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Windows 11 has various features that make it a great operating system, but sometimes, you may find that your graphics driver isn’t up to par. Whether you’re a gamer or a graphic designer, you require your graphics driver to work perfectly to get the best experience possible. If you’re facing issues with your current graphics driver or want to upgrade to a different one, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to change graphics driver on Windows 11.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Changing Graphics Driver Windows 11
Updating your graphics driver in Windows 11 can be frustrating if you don’t know what to do, especially when the current driver is causing issues like black screens or crashing games. The challenge lies in finding a compatible driver to replace the existing one and ensuring that the selected driver will not cause new problems in the system.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before changing your graphics driver in Windows 11, there are a few things you need to prepare.
- A compatible graphics driver with your hardware. You can get the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
- Reliable internet connection for downloading the new graphics driver.
- A system backup in case something goes wrong during the process. You can use Windows 11’s built-in backup feature or a third-party app like Acronis True Image.
Method 1: Using Device Manager
Method 1 is the most straightforward way to change your graphics driver in Windows 11. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Select Device Manager from the menu.
- Expand the Display Adapters category.
- Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose the option ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ and let it search.
- Windows 11 will automatically download and install the latest compatible driver for your graphics card.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Windows 11 automatically selects the most compatible driver for the device.
Cons:
- May not always install the latest driver for your graphics card.
- May not install third-party drivers recommended by the manufacturer for optimal performance.
Method 2: Using Windows Update
Method 2 is another way to update your graphics driver in Windows 11. Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows key + R.
- Type ‘ms-settings:windowsupdate’ in the Run dialog box.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If there is a new graphics driver available, you should see it listed in the optional updates section of the Windows Update screen.
- Click on the Download and install button next to the driver update to install it.
Pros:
- Easy and convenient as it is integrated with the OS.
Cons:
- May not show the latest drivers available for the graphics card.
- Requires restarting the system to apply the changes.
Method 3: Using Manufacturer’s Website
Using the manufacturer’s website is the most reliable method of updating the graphics driver. Follow these steps:
- Go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer.
- Find the drivers and downloads section.
- Select your device model and appropriate OS version.
- Download the latest graphics driver package for your card.
- Run the installer executable and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Pros:
- Most reliable sources to download the latest drivers.
- Manufacturer drivers contain optimal settings for the device.
Cons:
- Requires more effort as you have to search and download the driver package yourself.
- May encounter compatibility issues if the wrong driver is selected for the device.
Method 4: Using Driver Updater Software
If you don’t have the time or patience to manually search for and install drivers, you can use third-party driver updater software. These programs will automatically scan your system, download and install the latest drivers for you. Here are some popular driver updater software:
- Driver Booster
- Driver Easy
- Snappy Driver Installer
- Advanced Driver Updater
Pros:
- Easy and convenient to use.
- Quickly detects and installs the latest drivers with just a few clicks.
Cons:
- Not all driver updater software are reliable.
- Some may install outdated or incompatible drivers.
Why Can’t I Update or Change My Graphics Driver?
If you’re facing any of the following issues, check out the reasons why and the fixes:
1. Error message: ‘The NVIDIA setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware.’
A: This error message means the driver package you’re trying to install isn’t compatible with your graphics card. Download and install a compatible driver from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Error message: ‘This NVIDIA graphics driver is not compatible with this version of Windows.’
A: The graphics driver you’re trying to install is not compatible with Windows 11. You can check the manufacturer’s website for a compatible driver or roll back to a previous version of Windows.
3. Error message: ‘Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (code 43).’
A: This error occurs when the device driver has an issue that Windows can’t solve. Try updating or reinstalling the driver to fix the issue.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for updating graphics drivers in Windows 11:
- Back up your data before installing any new drivers in case something goes wrong during the process.
- Use only trusted sources such as the manufacturer’s website for downloading drivers.
- Uninstall the old graphics driver before installing the new one.
5 FAQs about Changing Graphics Drivers on Windows 11
Q1: How do I know if my graphics driver needs updating?
A: If your system is running slow or you’re experiencing black screens, game crashes, or other graphical issues, your graphics driver may need updating.
Q2: Can I install a driver intended for another graphics card model?
A: No, installing a driver intended for another graphics card model may result in compatibility issues and system crashes.
Q3: How often should I update my graphics driver?
A: It’s recommended to check for updates periodically and install them as required.
Q4: What if the new driver doesn’t work correctly?
A: Try rolling back to the previous driver or performing a system restore to revert to the system state before installing the new driver.
Q5: Can updating my drivers cause any problems in my system?
A: Updating drivers can sometimes cause compatibility issues in some system configurations. However, the risk of this is low, and you can always revert to the previous driver if necessary.
In Conclusion
Changing your graphics driver in Windows 11 can be necessary to fix various issues and improve performance. In this blog post, we’ve discussed the different methods for updating or changing your graphics driver, along with their pros and cons. Remember to prepare well before updating, choose the right method and driver, and always backup your system. With these tips, you can easily update your graphics driver on Windows 11, giving you the best possible experience the operating system has to offer.