Resetting your graphics driver is a useful option for a number of scenarios for your Windows PC.
If you’re experiencing strange screen flickering or have noticed your graphics card behaving erratically after an update, sometimes resetting your graphics driver can be a simple solution to get your PC running smoothly again .
The quickest way to reset your graphics driver in Windows is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Windows + Shift + B. After pressing this key combination, you should hear a beep before your screen goes black and then reappears.
We’ve also detailed the manual method below, just in case the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work for you.
What you will need
The short version
- Open Device Manager
- Expand graphics adapters
- Right-click your graphics driver and click Properties
- Click on the Driver tab
- Select Disable device, then Yes
- Select Enable device
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Stage
1Open Device Manager
You can locate it by typing Device Manager in the Windows search bar found in the taskbar.
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Stage
2Expand graphics adapters
This should be the sixth option. You can expand Graphics Adapters by tapping the little arrow below it.
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Stage
3Right-click your graphics driver and click Properties
Your GPU name should now appear to indicate your graphics driver. Right-click on it, then select Properties at the bottom of the pop-up window.
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Stage
4Click on the Driver tab
At the top of the pop-up window, you should find a row of tabs. Click on the second one, which should be labeled Driver.
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Stage
5Select Disable device, then Yes
At the bottom of the window you should find the Turn off device option. Click on it. You will then receive a warning pop-up message. Confirm your decision by tapping Yes. Your screen will now go black for a few seconds, before reappearing. You may notice that your display now looks a little strange, but don’t worry.
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Stage
6Select Enable device
Once your screen returns after a momentary pause, be sure to click Turn on 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 have been resolved.
Troubleshooting
If you’re still experiencing display issues despite resetting your graphics driver, it’s worth uninstalling your drivers (you can find the option in step 5) and then visiting the relevant manufacturer’s 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.
Resetting your graphics driver is a useful option for a number of scenarios for your Windows PC.
If you’re experiencing strange screen flickering or have noticed your graphics card behaving erratically after an update, sometimes resetting your graphics driver can be a simple solution to get your PC running smoothly again .
The quickest way to reset your graphics driver in Windows is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Windows + Shift + B. After pressing this key combination, you should hear a beep before your screen goes black and then reappears.
We’ve also detailed the manual method below, just in case the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work for you.
What you will need
The short version
- Open Device Manager
- Expand graphics adapters
- Right-click your graphics driver and click Properties
- Click on the Driver tab
- Select Disable device, then Yes
- Select Enable device
-
Stage
1Open Device Manager
You can locate it by typing Device Manager in the Windows search bar found in the taskbar.
-
Stage
2Expand graphics adapters
This should be the sixth option. You can expand Graphics Adapters by tapping the little arrow below it.
-
Stage
3Right-click your graphics driver and click Properties
Your GPU name should now appear to indicate your graphics driver. Right-click on it, then select Properties at the bottom of the pop-up window.
-
Stage
4Click on the Driver tab
At the top of the pop-up window, you should find a row of tabs. Click on the second one, which should be labeled Driver.
-
Stage
5Select Disable device, then Yes
At the bottom of the window you should find the Turn off device option. Click on it. You will then receive a warning pop-up message. Confirm your decision by tapping Yes. Your screen will now go black for a few seconds, before reappearing. You may notice that your display now looks a little strange, but don’t worry.
-
Stage
6Select Enable device
Once your screen returns after a momentary pause, be sure to click Turn on 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 have been resolved.
Troubleshooting
If you’re still experiencing display issues despite resetting your graphics driver, it’s worth uninstalling your drivers (you can find the option in step 5) and then visiting the relevant manufacturer’s 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.