSI. It assists you to overclock your GPU, do benchmarking, and monitor in-game graphics performance through CPU usage, GPU usage, RAM usage, FPS, etc.

How safe is the MSI Afterburner OC scanner?

According to the manufacturer, MSI, the latest OC scanner feature in the MSI Afterburner is entirely safe and it’s pretty easy to use. All it requires to do the overclocking is just clicking a particular button. That’s it. 

Conclusion

That’s all about solving the Scan Failed With Code 3 issue regarding MSI Afterburner OC scanner utility including the causes behind it and the relevant solutions. If you want to get rid of this error, make sure to apply the solutions accordingly. If you find this post useful, let us know which solution does the job for you.