Buzz
Are you wondering how to refresh your graphics drivers? If your screen is freezing, crashing, flickering, displaying error messages, or showing poor graphics quality, refreshing your graphics drivers could help resolve these issues. If you've recently modified your graphics driver settings and encountered problems afterward, reverting to the default settings might be beneficial. This guide walks you through the steps to refresh your graphics card drivers.
Procedures
Utilizing the Keyboard Shortcut
Hit ⊞ Win+Ctrl+⇧ Shift+B. This method is the simplest way to refresh your graphics drivers. Just press the Windows Key, along with Shift, Ctrl, and B simultaneously. You'll hear a beep and notice a quick screen flash, indicating that your graphics drivers have been refreshed.
Utilizing Custom Resolution Utility
Get Custom Resolution Utility. Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) is a no-cost application enabling you to establish a custom resolution for your monitor. It also incorporates a feature allowing you to reset your graphics driver. Follow these steps to acquire the CRU zip file:
- Visit https://www.monitortests.com/forum/Thread-Custom-Resolution-Utility-CRU using a web browser.
- Select cru-1.5.1.zip located near the top of the page adjacent to 'Download.'
Unzip the CRU file. Double-click the downloaded CRU zip file either within your web browser or from your Downloads directory. Extract the zip file's contents to a memorable location.
Execute the 'Restart64.exe' file. This file is among those extracted from the CRU zip file. Your screen will flicker a few times before the display returns. Subsequently, you'll receive a notification indicating that your graphics drivers have been reset.
- If you encounter a notification stating that Windows Defender blocked an unrecognized application due to potential risk, simply select More Info, followed by Run Anyway.
Press Exit. Upon running the application, a notification should appear confirming that your graphics drivers have been restarted. Click Exit to shut down the application.
- Alternatively, you can select Restart again to reset your graphics drivers for a second time.
Utilizing Powershell
Launch Powershell as an administrator. Powershell serves as a command-line interface where you can input text commands. Follow these steps to initiate Powershell.
- Press Windows Key + X.
- Choose Windows Powershell (Admin).
Input the command to display your graphics driver information. Enter the command below and hit Enter to view your graphics driver information:
- pnputil /enum-devices /class Display
Retrieve the Instance ID. Look for a lengthy combination of numbers and letters following 'Instance ID.' Select the entire string and press Ctrl + C to copy it.
Execute the command to restart your graphics driver. Your screen will briefly go black before returning to normal. This signifies that your graphics drivers have been reset. Follow these steps to reset your graphics driver.
- Type pnputil /restart-device
- Paste the Instance ID in quotes.
- For instance, pnputil /restart-device 'PCIVEN_8086&DEV_3EA0&SUBSYS_14311043&REV_00&11583659&1&10'
- Press Enter.
Utilizing Task Manager
Press ⇧ Shift+Ctrl+Esc. This keyboard shortcut opens Task Manager.
Select the Processes tab. It's the first tab at the top of Task Manager.
Scroll down to 'Background Processes.' It's the second section beneath 'Apps.'
Search for any AMD or Nvidia processes. If you're using an AMD graphics card, you'll find processes related to AMD. If you're using an Nvidia graphics card, you'll find processes related to Nvidia. Processes are arranged alphabetically.
Choose a process and select End Task. When you encounter an AMD or Nvidia process, click on it to highlight. Then, in the lower-right corner, click End Task. Repeat for all AMD or Nvidia tasks. This action will reset your graphics driver. Expect your screen to flash or flicker during driver reset.
Disabling and Enabling Your Graphics Drivers
Access the Device Manager. Follow these steps to access the Device Manager:
- Press Windows Key + X.
- Select Device Manager.
Expand the 'Display Adapters' section. Click on the bracket adjacent to 'Display Adapters' to reveal all of your Graphics Drivers.
Right-click on a graphics driver and choose Disable Driver. This action deactivates your graphics driver. Expect screen flickering or system restarts.
- If multiple graphics drivers exist, the remaining one will substitute for the disabled one.
Reboot your PC. After applying the default settings, reboot your PC for them to take effect. To do this, click the Windows Start menu, then select the Power icon, and click Restart.
Access the Device Manager once more. After your PC restarts, open the Device Manager again.
Expand the 'Display Adapters' section. Click the bracket next to 'Display Adapters' to reveal all your Graphics Drivers.
Right-click on your graphics driver and select Enable Device. This action will restart your graphics driver and trigger a reset.
- If you have multiple graphics drivers, you may need to repeat these steps for each one.
Uninstalling and Reinstalling Your Drivers
Access the Device Manager. If you're still facing issues with your graphics drivers, you might consider uninstalling and reinstalling them. Alternatively, you could try updating Windows, which will automatically update all your drivers, including graphics drivers. You can uninstall drivers using the Device Manager. Follow these steps to open it:
- Press Windows Key + X.
- Choose Device Manager.
Expand the 'Display Adapters' section. Click the bracket next to 'Display Adapters' to view all your Graphics Drivers.
Right-click on your graphics driver(s). Your graphics drivers will be listed under 'Display Adapters.' Right-click on your graphics driver to open a pop-out menu.
Click Uninstall device. This will prompt a pop-up dialogue box.
Select 'Delete the driver software for this device' and click Uninstall. Check the checkbox in the pop-up dialogue box. This will remove the driver software from the driver store. Then click Uninstall in the lower-right corner. Your computer screen may flicker or restart automatically.
- If you have multiple graphics drivers, the remaining one will take over for the uninstalled driver.
Reboot your computer. Upon restarting, Windows will automatically reinstall your graphics drivers. However, it may not install the most recent versions.
- Alternatively, you can obtain the latest graphics drivers from your PC manufacturer or graphics card manufacturer's website. You'll need to know your Windows version, as well as your PC's make, model, and possibly serial number, or your graphics card's make and model.
- You can also utilize third-party applications such as Driver Easy or Advanced Driver Updater to scan and install drivers for you.
Restoring Intel Graphics Drivers to Default Settings
Access the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel. Right-click your desktop and choose 'Graphics Properties.' Alternatively, click the Windows Start menu, type 'Intel,' and select the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel.
Click 3D. This option is the second one with an icon resembling a 3D cube.
Click Restore Defaults. Located at the bottom left of the app, this option features an icon resembling a curved arrow pointing left.
Click Apply. This option can be found in the pop-up window. Selecting it will restore your Intel graphics drivers to their default settings.
Restart your PC. After applying the default settings, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. To do this, click the Windows Start menu, then select the Power icon, and finally click Restart.
Restoring Nvidia Graphics Drivers to Default Settings
Access the Nvidia Control Panel. Right-click on your desktop and choose Nvidia Control Panel. Alternatively, use the Windows Start menu to search for 'Nvidia,' then select the Nvidia Control Panel app.
Click Manage 3D Settings. This option is located second from the top under '3D Settings' in the left panel.
Click Restore. Located in the lower-right corner below the Settings window, this option restores your Nvidia graphics drivers to their default settings.
Restart your PC. After applying the default settings, restart your PC for them to take effect. To do this, click the Windows Start menu, then select the Power icon, and finally click Restart.
Restoring AMD Graphics Drivers to Default Settings
Access the AMD Radeon Settings app. Right-click on your desktop and choose AMD Radeon Settings. Alternatively, use the Windows Start menu to search for 'AMD,' then select the AMD Radeon Settings app.
Click the Preferences tab. This tab is the second option at the bottom of the screen.
Click Restore Factory Defaults. This action restores your graphics drivers to their default settings.
Restart your PC. After applying the default settings, restart your PC for the changes to take effect. To do this, access the Windows Start menu, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
Using a Mac
Restart your Mac. Graphics drivers are not a part of the macOS system. If you encounter issues with your graphics drivers, restart your system. Follow these steps:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
- Select Restart.
- Confirm by clicking Restart in the pop-up.
Reset the PRAM or NVRAM. The PRAM or NVRAM is a small amount of memory used by your Mac to store system settings, including graphics driver information. Resetting the PRAM or NVRAM may resolve issues you're experiencing. Follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Power on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command + Control + P + R.
- Release the keys after hearing the startup sound play twice, or after seeing the Apple logo appear and disappear twice.
Using Linux
Ctrl+Alt+T
Create a backup copy of your configuration. You can use this backup to restore your configuration if anything goes wrong. Execute the following command and press Enter:
- sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bk
Update your software repository. Use the command below to update your software repository on Debian-based Linux distributions:
- sudo apt-get update
List your graphics packages. Use the following command to list all the packages associated with your graphics driver. Replace '[graphics card]' with 'intel,' 'amd,' or 'nvidia,' depending on your graphics card:
- apt-cache pkgnames [graphics card]
Reinstall your graphics packages. Use this command to reinstall your graphics packages once you've identified them. Replace '[graphics package]' with the package name:
- sudo apt install [graphics package]
Helpful Tips
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Reserve resetting your graphics drivers for emergencies only.
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If issues persist post uninstalling and reinstalling graphics drivers, your graphics card may require repair or replacement.
