GPU Driver Issues: Fix Black Screens and Artifacts

What causes black screens and artifacts

A black screen that appears during play or right after a crash usually points to the graphics driver losing communication with the GPU. Visual artifacts, such as flickering shapes, colored squares, or distorted textures, can come from the same source. The driver is the software layer that lets Windows and games talk to the graphics card, and when that layer gets corrupted or outdated, the display output can fail. For a deeper look at keeping drivers current, see how to update graphics drivers.

Driver files can become damaged after an interrupted update, a power loss, or a conflict with another piece of software. Sometimes a new driver version introduces a problem on a specific card model. In those cases, the fix is not to adjust settings inside Windows but to remove the driver completely and install a known-good version from the GPU maker. If you are seeing a driver timeout error, check the GPU driver timeout troubleshooting guide.

Before reinstalling, it helps to confirm that the issue is actually the driver. If the black screen appears only when the GPU is under load, or if artifacts show up in the same spot on screen, the driver is a likely cause. If the problem happens even at the Windows login screen, the driver may still be at fault, but the card itself could also be involved. This guide covers the software side only.

Prepare your system before reinstalling

Start by writing down the exact model of your graphics card. For Nvidia cards, the model name is printed on the card itself or listed in the system information. For AMD cards, the same applies. You will need this name to download the correct driver. If you are using an MSI gaming PC, you can also refer to the MSI gaming PC checklist for guidance.

Next, make sure you have a stable internet connection. The driver installer will download a large file, and a dropped connection can corrupt the download. If you are using a laptop, plug it into power. If you are on a desktop, close any programs that might interfere, such as antivirus scans or backup tools.

It is also a good idea to create a system restore point before making changes. Windows creates restore points automatically before some updates, but you can make one manually. This gives you a way to undo the driver change if something goes wrong. The steps are in the Windows settings under System and then Recovery.

Download the correct driver

The driver you need comes from the GPU maker, not from Windows Update. Nvidia and AMD both provide driver download pages on their websites. On those pages, you select your card model and the version of Windows you are running. For Nvidia, the GeForce RTX 50 Series page lists the current drivers and the features they support, such as DLSS and ray tracing. For AMD, the Radeon software page offers the latest drivers for Radeon cards. To understand the differences between the two GPU makers, see how to choose between Nvidia and AMD and the Nvidia vs AMD GPU comparison.

Make sure you choose the driver that matches your Windows version. Windows 11 and Windows 10 have different driver packages. The Nvidia page asks for the Windows version, and the AMD page does the same. If you are unsure which Windows version you have, open the Settings app, go to System, and then About. The version is listed there.

Download the driver file to a folder you can find easily, such as the Downloads folder. Do not run the installer yet. You will remove the old driver first.

Remove the old driver

The cleanest way to remove a graphics driver is to uninstall it from the Device Manager and then delete any leftover files. Start by opening the Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager from the menu. For a full clean removal, the clean install GPU drivers guide walks through the process step by step.

In Device Manager, expand the Display adapters section. You will see your graphics card listed there. Right-click the card name and select Uninstall device. In the dialog that appears, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device. This removes the driver files from the system. Then click Uninstall.

After the uninstall finishes, restart your computer. Windows will use a basic display driver until you install the new one. This basic driver does not support gaming features, but it is enough to show the desktop.

Clean leftover driver files

Uninstalling through Device Manager does not always remove every file. Leftover files can cause conflicts with the new driver. To clean them, you can use a dedicated third-party tool, or you can do it manually. If you are not sure what to do, the troubleshoot a gaming PC that won't boot guide offers general recovery steps.

If you prefer a manual approach, open the File Explorer and go to the Windows folder, then the System32 folder, and then the DriverStore folder. This folder contains driver packages. Look for folders with names that include the GPU maker, such as nv for Nvidia or amd for AMD. Deleting these folders is not recommended unless you are comfortable with system files, because removing the wrong folder can break other drivers.

A safer option is to use a dedicated driver cleaner. These tools scan for leftover driver files and remove them. They are available from third-party sites, but you should download them only from trusted sources. After running the cleaner, restart your computer again.

Install the new driver

Now you can install the driver you downloaded earlier. Double-click the installer file to run it. The installer will guide you through the process. For Nvidia, you can choose between a Game Ready driver and a Studio driver. The Game Ready driver is optimized for the latest games, while the Studio driver is for creative work. For gaming, the Game Ready driver is the usual choice.

During the installation, you may be asked to choose between a custom and an express installation. A custom installation lets you select which components to install, such as the driver, the control panel, and the audio driver. An express installation installs everything. For a clean install, choose custom and then check the box that says Perform a clean installation. This removes any remaining settings from the old driver. After installation, you may want to configure the GPU control panel; see the NVIDIA Control Panel configuration guide or the AMD Radeon Software configuration guide.

After the installation finishes, restart your computer. The new driver should now be active. Open the GPU control panel to confirm that the driver is recognized. For Nvidia, that is the NVIDIA App or the NVIDIA Control Panel. For AMD, it is the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.

Confirm the fix and what to do next

Once the new driver is installed, check whether the black screen or artifacts are gone. Launch a game or a graphics-heavy application and watch for the same symptoms. If the issue does not return, the driver was the cause. If you still see visual glitches, the GPU artifacts and screen tearing guide may help.

If the problem persists, the driver may not be the only factor. The graphics card itself could have a hardware fault, or the power supply might not be delivering enough power. Those are outside the scope of this guide. In that case, consider contacting the card maker or the system builder for support.

To avoid future driver issues, keep the driver up to date. Nvidia and AMD release new drivers regularly, and the GPU maker's software can notify you when an update is available. You can also set the software to download updates automatically. This reduces the chance of running an outdated driver that has known problems.

What to pick for your play

Questions

How do I know if my black screen is caused by the GPU driver?

If the black screen happens during play or right after a crash, and it goes away after a restart, the driver is a likely cause. Visual artifacts that appear in the same spot on screen also point to the driver. If the problem happens even at the Windows login screen, the driver may still be at fault, but the card itself could also be involved. You can also check the GPU driver timeout error guide for related symptoms.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

Yes. Installing a new driver over an old one can leave conflicting files. Uninstalling the old driver first, and then cleaning leftover files, gives the new driver a clean start. This reduces the chance of the same issue returning.

What is the difference between a Game Ready driver and a Studio driver?

Game Ready drivers are optimized for the latest games and include features like DLSS and ray tracing. Studio drivers are for creative work such as video editing and 3D rendering. For gaming, the Game Ready driver is the usual choice.

Can I use Windows Update to install graphics drivers?

Windows Update can install basic drivers, but they may not be the latest or the most stable for gaming. The GPU maker's website provides the most current drivers with full support for gaming features. It is better to download from the maker.

What should I do if the problem continues after reinstalling the driver?

If the black screen or artifacts persist, the driver may not be the only cause. The graphics card could have a hardware fault, or the power supply might not be delivering enough power. In that case, contact the card maker or the system builder for support.