Updating video drivers in Windows 10 can be a bit of a headache sometimes, especially when things aren’t looking great — sudden screen glitches, sluggish performance, or weird artifacts can make you think your graphics card is on its last legs. But honestly, it’s often just a driver issue. The good news is that it’s usually an easy fix, and doing it manually via Device Manager tends to be the most straightforward way. Just be aware, sometimes Windows doesn’t find the latest driver on its own, so a manual update from the manufacturer’s website might be necessary. Plus, a lot of folks forget to restart after the update, which is actually super important for the driver to take effect. So, this quick guide covers not just the steps, but also some tips from the trenches—what works, what doesn’t, and what to watch out for.
How to Update Video Drivers in Windows 10
Find the right place: Device Manager
Start by right-clicking on the Start button, then pick Device Manager. Yeah, Windows makes it easy. It’s kind of weird how often people forget this step, but it’s literally the command center for your hardware. Inside, you’ll see all the connected stuff—your graphics card, network adapters, sound devices, everything. If your screen looks weird or you’re noticing performance dips, chances are your driver needs a refresh here.
Locate your graphics card
Scroll down and look for Display adapters. Click the little arrow to expand it. You should see your video card listed there — probably something like “NVIDIA GeForce, ” “AMD Radeon, ” or maybe Intel integrated graphics. If you’re unsure which model it is, right-click it and choose Properties for more info.Pro tip: Some drivers have peculiar naming conventions, so knowing your exact model helps if you need to manually download from the manufacturer.
Start the driver update
Right-click on your video card’s name, then pick Update driver. Here’s where most people get stuck — will Windows find a newer driver automatically? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Often, Windows is lazy and sticks to what it has, so don’t be surprised if it says “The best driver is already installed” even if your games are still acting up.
Choose how to search for updates
Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will go online and try to find a better version for you.Note: If it doesn’t find anything or you suspect the version is outdated, it’s time to visit the manufacturer’s site directly. Nvidia, AMD, Intel — they all keep their latest drivers on their websites, and sometimes, those are newer than what Windows shows.
To do this manually, head over to the NVIDIA driver download page, or AMD’s driver site, or Intel’s Download Center. Find your model, download the latest driver, and follow their installer instructions.
Reboot, then check if it helped
After installing the update, don’t skip the restart. Windows really needs a clean reboot to load the new driver properly. Sometimes, on one setup, it works fine after the first try, but on another, you might need a second reboot to see improvements or, worse, your system might hang or show errors. It’s kind of weird, but that’s Windows for you.
Once rebooted, fire up some games or apps that were glitching, and see if it’s smoother. Better frame rates? Fewer crashes? That’s the goal, even if it’s just a noticeable bump.
Tips for Updating Video Drivers in Windows 10
- Always set a restore point before messing with drivers — better safe than sorry if something breaks. You can do this via Control Panel > System > System Protection.
- Check the manufacturer’s website regularly for newer drivers, not just rely on Windows Update. Sometimes they’re months ahead.
- If the newest driver causes issues, revert back to a previous version from Device Manager > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver. Not always possible, but it can save the day.
- Be cautious with third-party driver updaters; they can pull the wrong drivers, which leads to all sorts of problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell if my video driver is outdated?
If your screen flickers, crashes, or games run like crap, it’s probably time for an update. Also, sometimes Device Manager will say “Driver is up to date, ” but performance doesn’t match that. Checking the driver version against the latest on the manufacturer’s website can clarify.
Can I update drivers if I’m not super tech-savvy?
Absolutely. Windows makes it pretty painless, and most updates are just a few clicks. If you’re really unsure, just hit the manufacturer’s site directly and follow their step-by-step installer.
Is it worth updating drivers regularly?
Most definitely. It’s like maintaining a car — keeps everything running smoothly and avoids surprises. Plus, if you’re gaming or doing graphics work, newer drivers often provide better support for new titles or software features.
What if Windows doesn’t find anything new?
If Windows says your driver’s current, but things still look off, head straight to the hardware maker’s site. Sometimes they release “hotfix” or beta drivers that aren’t in Windows Update yet.
Summary
- Open Device Manager from the Start menu or right-click menu
- Find your graphics card under Display Adapters
- Right-click and select “Update driver”
- Choose “Search automatically” or download manually from the manufacturer’s site
- Reboot to make sure everything loads correctly
Wrap-up
Getting your video drivers up to date isn’t complicated but can be surprisingly effective. It’s kind of weird that Windows doesn’t always keep things perfectly current, so a bit of manual effort sometimes pays off big time. After a quick update and restart, you might notice your screen glitches vanish and games run smoother. It’s kind of satisfying when a simple driver update fixes stuff that seemed like hardware failures. Hopefully, this saves someone a few hours or a lot of frustration. Fingers crossed this helps!