If you’re having problems with the graphics on your computer’s monitor, one potential issue could be that there is something wrong with your graphics driver. Fortunately, there are a handful of ways to fix and reset faulty graphics drivers and, in this post, we’ll cover a few different methods for doing so.
First, though, let’s cover why it’s a good idea to reset your graphics drivers if you are having problems.
Benefits of Resetting Your Graphics Driver
If you’re experience issues with your computer’s display (i.e. it’s freezing, flickering, or stuttering), your graphics driver may be the culprit. And, so, if you are having those sorts of problems, one potential fix is to restart your graphics driver.
Restarting your graphics driver is a good place to start if you are having display issues as it is quick and easy and will likely fix your issue.
How to Reset Your Graphics Driver
You can quickly reset your graphics driver using the Win + Ctrl + Shift + B keyboard combination. This command makes your screen turn black for a second, but it restarts your graphics driver, which can potentially fix any issues you’ve been having.
The keyboard shortcut resets the graphics driver without closing other programs. Therefore, if the freezing occurred while you were playing a video game or working, this technique will help clear the issue without ruining your progress.
If you have a gaming PC, ensure you check if the Windows key is enabled before using this method. Otherwise, the keyboard shortcut won’t work.
What Should I Do If the Freezing Persists?
If your PC continues freezing after resetting your graphics driver, there might be a more serious problem with your driver. In this scenario, apply any of these methods:
- Update Windows
- Uninstall and then re-install the graphics driver
- Update the graphics driver
1. Update Windows
Updating Windows could resolve the problem. Here is how to update Windows:
1. Press Win + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings window.
2. Click “Update & Security”.
3. Click on the “Check for updates” button on the right pane.
4. Wait for the updates to download. Then reboot your PC.
5. Now check if the freezing issue has been fixed.
2. Uninstall and Then Re-Install Your Graphics Driver
Another great way to ensure the corrupted driver doesn’t cause more issues is to uninstall it. Windows will automatically install another graphics driver when you restart your machine.
Follow these steps to uninstall the driver:
1. Use the Win + R key combo to bring up the Run dialog box.
2. Type in “devmgmt.msc” (no quotes). Then click on the OK button.
3. When the Device Manager opens, double-click the “Display adapters” section.
4. Right-click on your graphics driver and choose “Uninstall device”.
5. Restart PC once the process completes.
3. Update Your Graphics Driver
Instead of uninstalling the driver, you could just update it and see if that fixes the problem. Plus, Windows might not automatically re-install the driver after uninstalling it. So, you might have to use this method to manually re-install it.
These instructions will help you through the process:
1. Right-click on the Windows icon on the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “Device Manager” from the menu.
3. On the new window, double-click “Display adapters” and right-click on your graphics driver.
4. Then choose “Update driver”.
5. Now reboot your PC, and check for the freezing.
Also, depending on if you have an NVIDIA or AMD GPU, you can use either company’s software to update your graphics driver for you.
Conclusion
The graphics driver is crucial as it plays a significant role in ensuring reliable performance. So, when it’s faulty, your computer’s display might start freezing or stuttering. Luckily, the solutions provided above can help you fix the problem.
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