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If Windows 11 shows Microsoft Basic Display Adapter under Device Manager’s Display adapters, install the compatible graphics driver for your AMD Radeon hardware—using the computer maker’s driver first on laptops and all-in-one PCs. If only the monitor entry is missing or misidentified, an AMD graphics package may not address it. The right free fix depends on which device Windows lists and on the exact PC, graphics, and monitor models.
First identify what Windows says is missing
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand Display adapters and note the exact name shown, such as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter or an AMD Radeon model. Menu labels can vary slightly by system.
- In Device Manager, also expand Monitors and check whether the issue is with the monitor entry rather than the graphics adapter.
- Record the PC or laptop model, the AMD graphics model if shown, and the monitor model. These details determine which driver is appropriate.
Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is a generic driver built into Windows. Windows uses it when a manufacturer-specific display-adapter driver is unavailable or not installed. Microsoft recommends installing the graphics adapter maker’s driver for the best experience; manufacturer drivers can add performance, smoother video, higher resolutions, multi-monitor support, and other features. See Microsoft’s explanation of Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Choose the driver source that matches your computer
Desktop with a compatible Radeon graphics card
Use AMD’s official Adrenalin Edition installation page to find a compatible driver. AMD offers an Auto-Detect and Install tool, or you can use its product selector if you know the exact Radeon model. Do not choose a package solely because it is the newest one shown: support is product-specific.
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Check the computer manufacturer’s support page for your exact model and install its graphics driver first. AMD says OEM drivers are customized and validated for system-specific features, and recommends trying the OEM package if a driver downloaded from AMD.com causes problems. See AMD’s Adrenalin release notes for this OEM guidance.
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Only the monitor entry is affected
If the graphics adapter already appears as an AMD Radeon device and the problem is limited to the monitor’s identity or available display modes, do not assume that installing Adrenalin will install a model-specific monitor driver. Check the monitor maker’s official support page using the monitor’s exact model. The available instructions here do not establish a universal monitor-driver fix.
Install the compatible AMD driver
- Go to AMD’s Adrenalin installation instructions. Use Auto-Detect and Install or select your Radeon product manually.
- Confirm that the package supports your exact graphics product and Windows version. AMD’s installation article, updated February 9, 2026, says Adrenalin supports compatible Radeon products on Windows 11 version 21H2 and later; that does not mean every Radeon device is supported by every release.
- Download the installer from AMD, then launch it. Review the license terms and choose the default installation or an applicable custom option.
- Complete setup and follow any on-screen prompts. AMD notes that the display may flicker briefly during installation; this is normal.
- When setup finishes, return to Device Manager and check Display adapters for the AMD Radeon device. If you installed an OEM driver, use the computer maker’s support instructions for any model-specific steps.
AMD’s page describes Adrenalin 26.1.1 and an RX 9070 as examples, not as a universal recommendation. Use the detection tool or product selector to identify a package for your hardware rather than treating those examples—or older release notes—as the right driver for every system.
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If the driver does not fix the problem
- The adapter still says Microsoft Basic Display Adapter: Recheck the PC and Radeon model, then verify that the package matches the exact hardware and Windows version. For a laptop or all-in-one, use the PC maker’s package; if an AMD.com driver caused a problem, AMD advises trying the OEM driver.
- The adapter is identified as Radeon but the monitor is not: The graphics driver may already be installed. Check the monitor’s model and the monitor maker’s official support information instead of repeatedly installing unrelated graphics packages.
- You are unsure which package is legitimate: Download only from AMD, Microsoft, or your computer or monitor manufacturer. The cited instructions do not require a third-party driver updater.
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