How to Update Your Graphics Drivers (NVIDIA, AMD and Intel)

Your graphics driver is the software that lets Windows and your games talk to your graphics card. NVIDIA, AMD and Intel release new versions regularly, often timed for big game launches. Keeping your driver up to date can fix bugs and improve compatibility with new games.

This guide is based on official instructions from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel and Microsoft, plus the developer of Display Driver Uninstaller, all credited at the end. Forge PC hasn't tested any particular driver version, and we don't make claims about performance changes between versions.

Before you start

• Find out which graphics card you have. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button, then expand Display adapters.

• Save your work and close games and other apps. AMD's installation guide recommends closing applications before you install.

• Expect the screen to flicker. AMD notes that it's normal for the display to flicker briefly while the driver installs.

NVIDIA GeForce cards

The easiest way is the NVIDIA app, which NVIDIA describes as the companion app for keeping your drivers up to date.

1. Download and install the NVIDIA app from NVIDIA's website.

2. Open it and check for driver updates.

3. Choose a driver type. NVIDIA offers two:

4. Game Ready drivers are tuned and tested for new game releases. Choose these for a gaming PC.

5. Studio drivers are aimed at creative applications, with NVIDIA promising performance and reliability for artists and designers.

6. Download and install the latest driver, then restart if you're asked to.

If you'd rather not install the app, you can choose your card and Windows version on NVIDIA's driver download page and download the installer yourself.

AMD Radeon cards

AMD's drivers come in a package called AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. AMD's guide says it supports Windows 11 version 21H2 or later, and 64-bit Windows 10 version 1809 or later.

1. Download AMD's Auto-Detect and Install Tool from AMD's drivers page, or search for your card by name.

2. Run the installer. Select Accept & Express Install to use the default settings.

3. If you want to choose options, select Additional Options instead. AMD offers three installation types: Default, with all AMD Software features, Minimal, with only basic controls, and Driver Only, with no AMD Software interface.

4. Restart when you're asked to.

AMD's custom options include Factory Reset. AMD says it removes all previous versions of AMD Software and temporarily pauses Windows updates, and warns that "you will not be able to roll back to the previously installed drivers". Use it only if you're fixing a problem.

Intel Arc cards

Intel publishes its Arc graphics drivers for Windows on its download centre. The current driver supports Arc B-series and A-series cards, plus Core Ultra processors with Arc graphics. Download the installer for your version of Windows and run it. Intel also offers a tool that identifies your hardware and checks for updates automatically.

Intel warns that its generic driver will replace any customised driver supplied by your laptop or PC maker. If you use a laptop, check the maker's support site first.

What about Windows Update?

Windows Update also installs drivers. Microsoft says drivers delivered this way are "normally recent and up to date". However, Windows Update may not always offer the newest version. Intel's driver page even covers what to do if Windows Update replaces a driver you've just installed with an older one. For gaming, we'd use the graphics card maker's own tools.

When to do a clean install

Most of the time, installing a new driver over the old one is fine. A clean install, which completely removes the old driver first, is worth doing if you're having crashes or display problems, or if you're switching between NVIDIA, AMD and Intel cards.

For AMD cards, AMD's own AMD Cleanup Utility removes previous AMD graphics drivers. AMD recommends running it in Windows safe mode. It creates a System Restore point before it starts, can take 15 to 20 minutes, and needs a restart afterwards. AMD says it doesn't remove AMD chipset drivers.

For any brand, Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a popular free tool. Its developer's guide recommends that you:

1. Download your new driver first.

2. Back up anything important, just in case.

3. Disconnect from the internet, so Windows doesn't install a driver automatically. The guide recommends this especially on Windows 10.

4. Run DDU in safe mode, which the guide recommends.

5. Choose Clean and restart for a normal clean-up, or Clean and shutdown if you're about to swap your graphics card.

6. Install the new driver after the restart.

The guide notes that DDU also removes any settings and profiles you've created in your graphics control panel, so you may need to redo things like colour settings and refresh rates afterwards.

How to roll back a driver

If a new driver causes problems, you can go back to the previous version. In Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card and choose Properties. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver. Microsoft says you need administrator rights to do this. If you can't roll back, download an older version from the manufacturer's website and install it after a clean uninstall.

Still having problems?

If your PC won't display anything after a driver update, our guide to fixing a PC that won't turn on or boot has more steps to try. If you're thinking about a new card instead, see our best graphics card picks.

Our verdict

For most people, updating graphics drivers is quick: use the NVIDIA app, AMD Software or Intel's driver download, choose the default options and restart. Save clean installs with AMD's Cleanup Utility or DDU for when you have problems or are changing cards, and remember that Device Manager can roll back a driver that causes trouble.