Update Gpu Drivers – A Simple Guide For Everyone!
Updating GPU drivers boosts performance, fixes bugs, and ensures software compatibility. Tools like GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon, and Intel Assistant simplify updates.
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know in simple words.
What Are GPU Drivers?
A GPU driver is a piece of software that allows your operating system to communicate with your GPU hardware. It acts as a translator, helping the computer send instructions to the graphics card so it can process visual data. Without the correct or updated drivers, your GPU might not function correctly, leading to performance issues like low frame rates, graphical glitches, or even crashes.
Why Are GPU Drivers Important?
- Performance Improvements: Updated drivers can optimize how your GPU performs, especially for new applications and games. For instance, a new game may require certain optimizations that only newer drivers can provide.
- Bug Fixes: GPU manufacturers constantly release updates to fix bugs or issues that users might face. These updates can prevent crashes, improve stability, and eliminate performance problems.
- Compatibility with New Software: New programs or games might need specific GPU driver versions to run correctly. Updating ensures that your GPU is compatible with the latest software.
- New Features: Sometimes, driver updates come with new features, such as better graphics rendering or support for newer technologies like ray tracing or DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).
How to Check if Your GPU Drivers Need an Update:
Before diving into how to update your GPU drivers, it’s important to know whether you need an update. Here’s how to check:
Visit the Manufacturer’s Website:
- Go to the website of the GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
- Find the support or driver section, where you can search for drivers by entering your GPU model.
- Check if a newer version is available.
Use Device Manager (Windows):
- Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
- Under Display Adapters, right-click on your GPU and choose Update Driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software. If an update is available, it will be installed.
Also read: What Are Graphics – A Complete Guide!
Check via Software (GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software):
- NVIDIA users can use GeForce Experience to check for driver updates.
- AMD users can use AMD Radeon Software to find updates.
- These programs will automatically notify you of new updates and let you install them with a few clicks.
How to Update GPU Drivers: Step-by-Step Guide:
Using GeForce Experience for NVIDIA GPUs:
GeForce Experience is a free application by NVIDIA that simplifies updating your GPU drivers. Follow these steps:
- Download and Install GeForce Experience: Visit the official NVIDIA website and download GeForce Experience. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Log In or Create an Account: Open GeForce Experience and log in using your NVIDIA account. If you don’t have one, create a new account for free.
- Check for Updates: Once logged in, go to the “Drivers” tab. GeForce Experience will automatically check for available driver updates. If a newer version is available, it will prompt you with an option to download and install it.
- Install the Update: Click on “Download” to get the new driver. You’ll be given an option for either an Express Installation (default) or Custom Installation. Choose Express for a quick setup, or Custom if you want to adjust installation settings.
- Restart Your PC: After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the update.
GeForce Experience is a convenient way to keep your drivers up to date with minimal effort, ensuring your GPU performs optimally.
Using AMD Radeon Software for AMD GPUs:
AMD users can easily update their GPU drivers through the AMD Radeon Software. Here’s how:
- Download and Install Radeon Software: Visit the official AMD website and download AMD Radeon Software. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps to install it on your computer.
- Open Radeon Software: After installation, open the Radeon Software application. You may need to log in to your AMD account, although this step is optional.
- Check for Updates: In the main window, navigate to the “Drivers & Software” section. Click on “Check for Updates,” and the software will search for the latest driver version. If one is available, you’ll see a notification.
- Install the Update: Click on “Download” to start the update. Once the download is finished, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Restart Your PC: After the installation finishes, restart your computer to finalize the update.
Radeon Software ensures a smooth and easy process for updating drivers, keeping your AMD GPU in top shape for gaming and other demanding tasks.
Using Intel Driver & Support Assistant for Intel GPUs:
Intel users can update their integrated GPU drivers using the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. Here’s the process:
- Download and Install Intel Driver & Support Assistant: Go to Intel’s official website and download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. Install the application by following the installation guide.
- Scan for Updates: Open the Intel Driver & Support Assistant, which will automatically scan your system for outdated drivers. It will display any available updates for your Intel GPU.
- Install the Update: If an update is available, the tool will prompt you to download and install it. Follow the on-screen steps to complete the installation process.
- Restart Your PC: After installation, restart your computer to apply the changes and complete the update.
The Intel Driver & Support Assistant ensures that your integrated graphics stay updated with minimal effort, helping to maintain optimal performance.
Common Issues After Updating GPU Drivers:
- Display Issues or Artifacts: After updating your GPU drivers, you may encounter display problems, such as screen flickering or visual artifacts. This could be due to a corrupted installation. In this case, try reinstalling the drivers or rolling back to a previous version.
- Game Crashes or Low Performance: Sometimes, new drivers may not be optimized for certain games or applications. If you experience crashes or performance drops, you can roll back to an older driver version or wait for a patch from the GPU manufacturer.
- Driver Conflicts: If you have multiple GPU cards or conflicting software, you may face issues. Ensure that only the relevant GPU drivers are installed and that no old drivers are left behind.
Also read: Are Teslap Gpu Desigend To Be Open Outside – Temperature, Moisture, And More!
What to Do If Driver Update Fails:
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and driver updates might fail. Here are a few solutions to try if you encounter issues:
- Check for Error Messages: If the update fails, note any error codes or messages. Search the manufacturer’s support site (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) for troubleshooting steps specific to the error encountered.
- Restart Your Computer: Restarting your computer can resolve temporary issues or conflicts during the installation process. After rebooting, try running the driver update again to see if the problem persists.
- Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers: Go to “Device Manager” and uninstall existing GPU drivers. Restart your system, then download the latest driver from the official website and install it manually for a clean update.
- Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU): Use DDU to completely remove any old drivers, including hidden files and registry entries. After running DDU in Safe Mode, reinstall the latest driver for a fresh installation.
- Update Windows and Check Compatibility: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully updated by checking the Windows Update section. Verify that your GPU supports the latest driver version before attempting the update again.
FAQ’s
1. Why should I update my GPU drivers?
Updating GPU drivers boosts performance, resolves bugs, ensures compatibility with new software, and enables new features like ray tracing and enhanced visuals.
2. How do I know if my GPU drivers need updating?
Check for updates via the manufacturer’s website, Device Manager, or use tools like GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software to notify you.
3. What should I do if the driver update fails?
If the update fails, restart your PC, uninstall and reinstall the drivers, or use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for a clean installation.
4. Can I use multiple tools to update my GPU drivers?
Yes, tools like GeForce Experience (NVIDIA), AMD Radeon Software (AMD), or Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel) can help update drivers.
5. Is it necessary to restart my PC after updating drivers?
Yes, restarting your PC ensures the new driver is fully installed and applied correctly, preventing potential issues with the update.
Conclusion
Updating your GPU drivers is essential for optimal performance, bug fixes, and software compatibility. Using tools like GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software, and Intel Driver & Support Assistant makes the update process simple and efficient. By keeping your drivers updated, you can enjoy improved graphics, fewer crashes, and access to the latest features, ensuring your GPU functions at its best.
