How to Update Graphics Drivers on a Gaming PC

Why keep graphics drivers current

Graphics drivers are the software that lets Windows and your games talk to the graphics card. A current driver includes optimizations for newly released games and fixes for bugs that can cause crashes or visual glitches. Keeping the driver up to date is one of the simplest ways to make sure your gaming PC performs as intended. If you are choosing a new gaming PC, a current driver is part of the setup.

Both major graphics card makers provide a free application that handles driver updates. For GeForce GPUs, the Nvidia app offers Game Ready Drivers and Studio Drivers. For Radeon GPUs, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition provides a similar update tool. Using these official tools is safer than downloading drivers from third-party sites, because the tool verifies that the driver matches your exact graphics card model and Windows version.

A current driver also matters for features that depend on the graphics card. For example, the Nvidia app enables features like DLSS and ray tracing on supported GeForce RTX cards. On AMD cards, the Adrenalin software controls features like FidelityFX Super Resolution. Without an up-to-date driver, these features may not work correctly or may not be available at all. To learn more about choosing between the two brands, see how to choose between Nvidia and AMD.

Check the current driver version

Before updating, it helps to know which driver version is installed. In Windows, open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Properties. The Driver tab shows the driver version and date. This information is useful if you need to compare with the latest version listed on the maker's website.

The Nvidia app and AMD Software both display the installed driver version on their home screens. If you have one of these tools open, you can see at a glance whether an update is available. The tools also notify you when a new driver is released, so you do not have to check manually.

Windows Update can also install graphics drivers, but the version it provides may not be the newest. For gaming, the driver from the graphics card maker is usually more current and includes game-specific optimizations. You can still use Windows Update for other system drivers, but for the graphics card, use the maker's tool. If you are setting up a new prebuilt gaming PC, check the driver version first.

Update Nvidia drivers with the Nvidia app

For GeForce graphics cards, the Nvidia app is the official tool for driver updates. It is available for GeForce RTX 50, 40, 30, 20, and GTX 16 series cards, as well as older models. The app checks for updates automatically and lets you download and install the latest Game Ready Driver with a few clicks.

To update, open the Nvidia app and go to the Drivers tab. The app shows the current driver version and whether a newer one is available. Click Download to fetch the driver, then click Install. During installation, you can choose a custom install and select the option for a clean installation. This removes the previous driver before installing the new one, which can help avoid conflicts.

Game Ready Drivers are optimized for new game releases and are the recommended choice for most players. Studio Drivers are aimed at creators and may be more stable for video editing and 3D rendering. If you use your gaming PC for both play and creation, Game Ready Drivers are still a good choice, as they include the same core driver functionality. For a card that supports these features, see the best graphics cards for PC gaming.

Update AMD drivers with AMD Software

For Radeon graphics cards, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is the official tool. It manages driver updates and also provides access to features like Radeon Anti-Lag and FidelityFX Super Resolution. The software is available for Radeon RX series cards and other supported AMD GPUs.

To update, open AMD Software and go to the Home tab. The software checks for updates and shows the latest driver version. Click Check for Updates, then Download and Install. You can also choose a factory reset option during installation, which clears the previous driver settings and installs a fresh copy. This is useful if you are moving from a different graphics card or if you have had driver-related problems.

AMD Software also lets you set up automatic updates, so the tool downloads new drivers in the background. You can choose to be notified before installation, which gives you control over when the update happens. This is convenient if you want to avoid an update interrupting a gaming session. If you are comparing AMD and Nvidia cards, the Nvidia vs AMD GPU comparison can help.

Do a clean install of graphics drivers

A clean install removes the existing driver completely before installing the new one. This can fix issues that come from leftover files or conflicting settings from a previous driver. Both the Nvidia app and AMD Software offer a clean install option during the installation process.

For Nvidia, choose Custom installation and check the box for Perform a clean installation. For AMD, select Factory Reset during the update. A clean install takes a little longer because it uninstalls the old driver first, but it gives you the best chance of a stable driver.

If you are not having any problems, a standard update is usually fine. A clean install is worth doing if you notice crashes, visual artifacts, or poor performance after an update, or if you are switching from one graphics card brand to another. For a card that is easy to update, consider the best 1440p gaming PCs which often come with current drivers.

Roll back a driver if something goes wrong

If a new driver causes problems, you can roll back to the previous version. In Windows, open Device Manager, right-click your graphics card, and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver. This option is available if the previous driver is still stored on the system.

If Roll Back Driver is grayed out, you can download an older driver from the graphics card maker's website. Both Nvidia and AMD keep a list of previous drivers. Install the older driver using the same tool, and choose a clean install to remove the problematic version.

Rolling back is a temporary fix. The maker will usually release a corrected driver in a future update. Until then, you can keep using the older driver, which is still better than a driver that causes crashes or instability. If you are building a new system, a prebuilt gaming PC often comes with a stable driver version.

What to pick for your play

Questions

How often should I update graphics drivers?

Update when a new Game Ready Driver is released, especially if you play new games. The Nvidia app and AMD Software will notify you when an update is available. You do not need to update every week, but keeping within a few versions of the latest is a good habit.

Is it safe to update graphics drivers?

Yes, when you use the official tools from Nvidia or AMD. These tools download drivers that are matched to your graphics card and Windows version. Third-party driver download sites are riskier and should be avoided.

What is a clean install of a graphics driver?

A clean install removes the existing driver completely before installing the new one. It can fix issues caused by leftover files or conflicting settings. Both the Nvidia app and AMD Software offer a clean install option during the update process.

Can I roll back a graphics driver if the new one causes problems?

Yes. In Windows Device Manager, right-click your graphics card, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. If that option is not available, download an older driver from the maker's website and install it with a clean install.

Do I need to update drivers for integrated graphics?

If your gaming PC uses a discrete graphics card, you only need to update the driver for that card. Integrated graphics on the CPU are handled by the CPU maker's driver, which Windows Update usually manages. For gaming, the discrete card's driver is the important one.