How to Update GPU Drivers: Three Methods From Simple to Deep Clean

The quickest way to update GPU drivers is to use the vendor’s own software (the NVIDIA app, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, or Intel’s graphics software) and choose the recommended driver. If that fails or your system misbehaves afterward, step up to a manual download with the clean installation option, and use DDU only when you need to remove a corrupted driver completely. This guide compares the three routes, lists what to check first, and gives fixes for the problems that appear most often.

Update methods compared

Start at the top of the table and only move down if the simpler method fails. Most people never need the third option. Jumping straight to DDU every time adds work and makes it easy to lose useful settings.

Checks before you install

A few minutes of preparation prevents most update problems.

• Identify your GPU. Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and note the exact name. Do not guess from the box or the sticker on the case.
• Note the current driver version. Right-click the adapter, choose Properties, then Driver. You will want this number if you need to go back.
• Check your Windows version against the driver’s supported systems list, which is on the download page.
• Create a restore point so you can undo a bad install quickly.
• Save your work and close other programs, including overlays, capture software and any tuning utilities.
• Keep stable power. Laptops should be plugged in. A power cut mid-install is rare but annoying.
• Laptop owners: check whether the laptop maker provides a tuned driver. Some hybrid-graphics laptops work better with the maker’s package.

Note your settings, too. Per-game profiles, color settings, fan curves and any undervolt can reset during a clean install. A screenshot of each saves you from rebuilding them from memory.

Method 1: clean installation through vendor software

This is the right choice for most people. The vendor application detects your card, offers the recommended driver, and handles the install.

1. Open the vendor app. On NVIDIA this is the NVIDIA app or GeForce Experience; on AMD it is Adrenalin; on Intel it is the Intel graphics software.
2. Look in the Drivers section and select the version labeled recommended, stable or WHQL where offered. Newer game-focused releases are fine if you need a specific fix, but stable ones are the safer default.
3. If a custom install option appears, choose it, and tick the box labeled perform a clean installation (NVIDIA) or the factory reset option (AMD). This removes old profiles and settings before laying down the new driver.
4. Start the install and wait. The screen may blank for a few seconds more than once, which is normal.
5. Restart when prompted, even if the installer says it is not required.

The clean installation checkbox is not the same thing as a full removal tool. It clears the vendor’s own settings and old files, but it does not purge every trace the way DDU does. For ordinary use, though, that difference rarely matters.

Method 2: standalone installer from the vendor site

Use this when you want a specific version, when the vendor app is not installed, or when the app cannot see a newer driver.

1. Go to the official download page for your brand: NVIDIA, AMD or Intel. Avoid third-party download sites.
2. Select your product series, product and operating system. Choose the driver type: game-focused or studio/stable for NVIDIA, recommended for AMD.
3. Read the release notes for known issues, especially anything involving your games or monitor.
4. Download the installer and run it. If you receive a security prompt, confirm the publisher is the GPU vendor.
5. Choose custom installation and select the clean option if offered. Deselect extras you do not want, such as optional audio drivers or telemetry components, though leaving the defaults is fine.
6. Restart after the install completes.

Pay attention to the file size and the filename. A tiny file that claims to be a graphics driver is suspicious. A legitimate package is typically hundreds of megabytes.

New drivers can also change how your system handles fast storage and game loading. If you are tuning that side of the machine, see the DirectStorage optimization guide for the drives and settings that matter alongside the driver.

Method 3: DDU deep clean for corrupt drivers

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a free utility that removes graphics driver files, registry entries and leftover folders. Use it when you switch from one GPU brand to another, when an installer refuses to finish, or when crashes continue after a normal reinstall. Download it only from its official project page and read its own instructions, since its options change between versions.

1. Download the new driver installer first and keep it on the desktop or a USB drive.
2. Disconnect from the internet by unplugging the cable or disabling Wi-Fi. This stops Windows Update from installing a generic driver mid-process.
3. Restart into Safe Mode. Hold Shift while choosing Restart, then pick Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings and Restart, and select Safe Mode.
4. Run DDU, choose your GPU brand and select Clean and restart.
5. When Windows returns to the normal desktop, run the driver installer you saved earlier.
6. Restart and reconnect to the internet.

DDU resets everything, so expect to re-enter your display scaling, color profile and any custom tuning. If your card runs hot after the reinstall and you suspect settings rather than hardware, our guide to diagnosing GPU thermal throttling can help separate the two causes.

Verification checklist

1. Open Device Manager and confirm the adapter name and the new driver version and date.
2. Run dxdiag and check the Display tab for the correct card and no reported problems.
3. Confirm the monitor shows its native resolution and the right refresh rate in the display settings.
4. Start a game you know well and check for artifacts, stutter, crashes or missing overlays.
5. Re-apply any saved settings: fan curves, tuning, color and profile adjustments.
6. Check that hardware-accelerated features such as video playback and capture still work.

Troubleshooting common update failures

To roll back, open Device Manager, right-click the adapter, choose Properties, then Driver, and select Roll Back Driver if the button is available. If it is greyed out, install the older version from the vendor’s archive page.

When should you stop and look at hardware? If crashes continue on several known-good driver versions, artifacts appear on the desktop, or the card is not detected at all, the issue may be the card, the power cables, the slot or a failing supply. A driver update will not fix those. Reseat the card, check the power connectors, and if the problem persists, contact the vendor’s support. If you are planning to upgrade your card anyway, our comparisons such as RTX 3070 Ti versus Arc B580 may help you weigh your options.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I update my graphics driver?

There is no need to update on every release. Update when a game you play lists a fix or optimization in the release notes, when you install a new GPU, or when you hit a bug that a newer version addresses. If the system is stable and you are not missing anything, waiting a release or two is a reasonable approach.

Do I need DDU every time I update?

No. A normal update, or one with the vendor installer’s clean installation option, handles most cases. DDU is worth using when you switch GPU brands, when a driver is corrupted, or when you have unexplained crashes after several upgrades. It is a troubleshooting tool, not a routine step.

Is it better to get drivers from Windows Update or from the manufacturer?

The manufacturer’s site generally has the newest version, release notes and optional components. Windows Update is convenient and tends to be conservative, so it may lag. For a gaming card, the vendor download is usually the better source, while laptop owners should also check the laptop maker’s site for customized packages.

Can a driver update make my games run worse?

It can, though it is uncommon. A new release may fix one title and introduce a problem in another. If performance drops or crashes begin right after an update, roll back to the previous version using Device Manager or reinstall the older installer, and wait for the next release before trying again.

What should I do if the installer fails or the screen goes black?

Wait a minute, as the display often flickers during installation. If it stays black, restart and boot to safe mode, then remove the driver and install again, or use DDU for a thorough clean. Disable third-party antivirus and overlay tools during the install, and make sure the file came from the vendor’s official site.