Rolling back an AMD driver means uninstalling the current version and reinstalling an older one that worked better on your system

AMD drivers update frequently, and sometimes a newer version causes problems — screen flickering, crashes in specific games, or performance drops. Rolling back to a previous driver version is a straightforward process that takes most people 10 to 15 minutes. You have three main routes: uninstall through Windows and let the system find an older driver, use AMD's own uninstaller tool, or manually read and install a specific older version from AMD's website.

The fastest route for most people is the Windows uninstall method, which works if your computer has kept a copy of the previous driver in its system files. If that does not work, or if you need a driver from several versions back, you will need to read it directly from AMD.

Key Takeaways

  • The Windows Device Manager uninstall method is fastest and works if your system has the previous driver cached — restart your computer after uninstalling and Windows will reinstall automatically.
  • AMD's Display Driver Uninstall (DDU) tool completely removes the current driver and all related files, which prevents conflicts when you install an older version.
  • You can read specific older driver versions from AMD's website by searching for your GPU model and selecting the version you want from the available list.
  • Safe Mode uninstall prevents Windows from automatically reinstalling the current driver while you work, which is useful if the driver is causing system instability.

Uninstall Through Windows Device Manager

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager, or by typing "Device Manager" into the Windows search box. Expand the Display adapters section — you will see your AMD graphics card listed there, usually with a name like "AMD Radeon RX 6700" or similar.

Right-click your AMD graphics card and select Uninstall device. A dialog box will appear asking whether to delete the driver software. Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" and click Uninstall. Windows will remove the current driver.

Restart your computer. When it boots, Windows will detect the graphics card and search for a driver. If your system has the previous version cached, it will reinstall that version automatically. If Windows installs the latest version instead, you will need to use one of the other methods below.

Use AMD's Display Driver Uninstall Tool

AMD provides a tool called Display Driver Uninstall (DDU) that completely removes the current driver and all associated files. This is the most thorough method and prevents conflicts when you install an older version. read DDU from the official AMD website — search for "AMD DDU" to find the current version.

Boot your computer into Safe Mode before running DDU. To enter Safe Mode on Windows 10 or 11, restart your computer, and as it boots, press F8 repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Safe Mode and let the system finish booting.

Run the DDU installer and follow the on-screen prompts. The tool will scan your system, identify all AMD driver files, and remove them completely. When it finishes, restart your computer normally. Your graphics card will show as an unknown device in Device Manager until you install a new driver.

read and Install a Specific Older Driver Version

Go to the AMD support website and search for your graphics card model — for example, "Radeon RX 6700 XT" or "Radeon Pro W6800". The search will take you to a page listing available drivers for that GPU.

The page shows driver versions in reverse chronological order, with the newest at the top. Scroll down to find the version you want to install. Each listing shows the release date and a brief description of what changed. Click the read button next to the version you need.

Once the driver file downloads, run the installer. It will guide you through the installation process — you can usually accept the default settings. When installation finishes, restart your computer. Your system will now use the older driver version you selected.

What to Do If You Do Not Know Which Version to Roll Back To

If you do not remember which driver version worked well, start by rolling back one or two versions. Go to AMD's driver page for your card and read the version released one or two months before the current one. Install it and test your system for a few days.

If problems persist, roll back further. If the older version fixes the issue, you have found a working driver. You can then decide whether to stay on that version or wait for AMD to release a newer driver that addresses the problem.

Keep track of which version works by noting the driver number — it usually appears in Windows as something like "31.0.12001" — and the release date. This information helps if you need to reinstall later or if you contact AMD support.

Preventing Automatic Updates After Rolling Back

Windows and AMD may try to update your driver automatically after you roll back. To prevent this, open Device Manager, right-click your AMD graphics card, and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab and click Driver Details to see the current version number.

You can disable automatic driver updates through Windows Update settings. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, click Advanced Options, and toggle off "Receive updates for other Microsoft products." This prevents Windows from automatically updating your graphics driver.

Alternatively, you can let Windows update when it wants and straightforward roll back again if the new version causes problems. This is less work if you are willing to repeat the process occasionally.

When Rolling Back Does Not Solve the Problem

If rolling back to an older driver does not fix the issue, the problem may not be driver-related. Test your graphics card by running a stress test tool like FurMark or 3DMark to see if the card itself is failing. Check your system temperature — overheating can cause the same symptoms as a bad driver.

If you have recently installed new software or hardware, try uninstalling the new software or removing the hardware to see if that resolves the issue. Sometimes conflicts with other programs, not the driver itself, cause crashes or performance problems.

If nothing works, contact AMD support with the driver version number, your GPU model, and a description of the problem. They can advise whether a newer driver version addresses the issue or whether your card may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I roll back to a driver from several years ago?

Yes, but older drivers may not support newer games or software features. AMD keeps drivers available for several years, but very old versions sometimes have compatibility issues with current Windows updates. Start with a driver from the last few months before trying anything older than a year.

Will rolling back erase my game settings or saved files?

No. Rolling back the driver does not affect your game files, settings, or any other data on your computer. It only changes the software that controls your graphics card. Your games and profiles remain untouched.

What if Device Manager does not show my AMD graphics card?

Your card may be disabled or not recognized by Windows. Right-click in the Display adapters section and select "Show hidden devices." If your AMD card appears grayed out, right-click it and select Enable. If it still does not appear, restart your computer and check again.

Do I need to restart my computer after rolling back a driver?

Yes. Always restart after uninstalling or installing a driver. The restart allows Windows to fully load the new driver and prevents conflicts. Some systems may require two restarts before the driver works correctly.

Can I keep two different driver versions and switch between them?

No. Windows can only use one driver version at a time for your graphics card. You must uninstall one version before installing another. The process takes a few minutes, so switching is practical if you need to test different versions.