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How to reset your graphics driver on Windows
In This Article
Resetting your graphics driver is a useful option for a number of scenarios for your Windows PC.
If you’re encountering odd screen flickering, or have noticed that your graphics card is behaving erratically after an update, then resetting your graphics driver can sometimes be an easy fix to get your PC working correctly again.
The quickest way to reset your graphics driver on Windows is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Windows + Shift + B. After hitting this key combo, you should hear a beeping noise, before your display goes black and then pops back into view.
We’ve also detailed the manual method below, just in case the keyboard shortcut isn’t working for you.
What you’ll need
The short version
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Step1
Open Device Manager
You can locate this by typing Device Manager into the Windows search bar found in the Taskbar.
Step2
Expand Display Adaptors
This should be the sixth option down. You can expand Display Adaptors by pressing on the small arrow underneath.
Step3
Right-click on your graphics driver and click on Properties
The name of yourGPUshould now appear to indicate your graphics driver. Right-click this, and then select Properties at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Step4
Click on the Driver tab
At the top of the pop-up window, you should find a row of tabs. Click on the second one along, which should be labelled as Driver.
Step5
Select Disable Device and then Yes
Near the bottom of the window, you should find the option for Disable Device. Click on this. You’ll then get a warning pop-up message. Confirm your decision by pressing Yes. Your screen will now go black for a couple of seconds, before reappearing. You may notice that your display now looks a bit odd, but there’s no need to worry.
Step6
Select Enable Device
Once your display returns after a momentary pause, then make sure to click on Enable Device. Your screen should then go black again, but will then return to normal. Your graphics driver has now been reset, and hopefully your display issues fixed.
Troubleshooting
If you’re still experiencing display issues despite resetting your graphics driver, then it’s worth uninstalling your drivers (you can find the option on Step 5) and then visiting the relevant manufacturer website to install the latest drivers for your specific GPU. Updating your PC is also worth a try.
Using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Windows + Shift + B will reset your graphics driver in an instant.
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Formerly the Staff Writer at Stuff Magazine, Ryan’s been writing about tech since he graduated from Cardiff University. At Trusted Reviews he is focused on everything computer-related, giving him a va…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
