When troubleshooting a video card driver issue, there are several steps you can take to resolve the problem.
Step 1: Check Device Manager
The first step to troubleshooting a video card driver issue is to check Device Manager. To access Device Manager, press the Windows key + R and type in “devmgmt.msc” into the Run box. This will open Device Manager where you can view all of the hardware connected to your computer. Here, you can check for any possible conflicts or errors by looking at the various icons. If a device appears with a yellow exclamation mark, this could indicate a problem with the driver.
Step 2: Update Drivers
If you see an exclamation mark, or if you want to upgrade your graphics driver version, you can update the driver. This can be done through Device Manager or automatically through third-party software.
If you choose to update via Device Manager, right-click on the device and select “Update Driver.” From here, you can choose to search online for the latest driver, or you can browse to a saved driver file stored on your computer. If the driver you need is not available online, you may have to contact the manufacturer of your card for a driver download.
Alternatively, you can use a third-party driver updater software, such as Driver Booster or Driver Easy. These programs scan your system for outdated drivers and allow you to update them more easily.
Step 3: Roll Back Drivers
If updating the driver does not resolve the issue, you can try rolling back the driver to a previous version. This can be done in Device Manager by right-clicking on the video card and selecting “Properties.” From here, select the “Driver” tab and then click “Roll Back Driver.” This will uninstall the current version of the driver and install the previously used version.
Step 4: Disable or Uninstall Problem Drivers
If rollback doesn’t work, you can try disabling or uninstalling the problematic driver. To do this, right-click on the video card in Device Manager and select “Disable” or “Uninstall.” This will prevent the driver from being loaded in the future. When you restart your PC, Windows will attempt to find and install a new driver for the device, which may resolve the issue.
Step 5: Install Generic Drivers
If none of the above steps work, you can try installing a generic driver from the Windows Update Catalog. To access the Windows Update Catalog, open Internet Explorer and type in “windowsupdate.microsoft.com.” This site contains a list of generic drivers for various devices. You can search for the specific device you want to install and download the correct driver file. Once downloaded, you can double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
Step 6: Reinstall System
If all else fails, the last resort is reinstalling your operating system. This will delete all of your files and data, so be sure to back up important documents first. To reinstall your system, insert the installation media (such as a DVD or USB drive) into your computer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once the reinstallation is complete, you should have a fully functioning video card driver without any issues.
By following these steps, you should be able to solve most video card driver issues. If none of these steps work, you may have to contact the manufacturer of your video card for specialized support.