The fastest way to update your graphics driver depends on your hardware

The method you use to update your graphics driver depends on whether you have an NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPU. Each manufacturer provides its own update tool, and using the right one for your hardware takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also let Windows handle it automatically, though manufacturer tools usually deliver updates faster.

Before you start, know what GPU you have. Right-click your desktop and look for "NVIDIA Control Panel," "AMD Radeon Settings," or "Intel Graphics Settings." If you see one of these, that's your hardware. If you don't see any, open Device Manager (search for it in Windows), expand "Display adapters," and look at the name listed there.

Key Takeaways

  • NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel each have their own driver update tools — using the manufacturer's tool is faster than waiting for Windows Update.
  • You can find your GPU type by right-clicking your desktop or checking Device Manager under Display adapters.
  • Downloading directly from the manufacturer's website takes 10 to 15 minutes and usually completes without restarting your computer.
  • Windows Update will eventually push driver updates, but manufacturer tools deliver them weeks earlier.

Updating an NVIDIA driver through GeForce Experience

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, read GeForce Experience from nvidia.com/read/driverDetails.html. The site will detect your hardware automatically. read the installer, run it, and follow the on-screen steps to install GeForce Experience itself.

Once GeForce Experience is installed, open it and look for a "Drivers" tab. Click "Check for updates." If an update is available, you'll see a button to read and install it. The tool will handle the installation and usually won't require a restart. If it does, you'll see a prompt asking permission before anything happens.

Updating an AMD driver through AMD Software

AMD's update tool is called AMD Software (formerly AMD Radeon Software). Go to amd.com/en/technologies/radeon-software and read the installer for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the steps to set up AMD Software on your computer.

Open AMD Software once it's installed. Look for "Updates" or a settings icon, then select "Check for updates." If a driver update is available, you'll see it listed with the option to read and install. AMD Software will complete the installation, and you may need to restart your computer when it's done.

Updating an Intel graphics driver

Intel integrated graphics (the kind built into most laptop processors) update through Intel's Driver Support Assistant. Go to intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html and read the detection tool. Run it and let it scan your system.

The tool will tell you whether driver updates are available. If they are, click the button to read and install them. Intel drivers typically install without requiring a restart, though the tool may ask you to restart anyway. You can usually decline and restart later on your own schedule.

Letting Windows Update handle it automatically

Windows Update will eventually push graphics driver updates to your computer. Go to Settings, then System, then About, and click "Check for updates." Windows will scan for available updates including drivers. If a graphics driver update is available, it will appear in the list.

The downside is that Windows Update typically delivers driver updates weeks after the manufacturer releases them. If you're experiencing graphics problems or want the latest features, using the manufacturer's tool is faster. If your computer is working fine and you're not in a hurry, letting Windows Update handle it is simpler and requires no action on your part.

What to do if the update fails or causes problems

If an update fails partway through, restart your computer and try again. Most driver updates are designed to resume if interrupted. If the same update fails twice, restart your computer in Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart in the power menu), uninstall the driver through Device Manager, restart normally, and then read and install the driver fresh from the manufacturer's website.

If a driver update causes your display to flicker, freeze, or go black, restart your computer. Windows will usually detect the problem and roll back to the previous driver automatically. If that doesn't happen, restart in Safe Mode, go to Device Manager, right-click your graphics adapter, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver." This will restore the version you had before the update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. The manufacturer's update tools and Windows Update both install over the existing driver without requiring you to uninstall first. Uninstalling is only necessary if an update fails or causes problems and you want to start completely fresh.

Will updating my graphics driver improve my gaming performance?

Sometimes. New drivers often include optimizations for recently released games, so updating can improve frame rates in newer titles. Older games usually see no change. Driver updates also fix bugs and stability issues, which may prevent crashes even if they don't boost performance.

How often should I update my graphics driver?

Check for updates once a month. Manufacturers release new drivers roughly every two to four weeks. You don't need to update when ready every time — waiting a week or two lets other users catch any problems first. If your computer is working fine, updating every few months is also acceptable.

What if I can't find my GPU in Device Manager?

Open Device Manager, look for "Other devices" or "Unknown devices," and see if anything there has a yellow warning icon. That's usually your graphics adapter. Right-click it, select "Update driver," and choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search online for the correct driver.

Can I update my graphics driver on a laptop?

Yes, but some laptop manufacturers provide their own driver update tools instead of letting you use NVIDIA's or AMD's directly. Check your laptop maker's support website first — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others often have their own driver read pages. If you don't find one, use the GPU manufacturer's tool instead.