Update your display driver through Device Manager (Windows) or System Settings (Mac)
Your display driver is the software that lets your operating system talk to your graphics card. When it's outdated, you might see screen flickering, resolution problems, or games that stutter. Updating it is usually straightforward and takes 10 to 20 minutes, though you'll need to restart your computer afterward.
On Windows, the fastest route is Device Manager. On Mac, it's System Settings. Both methods check for updates from your graphics card manufacturer — Nvidia, AMD, or Intel — and install them automatically. If automatic updates don't work, you can read the driver directly from the manufacturer's website and install it manually.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can update through Device Manager by right-clicking the display adapter and selecting "Update driver," which searches for the latest version automatically.
- Mac users should go to System Settings, select "General," then "Software Update" to check for graphics driver updates bundled with system updates.
- If automatic updates fail, read the driver directly from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel's support website and run the installer manually.
- Always restart your computer after installing a new driver, even if the installer doesn't prompt you to do so.
- Uninstall the old driver before installing a new one if you're switching graphics card brands or troubleshooting a problem.
Update your display driver in Windows using Device Manager
Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. If that option doesn't appear, search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar. Look for "Display adapters" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand the category.
Right-click your graphics card — it will be listed by name, usually something like "Nvidia GeForce," "AMD Radeon," or "Intel Iris." Select "Update driver" from the menu. Windows will then search online for the latest driver. If an update is found, follow the on-screen prompts to install it. The process usually takes a few minutes.
After installation completes, restart your computer even if Windows doesn't ask you to. Some driver updates require a restart to take effect, and restarting ensures the new driver loads properly. If Device Manager says your driver is already up to date, move to the manual read method below.
Update your display driver on Mac through System Settings
Mac handles graphics drivers differently than Windows — they're bundled into system updates rather than downloaded separately. Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting "System Settings." Click "General" in the left sidebar, then select "Software Update."
Mac will check for available updates, including any graphics driver updates. If updates are found, click "Update Now" and follow the prompts. The process may take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the update. Your Mac will restart automatically during installation.
If no updates are available, your graphics driver is current. Mac doesn't offer a separate graphics driver update outside of system updates, so checking System Settings is the only method available on macOS.
read and install the driver manually from the manufacturer
If automatic updates don't find a newer driver, or if you need a specific driver version, read it directly from the graphics card manufacturer. Visit the support website for Nvidia, AMD, or Intel depending on your card. On each site, you'll enter your graphics card model and operating system, and the site will show you the latest available driver.
read the installer file to your computer. Before running it, close all open programs, including web browsers and email. Then double-click the installer and follow the on-screen steps. The installer will usually detect your graphics card automatically and proceed with installation.
When the installer finishes, it will prompt you to restart. Do so when ready — don't delay or skip this step. A restart is required for the driver to load and function properly.
Uninstall the old driver before installing a new one
If you're switching from one graphics card brand to another — for example, from Nvidia to AMD — uninstall the old driver first. Leaving an old driver installed can cause conflicts and display problems. On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click your graphics card, and select "Uninstall device." Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" and click "Uninstall."
Restart your computer. Windows will use a basic display driver until you install the new one. Then read and install the new driver from the manufacturer as described above. On Mac, you don't need to uninstall anything — just install the system update, which replaces the old driver automatically.
Troubleshoot if the driver won't install or update
If the installer fails or Device Manager won't find an update, try these steps in order. First, restart your computer and try again — sometimes a temporary conflict prevents installation. Second, read the driver again from the manufacturer's website; the file may have been corrupted during the first read.
Third, uninstall the current driver completely (as described above), restart, and then install the new one. Fourth, disable any antivirus software temporarily while the installer runs — some security programs block driver installation. Re-enable it when the installation is complete.
If none of these work, the graphics card itself may have a hardware problem, or your motherboard may need a BIOS update to recognize a newer driver. At that point, contact the graphics card manufacturer's support line or take the computer to a technician.
When to update your display driver
You don't need to update your driver every month. Update it when you notice problems — screen flickering, games running poorly, or resolution issues — or when you install new software that requires a newer driver. Some people update once or twice a year as part of routine maintenance, which is reasonable but not necessary if everything is working.
If you play games or use graphics-heavy software like video editing or 3D modeling, updating every few months can help you get the best performance. Nvidia and AMD release driver updates regularly to improve performance in new games and fix bugs. Check the manufacturer's website if you want to know what's new in the latest version before you update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will updating my driver improve my gaming performance?
Sometimes. New drivers often include optimizations for recently released games, so updating may improve frame rates in newer titles. Older games usually won't see a difference. If your current driver is several years old, updating will likely help. If it's already recent, the improvement will be small or nonexistent.
What if my computer won't display anything after I update the driver?
Restart the computer. If the screen stays blank, restart again and hold down the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown. Then turn it back on. Windows will often revert to a basic driver if the new one fails to load. If the screen remains blank, boot into Safe Mode (restart and press F8 repeatedly before Windows loads) and uninstall the driver from Device Manager.
Can I update my display driver while using my computer?
Yes, you can read and install the driver while working, but you must restart when the installation finishes. Don't delay the restart — the new driver won't work until the computer restarts. Close all open programs before restarting to avoid losing unsaved work.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver if I'm updating to a newer version from the same manufacturer?
No. If you're updating Nvidia to a newer Nvidia driver, or AMD to a newer AMD driver, the installer will replace the old one automatically. You only need to uninstall manually if you're switching brands or if the installation fails and you want to start fresh.
How do I know which graphics card I have?
On Windows, right-click the desktop and look for an option like "Nvidia Control Panel" or "AMD Radeon Settings." If you see one, that's your card. Otherwise, open Device Manager, expand "Display adapters," and read the name. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," and look under "Graphics" — it will show your card model.