In this article, we will show you how to update video drivers on Windows to improve performance, fix graphical issues, and ensure smooth visuals.
Keeping your video drivers up to date on your Windows PC is essential for maintaining optimal performance and preventing graphics-related issues.
Video drivers are software that allow your operating system to communicate effectively with your computer’s graphics card, ensuring smooth rendering of images, videos, and games.
If you’re experiencing lag, graphical glitches, or poor-quality visuals, updating your video drivers could be the solution.
Here’s how to easily update video drivers on Windows to get your system running smoothly. However, if you are not a tech person like me and you need immediate help, you can hire trusted freelancers from Fiverr to help you update your video drivers and fix other system issues.
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Why Should You Update Your Video Drivers?
Before diving into the process, let’s take a quick look at why updating your video drivers is important. Video drivers control the graphics performance of your computer. Manufacturers release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, or ensure compatibility with the latest software or games. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause various issues, such as:
- Slow or poor-quality graphics
- Flickering or screen tearing
- Crashes or system freezes
- Incompatibility with new games or applications
Updating your drivers ensures you’re using the latest features and performance improvements for a better experience on your PC.
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How to Update Video Drivers on Windows 10 and Windows 11
There are several methods to update your video drivers on Windows. Below are the most common and easiest ways to get the latest driver updates for your system.
1. Use Windows Device Manager
Device Manager is a built-in tool in Windows that allows you to manage and update all of your device drivers, including video drivers.
Here’s how to update your video drivers using Device Manager:
-
Open Device Manager:
- Press
Windows + X
and select Device Manager from the menu.
- Press
-
Find Your Graphics Card:
- In Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section. You’ll see your graphics card listed here (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
-
Update Driver:
- Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for the latest drivers online and install them if available.
-
Restart Your PC:
- After the update is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
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2. Download Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website
Sometimes Windows doesn’t offer the most recent driver updates. In that case, visiting the official website of your video card’s manufacturer is the best option. This method allows you to manually download and install the latest drivers.
Follow these steps:
-
Identify Your Graphics Card:
- You can identify your graphics card by checking the Device Manager as mentioned earlier.
-
Visit the Manufacturer’s Website:
- NVIDIA: Go to the NVIDIA Driver Download Page.
- AMD: Visit the AMD Drivers and Support Page.
- Intel: Go to the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
-
Download the Latest Driver:
- Use the search tools on the manufacturer’s website to find your exact model and operating system version. Download the driver package.
-
Install the Driver:
- Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.
-
Restart Your PC:
- Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.
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3. Use Driver Update Software
If you prefer an automated solution, you can use third-party driver update tools to scan your system and update all drivers, including video drivers.
Popular tools include:
- Driver Booster
- Driver Easy
- SlimDrivers
These tools simplify the process by detecting outdated drivers and allowing you to update them with a single click. However, be sure to download them from trusted sources to avoid malware or unwanted software.
4. Use Windows Update
In some cases, Windows will automatically detect and install video driver updates via Windows Update. While this isn’t as comprehensive as the other methods, it’s a quick and easy way to get driver updates if available.
To check for updates:
-
Open Windows Settings:
- Press
Windows + I
to open the Settings menu.
- Press
-
Check for Updates:
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Update, and click Check for updates.
-
Install Available Updates:
- If there are any driver updates, they will be included in the list of available updates. Select Install to begin the process.
-
Restart Your PC:
- After installation, restart your computer to finalize the update.
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Troubleshooting Driver Update Issues
Sometimes, updating video drivers can lead to issues such as black screens or crashes. If this happens, try the following solutions:
- Rollback Driver: If you notice problems after updating, you can roll back to the previous driver version. In Device Manager, right-click your graphics card, choose Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
- Reinstall the Driver: If rolling back doesn’t help, uninstall the driver in Device Manager and then reinstall the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.
- System Restore: As a last resort, you can use System Restore to revert your PC to a previous state where the video drivers were working properly.
Conclusion
Updating your video drivers on Windows is a simple yet important task that can significantly improve your computer’s performance. Whether you use Device Manager, the manufacturer’s website, or an automated tool, keeping your drivers up to date ensures your system stays in top shape. If you encounter any issues, there are plenty of troubleshooting options to get you back on track.
By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your video drivers are always up to date, helping you enjoy a seamless and enhanced computing experience. However, if you are not a tech person like me and you need immediate help, you can hire trusted freelancers from Fiverr to help you update your video drivers and fix other system issues.
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