How To Update Your Video Card

How to update drivers

Image of a sticky note on a PC asking you to update.

(Image credit: dorisj, Getty)

Keeping your drivers up to appointment may exist a pain, but information technology's something we all accept to exercise. It'due south not e'er clear how to update your drivers, especially for those without a good base of operations in IT cognition, and with all those site out in that location but waiting to deploy malicious software with genuine Nvidia signature codes. Merely there is a right way to agone about updating drivers, to ensure a smooth update process.

This guide will requite y'all the tools you need to confidently update the most mutual types of drivers, and even includes some general tips for dealing with any issues that may arise. This guide is geared towards gaming PCs, merely most of information technology applies to whatever Windows reckoner.

How to update Nvidia drivers

If your PC has an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, you definitely want to proceed the drivers updated. New releases often include performance enhancements for new games, or fixes for bug caused past Windows updates.

There used to be a tool called Nvidia Update located in the Nvidia command panel, only with the advent of GeForce Experience, that option has been removed. The Nvidia control panel is still installed automatically when you prepare Nvidia'southward drivers, but you'll need to update the drivers through GeForce Experience or manually download and install the driver from Nvidia's website.

Screenshot of the Nvidia GeForce experience UI. — (Image credit: Nvidia)

To update from the GeForce Feel launcher, log in (create an business relationship if y'all don't accept one already), click on the Drivers tab at the top left, then Bank check for Updates on the right. The benefit of having GeForce Experience installed on your PC is that information technology will automatically check for updates and alert you if there is a new driver available.

But if you don't similar the thought of logging into GeForce Feel every time you need to install a driver update, you tin can go to Nvidia's commuter folio to manually download the latest available commuter version.

Something else to consider is the pick to practise a make clean install of the drivers, which is an choice on both AMD and Nvidia installers if you choose the custom installation choice.

Finally, if you lot are switching GPU brands, or if you encounter other issues and just want to clean out your system, we recommend using Display Driver Uninstaller to completely wipe any AMD, Intel, and/or Nvidia GPU driver remnants from your organisation. Sometimes it's the only style to be sure.

Exist careful to click on the Official Download Here link when grabbing DDU, and non the Update Display Driver button, as the latter isn't what we're talking most.

How to update AMD drivers

In much the aforementioned way as Nvidia'southward drivers, AMD's driver software is supposed to automatically bank check for updates in the background and give you an warning when annihilation is available. Merely if that's not happening, or you just want to be sure, here's how to bank check for an update (and install information technology) manually:

Right-click on the Windows desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings from the menu.
Click the Updates button at the bottom-left of the window.
Click the Check for updates box.

Screenshot of AMDs driver update page. — (Image credit: AMD)

If an update is available, you'll encounter all the available versions. AMD sometimes releases optional updates for those who want the latest and greatest, but well-nigh people should stick to the recommended drivers. Click Recommended, then select Express upgrade.

If yous can't get the Radeon Settings to appear at all, something may exist corrupted with your drivers. To gear up that, merely head to AMD's support website and download the appropriate drivers for your graphics card. A fresh install should sort out whatever bug you may be experiencing.

Again, clean install may exist a better choice if you experience whatsoever weirdness or reduced functioning (it'due south happened to united states, multiple times). And DDU is always at that place if you demand to pull out the sledgehammer.

How to update drivers for peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc.)

Most keyboards, mice, microphones, controllers, and so on use the same generic USB interface for communication, so they ordinarily don't need whatsoever boosted drivers out of the box (and the generic drivers are handled by Windows Update).

Nonetheless, if you buy an accessory designed to exist customizable, like mice or keyboards with extra buttons, and then you might need the proper desktop software for the accompaniment. At that place should be some indication on the accompaniment'southward box or product page about what awarding is needed for full functionality, but here are some examples:

Logitech Gaming Software: For customizing controls, lights, and more for most Logitech 'One thousand' gaming products.
Logitech Options: Configuration tool for most of Logitech'southward non-gaming mice, keyboards, and other accessories.
Corsair iCue: Change lighting furnishings, keyboard macros, and more for most Corsair products.
Razer Synapse: A unified configuration tool for Razer accessories, laptops, keyboards, and more.

As a general warning, always download the required software from the manufacturer's website, not from a rehosting site. Some rehosting sites like to bundle bloatware, or malware, or other extraneous software when you install the drivers.

How to update everything else

The born Windows Update service on your PC generally keeps virtually of your drivers upwardly to date in the background. Unless you lot use a niche device that doesn't offering updates through Windows Update, you unremarkably don't take to worry nigh keeping drivers upward to date.

To check for any updates for your PC, including driver updates, follow these steps:

Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar
Click the Settings icon (it's a small gear)
Select Updates & Security then click Check for updates.

Spiral sports, Katie would rather scout Intel, AMD and Nvidia go at it. She can often be found admiring AI advancements, sighing over semiconductors, or gawping at the latest GPU upgrades. She's been obsessed with computers and graphics since she was pocket-size, and took Game Art and Design upwardly to Masters level at uni. Her thirst for absurd Raspberry Pi projects volition never exist sated, and she will stop at nothing to spread internet safety awareness—down with the hackers.