How to Update Your Graphics Driver in Windows 11 and 10

Your graphics driver lets Windows, apps and games use your graphics hardware. Microsoft notes that using the latest drivers makes sure your hardware works properly, and updating or rolling back the display driver is one of its fixes for a flickering screen. Windows 11 and 10 give you three safe ways to do it: Windows Update, Device Manager, and the driver from your PC or graphics card maker. Start by finding out which graphics hardware you have.

1. Find Out Which Graphics Card You Have

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1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Select the arrow next to Display adapters to expand it.
3. Note the name you see, for example an Intel, NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon model.

Expected result: you know the make and model of the graphics hardware you're updating.

2. Update Through Windows Update

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Microsoft says the best way to get driver updates is automatically, through Windows Update. It installs recommended drivers on its own, but optional driver updates wait until you choose them.

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, and install what's available.
2. Select Advanced options and make sure Receive updates for other Microsoft products is on.
3. Under Additional options, select Optional updates.
4. If a graphics driver is listed, select it, then select Download and install.
5. Restart your PC, even if Windows doesn't ask you to.

On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, then View optional updates if it appears.

Expected result: Windows Update shows no more updates waiting, and any graphics driver it offered is installed.

3. Update the Driver in Device Manager

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1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for drivers (on Windows 10: Search automatically for updated driver software). Windows installs any driver it finds.
4. If it doesn't find one, you can select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update, or go on to step 4.
5. Select Close, and restart if Windows asks you to.

Expected result: Windows installs a newer driver, or tells you the best driver for your device is already installed.

4. Download the Driver From the Maker

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If Windows can't find a newer driver, Microsoft suggests checking the hardware manufacturer's website for the latest driver that works with your version of Windows. Download drivers only from the maker's official site.

• Laptops and ready-made PCs: start with your PC maker's support page for your model. Intel recommends using drivers from your computer manufacturer when they're available, because PC makers may customize drivers and check them for that particular system.
• NVIDIA: on NVIDIA's driver page, use Manual Driver Search. Choose your product category, series, product and operating system, then select Find Drivers.
• AMD: AMD's drivers page offers an auto-detect and install tool for Windows 11 and Windows 10 64-bit, or you can search for your product.
• Intel: if your PC maker doesn't offer a newer driver, download it from Intel's official website.

If the download is an installer, run it and follow the steps. If you have a driver folder instead, open Device Manager, right-click your graphics card and select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Browse, pick the folder and select Next.

Expected result: the installer finishes, and your graphics card's Driver tab in Device Manager shows the new version.

5. Roll Back a Driver That Causes Problems

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If your screen starts acting up after a driver update, go back to the driver you had before. You need to be signed in with an administrator account.

1. In Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card and select Properties.
2. Select the Driver tab, then Roll Back Driver > Yes.
3. Restart your PC.

Expected result: the earlier driver is back and the problem is gone.

6. Reinstall the Graphics Driver

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If rolling back isn't possible or doesn't help, reinstall the driver.

1. Save your work and close your apps.
2. In Device Manager, right-click your graphics card and select Uninstall device.
3. Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device (on Windows 10: Delete the driver software for this device) and confirm.
4. Restart your PC. Windows tries to reinstall a driver when it starts. If it doesn't, install the maker's driver as in step 4.

Expected result: your graphics card is listed under Display adapters again, with no warning.

Still Having Display Problems? What to Try Next

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• Reset the graphics driver: press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B. Microsoft suggests this as a quick fix for some screen problems.
• Check whether it's the driver or an app: open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If Task Manager flickers along with everything else, a display driver is probably causing the problem.
• Contact the maker: if nothing helps, your PC or graphics card maker can help with a driver for your exact model.