How To Update My Graphics Driver

How to update drivers

Drivers sometimes experience like a headache. It's not always clear how to update drivers, especially because of malicious sites that lure unsuspecting users into downloading malware and viruses that are harmful to your computer. There's a correct way to ago about driver updates to ensure this doesn't happen to you lot.

In this guide, we'll walk you lot through how to update the nearly common types of drivers, and some general tips for dealing with whatever bug may arise. This guide is geared towards gaming PCs, but nearly of it applies to any Windows computer.

How to update Nvidia drivers

If your PC has an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, y'all definitely want to proceed the drivers updated. New releases ofttimes include performance enhancements for new games, or fixes for issues acquired by Windows updates.

In that location used to be a tool called Nvidia Update located in the Nvidia control panel, just with the advent of GeForce Experience, that option has been removed. The Nvidia control panel is however installed automatically when you set upward Nvidia's drivers, but you'll need to update the drivers through GeForce Experience or manually download the driver from Nvidia'due south website.

Nvidia GeForce Experience — (Prototype credit: Nvidia)

To update from the GeForce Experience launcher, log in (create an account if you don't take one already), click on the 'Drivers' tab at the meridian left, then 'Check for Updates' on the correct. The do good of having GeForce Experience installed on your PC is that it will automatically bank check for updates and alarm yous if at that place is a new driver available.

But if you don't like the thought of logging into GeForce Experience every time you lot need to install a driver update, yous can go to Nvidia'south driver page to manually download the latest available driver version.

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

Finally, if you are switching GPU brands, or if you run into other issues and only want to make clean out your system, our GPU guru Jarred recommends using Display Driver Uninstaller to completely wipe any AMD, Intel, and/or Nvidia GPU driver remnants from your arrangement. Sometimes it's the merely way to be certain. (Be careful to click on the "Official Download Hither" link and non the "Update Display Commuter" push, equally the latter isn't what nosotros're talking about.)

How to update AMD drivers

In much the same style as Nvidia'due south drivers, AMD graphics drivers are supposed to automatically check for updates in the background and give you lot an alert when annihilation is available. Here's how to check for an update (and install it) 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.

If an update is available, you'll run across all the available versions. AMD sometimes releases optional updates for those who desire the latest and greatest, simply well-nigh people should stick to the 'Recommended' drivers. Click 'Recommended,' and so select 'Express upgrade.'

If you lot tin can't get the Radeon Settings to announced at all, something may be corrupted with your drivers. To fix that, just head to AMD's support website and download the appropriate drivers for your graphics card. A fresh install should sort out any issues you may exist experiencing.

Again, make clean install may be a meliorate option if you experience any weirdness or reduced performance (it's happened to us, multiple times). And DDU is e'er there if you need to pull out the sledgehammer.

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

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

However, if you lot buy an accessory designed to be customizable, like mice or keyboards with actress buttons, and so you lot might need the proper desktop software for the accessory. There should exist some indication on the accompaniment'south box or product folio about what awarding is needed for full functionality, just here are some examples:

Logitech Gaming Software: For customizing controls, lights, and more for well-nigh Logitech 'G' gaming products.
Logitech Options: Configuration tool for nigh of Logitech'due south not-gaming mice, keyboards, and other accessories.
Corsair iCue: Alter lighting effects, keyboard macros, and more than for near Corsair products.
Razer Synapse: A unified configuration tool for Razer accessories, laptops, keyboards, and more.

As a general alarm, ever download the required software from the manufacturer's website, not from a rehosting site. Many rehosting sites similar to package malware or other software when you lot install the drivers.

How to update everything else

The built-in Windows Update service on your PC generally keeps most of your drivers upward to appointment in the groundwork. Unless you lot use a niche device that doesn't offer updates through Windows Update, yous usually don't have to worry nigh keeping drivers up to date.

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