How To Reset Graphics Driver In 2024

Introduction:

If your computer’s screen looks weird or blurry, or if your computer is running slow and programs aren’t responding, resetting your graphics driver might help fix the problem. Additionally, conflicts between different drivers or software can cause stability issues, which can be resolved by resetting the graphics driver.

It’s important to note that the exact steps for resetting your graphics driver may vary depending on your specific system configuration and graphics card. However, in this article, we will provide a general guide that should work for most cases. We recommend referring to your graphics card manufacturer’s website or support documentation for detailed instructions specific to your hardware and operating system.

1- Identify Your Graphics Card:

To reset your graphics driver, you’ll need To find out what kind of graphics card you have, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager.”
Click the arrow next to “Display adapters.”
Your graphics card should be listed there. Write down the name of the graphics card.

Alternatively, on a Mac computer, you can identify your graphics card by following these steps:

To start, click on the Apple icon at the top-left corner of your screen.
Press “About This Mac”.
Tap on “System Report”.
On the left-hand pane, click on “Graphics/Displays”.
Look on the right side of the screen for your graphics card. Write down the name of the graphics card.

Once you have identified the graphics card model, you can proceed with the steps to reset your graphics driver.

It’s very important to download the right software for your graphics card and computer system so that the reset will work correctly. Installing the wrong driver can cause further issues or even damage your hardware.

To download the correct driver, visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer and navigate to the driver download page. Be sure to choose the right version of the software for your graphics card and computer system before you download it. If you’re unsure about which driver to download, you can use the automatic driver detection tool provided on the manufacturer’s website.

In addition, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your system or important files before installing a new driver, in case any issues arise during the reset process.

2- Uninstall The Graphics Driver:

Before installing the new graphics driver, you need to first uninstall the current graphics driver. Here are the steps to do so using the Device Manager, Control Panel, or third-party uninstaller tools:

Use Device Manager:

Open Device Manager and find “Display adapters.”
Right-click on your graphics card and choose “Uninstall device.”
Check the box for “Delete the driver software for this device” and click “Uninstall.”
Restart your computer.

Use Control Panel:

Open Control Panel and choose “Programs and Features.”
Find your graphics driver software in the list and click “Uninstall.”
Follow the instructions to finish the uninstallation.
Restart your computer.

Use third-party uninstaller tools:

You can use a third-party tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove the graphics driver software and its files.
Download and install the third-party tool and follow the prompts to use it to uninstall the graphics driver.
Restart your computer. Note: The exact steps might be different depending on your computer’s operating system.

Follow the instructions carefully to uninstall the driver properly.

Step-By-Step instructions to uninstall the graphics driver using the Device Manager in Windows 10:

Press the Windows key and X at the same time on your keyboard. Then pick “Device Manager” from the list.
Click the arrow next to “Display adapters” to expand it.
Press the right button on your mouse when hovering over your graphics card and choose “Uninstall device”.
A new window will appear, select the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” and then click “Uninstall”.
Wait for the uninstallation process to complete. This may take a few moments and your screen may temporarily turn black or display other visual anomalies.
Restart your computer to complete the process.

The process of uninstalling the graphics driver may cause temporary black screens or other display issues. This is normal and should not cause permanent damage to your system. If you encounter any issues, try restarting your computer or using a third-party uninstaller tool.

3- Reboot And Install The New Driver:

Once you have uninstalled the old graphics driver, you’ll need to reboot your system and install the new driver. Here are the steps to do so:

Restart your computer to ensure that the old driver software is completely removed.
Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and navigate to the driver download page.
Find the right driver: • Look for the correct graphics card model and operating system version. • Download the latest driver software.
Install the new driver: • Double-click on the downloaded driver file. • Follow the prompts to install the new driver.
Restart your computer after the installation is complete. Remember to get the correct driver software for your graphics card and operating system to ensure a successful installation.

Be sure to follow the prompts carefully during the installation process, and don’t interrupt the process until it’s complete.

4- Additional Settings Or Optimizations That May Be Necessary:

After installing the new graphics driver, there may be some additional settings or optimizations that need to be made to ensure optimal performance. Here are some common examples:

Enable hardware acceleration:

Some applications or games may require hardware acceleration to be enabled to function properly. Check the settings of the specific program to see if this option is available.

Adjust resolution or color settings:

The new graphics driver may have different default settings for resolution, color depth, and refresh rate. Adjust these settings as necessary to match your display and personal preferences.

Disable other conflicting drivers:

If you have other graphics-related software or drivers installed, such as an integrated graphics driver, they may conflict with the new graphics driver. Disable or uninstall any conflicting software or drivers to avoid issues.

Optimize graphics settings:

Some graphics-intensive games or applications may have specific settings or optimizations for the graphics driver. Check the documentation or settings of the specific program to see if any optimizations are available.

The specific settings and optimizations may vary depending on your system, graphics card, and the specific programs you use. Consult the documentation or support resources for your hardware and software for more information.

5- Troubleshooting Tips Or Resources In Case The Resetting Process Doesn’t Fix The Problem:

If the graphics driver reset process doesn’t provide the right solution, here are some troubleshooting tips or resources you can use:

Check for Windows updates: Sometimes, Windows updates can fix issues related to drivers or software. Make sure your system is up-to-date with the latest updates.
Run a virus scan: Malware or viruses can sometimes cause issues with graphics drivers. Run a virus scan to make sure your system is clean.
Check for conflicting software: Other software, such as antivirus programs or third-party graphics tools, may conflict with the graphics driver. Try disabling or uninstalling any conflicting software to see if the issue is resolved.
Rollback to a previous driver version: If the latest driver version is causing issues, try rolling back to a previous version to see if the issue is resolved.
Contact support: If you’ve exhausted all other options, contact the support resources for your hardware or software. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or can help you resolve the issue.

Remember to provide as much detail as possible when seeking support, such as error messages, symptoms, and any steps you’ve already taken to resolve the problem. This can make it easier and faster for support staff to identify and fix the problem.

Final Thoughts: On How To Reset Your Graphics Driver:

Resetting your graphics driver can help resolve various issues related to display, performance, or driver conflicts. The process involves identifying your graphics card, downloading the latest driver software, uninstalling the current driver, and installing the new driver. After the installation is complete, additional settings or optimizations may need to be made to ensure optimal performance.

It’s important to back up important data and make sure to save important data and settings before starting and downloading the right driver software for your graphics card and operating system. If the reset process doesn’t solve the issue, additional troubleshooting steps or support resources may be necessary. With the right steps and resources, resetting your graphics driver can be an effective way to resolve issues and improve your system’s performance.

It’s important to remember to back up any important data or settings before proceeding with the driver reset, as some settings or configurations may be lost during the process. Make sure you get the right driver for your graphics card and computer system. This will help you avoid any problems. If you have trouble, check the instructions or ask for help from the manufacturer’s support team.