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A new game launches, the graphics card maker releases a driver with a headline about “optimized performance”, and a pop-up tells you to update. Should you? Elsewhere, a game crashes to the desktop, the screen flickers, or Windows says “display driver stopped responding”, and every forum thread says “update your drivers”. Graphics drivers are the software layer between your games and your graphics card, and getting them right fixes a surprising number of problems. Getting them wrong, or ignoring them for years, causes others.

This guide explains what graphics drivers do, how to check which version you have, where to download the right one, how to update safely, when a clean installation is worth doing, how to roll back a bad driver, and how to troubleshoot installs that fail. It is based on general Windows and PC knowledge. Software names and menus change between versions, so use the descriptions as a map and follow the instructions from your graphics card maker.

Last updated: November 1, 2026.

What a Graphics Driver Does

A driver is a small piece of software that lets the operating system and games talk to a piece of hardware. A graphics driver tells Windows how to use your graphics card, translates game commands into instructions the card understands, and controls features such as resolution, refresh rate and adaptive sync.

Game developers test games against specific driver behaviors, and graphics card makers release updates to fix bugs, add features and improve performance in new games. That is why a driver update is sometimes a big deal and often does nothing at all. For most people, the right approach is not to chase every release, but to stay reasonably current and update when you have a reason.

Should You Update Your Graphics Driver?

Not always. Use this table to decide.

Situation Update? Why
A new game you want has crashes or low performance Yes Makers often release game-specific fixes
You are seeing glitches, flickers or crashes Yes, then test An update may fix a known bug
You installed a new graphics card Yes You need the correct driver for the card
Everything works fine and you have no new games Optional No need to risk new problems
You have not updated in a year or more Yes You miss fixes and security patches
A new driver caused problems Roll back Return to the last stable version
Your monitor settings or HDR behave oddly Check settings, then update May be fixed in a driver or a setting

A sensible rule: update when you have a reason, and wait a short time after a major release if you depend on your PC for work. If a driver goes wrong, rolling back is easy.

Step 1: Find Out What You Have

Before updating, identify your graphics hardware and the current driver version.

  1. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button).
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Note the name of each graphics adapter. Laptops often list two: integrated graphics and a dedicated card.
  4. Right-click the adapter, choose Properties, then the Driver tab to see the version and date.

You can also use Task Manager’s Performance tab or the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag). Our guide to checking PC specs shows each method. Write down the exact model name of the graphics card, since drivers are specific to the maker and family.

Step 2: Choose the Right Source

Download drivers from official sources only.

  • NVIDIA cards. Use NVIDIA’s official app or the driver download page on its website.
  • AMD cards. Use AMD’s Software: Adrenalin Edition or the driver download page on its website.
  • Intel graphics. Use Intel’s graphics software or its driver download page.
  • Laptops. Laptops sometimes need drivers from the laptop maker, who may customize them. Generic drivers from the graphics maker may work, but check the laptop maker’s support page, especially for hybrid graphics.
  • Windows Update. Windows can install a driver automatically, usually a bit older than the maker’s latest. It is fine for basic use, but gamers usually prefer the maker’s version.

Avoid random driver download sites and “driver updater” programs of unknown origin. They can bundle unwanted software or provide wrong versions.

Driver types

NVIDIA offers different driver branches. A “Game Ready” type focuses on new game support, while a “Studio” type focuses on stability for creative software. Gamers typically use the first. Other makers have simpler choices. If a software tool lets you choose, pick the one that matches your use.

Step 3: Update the Driver

The easy way: the maker’s app

  1. Open the graphics card maker’s app or control software.
  2. Check for updates.
  3. Choose to download and install.
  4. Pick the express or standard installation.
  5. Restart if asked.

The manual way: download the installer

  1. Go to the maker’s driver page.
  2. Select your product type, series and model, and your Windows version.
  3. Download the installer.
  4. Close other programs and run it.
  5. Choose the standard installation, or the custom option if you want a clean install.
  6. Wait for the screen to flicker during installation. This is normal.
  7. Restart the PC.

After restarting, check that the driver version has changed, and that your resolution and refresh rate are still correct. Open display settings and confirm your monitor runs at the right values. See our monitor calibration guide if the picture needs adjusting.

Clean Installation: When It Helps

A normal update installs over the old driver. A clean installation removes old settings and files first. It helps when:

  • You are switching from one graphics brand to another.
  • You have persistent glitches or crashes after earlier updates.
  • An update failed or was interrupted.
  • You changed a graphics card and the old driver left traces.
  • Performance dropped after several updates in a row.

Clean install options

  1. The installer’s clean option. Many installers have a “perform a clean installation” tick box in the custom or advanced option. This resets driver settings and removes older profiles.
  2. Uninstall through Windows. In Settings, Apps, find the graphics driver and uninstall, then restart and install the new driver.
  3. A dedicated removal tool. Third-party display driver uninstallers run in safe mode to remove leftover driver files. They are powerful and best for serious problems. Follow the tool’s instructions carefully.

Before a clean installation, download the new driver and note any custom settings, such as fan curves or color profiles, because they may reset. Disconnect from the internet during the removal if you do not want Windows to install a generic driver automatically, then reconnect after the new driver is installed.

Rolling Back a Bad Driver

Sometimes a new driver causes crashes, poor performance or odd behavior. You can return to the previous version.

Windows rollback

  1. Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters.
  2. Right-click your graphics adapter and choose Properties.
  3. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if it is available.
  4. Pick a reason and confirm.
  5. Restart the PC.

Install an older version

If rollback is unavailable, download an older driver from the maker’s website, which keeps a list of previous versions, and install it using the clean installation option. Note which version worked well for you, and keep a copy of the installer.

Prevent automatic changes

If Windows keeps replacing your driver, check Windows Update options for driver updates, and consider pausing automatic driver installation in advanced settings. Keep your own record of the working version.

Other Drivers That Matter for Gaming

The graphics driver is not the only one.

  • Chipset drivers. From your motherboard or processor maker. They affect storage, USB and power management. Update them from time to time.
  • Audio drivers. Sound card and motherboard audio. Update if you hear crackling.
  • Network drivers. Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters. Update if you have connection drops. Our PCIe WiFi card list and USB WiFi adapter list cover adapters that may need drivers.
  • BIOS or firmware. Update the motherboard BIOS only when needed, such as for CPU support or a known fix, and follow the maker’s instructions. A BIOS update interrupted by a power loss can be serious.
  • Monitor drivers. Usually automatic, but some monitors have color profiles you can install.

Troubleshooting Driver Problems

Problem Likely cause What to try
Installer fails or freezes Conflicting software or corrupted download Close other programs, re-download, try the clean install option
Black screen after installing Display output or driver conflict Wait a minute; restart; boot to safe mode and roll back
“Display driver stopped responding” Driver crash, overheating or overclock Reset overclocks, check temperatures, update or roll back
Games crash after an update Driver bug Roll back to the previous version
Resolution stuck low Generic Windows driver installed Install the maker’s driver
Only one of two graphics adapters works on a laptop Hybrid graphics settings Check laptop maker’s driver and Windows graphics settings
Flickering or artifacts Driver, cable or card fault Try another cable, update or clean install, check the card temperature
Performance dropped Power plan, driver settings reset Check power settings and graphics control panel

If problems continue across several driver versions, consider hardware causes: an overheating card (see our overheating guide), a weak power supply, poorly seated hardware, or a failing card. Our graphics card installation guide covers reseating and checks.

Settings Worth Checking After an Update

  • Resolution and refresh rate. Confirm both are set to the monitor’s native values.
  • Adaptive sync. Make sure FreeSync or G-SYNC is still enabled.
  • Power mode. Choose the mode that suits you. Maximum performance raises power and heat.
  • Per-game profiles. Check that settings for important games have not been reset.
  • Color settings. Updates sometimes reset color adjustments.
  • Overlay and recording features. Turn them off if you do not use them, to reduce overhead.

Common Mistakes

  • Downloading drivers from unofficial sites.
  • Installing a driver for the wrong card or Windows version.
  • Using “driver updater” programs that bundle extras.
  • Updating right before an important deadline.
  • Ignoring the clean installation option after repeated problems.
  • Forgetting to record the version that worked.
  • Updating the BIOS casually.
  • Skipping chipset drivers on a new build.
  • Panicking at a black screen during installation, which is usually temporary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I update my graphics driver?

When you need a fix or a new game, or every few months. There is no need to install every release if everything works.

Is it safe to update graphics drivers?

Generally yes when you use official sources. If a new version causes problems, you can roll back.

What is a clean installation?

An installation that removes old driver files and settings first. It helps when you have recurring issues or switch brands.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver first?

Not for a normal update from the same maker. It is useful when switching brands or fixing persistent problems.

Why did my screen go black when installing a driver?

The display resets during installation. It should return within a minute. If it does not, restart, and if needed boot into safe mode to roll back.

Will updating drivers improve FPS?

It can in newly released games, but gains are often small. Do not expect big improvements in older games.

Should I use Windows Update for graphics drivers?

It works for basic use, but gamers usually prefer drivers from the graphics maker, which are newer.

How do I know if a driver is the cause of a problem?

If the problem started right after an update, roll back and test. If it stays, look at hardware and temperatures.

Bottom Line

Graphics drivers matter, but you do not need to chase every release. Identify your card, download drivers only from the official maker, update when you have a reason such as a new game, a bug or a new card, and use the clean installation option when problems persist or you change brands. Keep a note of the last version that worked, so you can roll back quickly, and check your resolution, refresh rate and adaptive sync after each update. If problems continue across drivers, look at temperatures, power and hardware.