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To update a graphics driver, identify your GPU, download a compatible package from your computer maker or the GPU vendor, install it, and confirm the installed version. An update can help when a crash is caused by a driver bug or damaged installation, but it will not fix every game crash. Check the game’s support information and driver release notes, and investigate software or hardware causes if the problem persists.
Before changing the driver, identify the problem
Record the graphics device, Windows version, game, any error message or code, and when the crashes began. Note whether the problem appeared after a game update, a graphics-driver update, or another system change. This timeline helps distinguish a likely driver regression from a game-specific or broader PC issue.
In Windows, open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and note the listed GPU. If the computer has more than one graphics device, record each one. Check the game’s official support page and the computer maker’s support information for reports matching your game, system, and symptoms. Intel advises checking reports from the game developer, system OEM, or Intel before troubleshooting further: Intel game troubleshooting guidance.
Choose a compatible official driver source
For a laptop or prebuilt PC, start with the computer manufacturer’s support page and search by the exact model or serial number. OEM systems can have customized configurations, so the maker’s recommended driver is often the safest starting point. If the maker does not provide a suitable current package, check the GPU vendor’s page for compatibility with the exact GPU and Windows version.
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- Intel: Use the Intel Download Center or Intel Driver & Support Assistant when appropriate. Check whether the computer maker recommends a particular driver for the system.
- NVIDIA: Use NVIDIA’s official driver selection page to locate a package for the GPU and operating system.
- AMD: Use the AMD Drivers and Support page to let the tool detect the hardware or select the Radeon product manually.
Do not choose a package based only on the vendor name. Confirm the GPU model and supported Windows version on the download page, and review the release notes for relevant known issues. There is no single driver version that is right for every graphics card or PC.
Install the driver and verify it
- Download the compatible package from the OEM or GPU vendor and close any applications the installer asks you to close.
- Run the installer and follow its prompts. Restart Windows if requested; save open work before doing so.
- To check the installed version, open Device Manager → Display adapters → your graphics device → Properties → Driver. Compare the displayed driver version with the package you installed. Intel documents this verification approach in its driver installation and verification guidance.
If the installer reports an error or the version does not change, do not repeatedly install unrelated packages. Check that you selected the correct GPU and Windows edition, then use the vendor’s recovery guidance for the specific failure.
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Use a clean install only when it fits the problem
A clean installation removes or replaces existing driver components and can help when an installation is corrupted. It is a troubleshooting step, not a routine requirement for every update. The available options differ by vendor.
NVIDIA: clean installation through Custom setup
For a failed NVIDIA App installation, NVIDIA’s manual recovery procedure is to close open applications—including monitoring or tuning utilities and 3D-accelerated programs—run the downloaded installer as administrator, choose Custom (Advanced), and select Perform a clean installation. Follow NVIDIA’s manual clean-install instructions. These menu names apply to NVIDIA’s installer, not Intel or AMD packages.
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When AMD’s installer detects existing components, its Clean Install option attempts to remove detected Radeon Software and AMD driver versions before installing the selected components. AMD says this can address some corrupted-install problems and requires a reboot. It also removes the normal Device Manager option to roll back to the previous driver, so save your work and consider that trade-off before choosing it. See AMD’s installation guidance.
Vendor cleanup utilities for persistent installation problems
If a normal installation remains corrupted or repeatedly fails, use the relevant vendor’s cleanup instructions rather than applying a cleanup procedure indiscriminately. AMD’s Cleanup Utility guidance recommends Safe Mode, says not to run the utility while Windows Update is active, and requires a reboot for cleanup changes to take effect.
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Intel’s Arc crash-recovery guidance recommends Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode followed by a suitable Intel driver for a specific case: Intel Arc systems with random crashes, freezes, hangs, black screens, spontaneous restarts, or TDRs after a driver update. Treat that as targeted Arc advice, not the first step for every PC or GPU.
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Check the game and driver timeline
Install available game updates and consult the developer’s support page for the exact error or symptom. Then review the installed driver’s release notes for known issues. If the crashes began with a new driver and the vendor documents a relevant issue with no workaround, trying an earlier compatible driver may be reasonable. AMD specifically advises considering an earlier graphics driver when a known issue has no available fix: AMD graphics stability guidance. Use a release supported for your GPU and Windows version.
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Look beyond the graphics driver
A crash by itself does not prove that the GPU driver is responsible. Test one change at a time so you can tell what affects the problem. Depending on the symptoms, check for:
- Background applications, overlays, monitoring tools, or tuning utilities that may conflict with the game.
- Relevant chipset-driver updates and system configuration issues.
- Unstable overclocks or other departures from stock settings.
- GPU seating, memory stability, overheating, or inadequate or unstable power.
NVIDIA’s driver troubleshooting discussions cover background programs, chipset drivers, and overheating among possible considerations; AMD’s stability guidance includes system configuration and hardware checks. For hardware-specific steps, use the support information for your system and GPU. If crash logs or error codes point to the game, another component, or the PC itself, contact the game developer or system/GPU manufacturer with those details instead of assuming another driver reinstall will solve it.
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