Your graphics driver is one of the most important pieces of software on your Windows 11 laptop or PC. It’s the link between your operating system and your GPU (graphics card). Without it, you wouldn’t be able to play games, edit videos, or even watch movies smoothly.
But sometimes, things go wrong. Maybe your screen flickers, apps crash, or games won’t load properly. Often, the solution is simple: reinstalling your graphics drivers.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through step by step on how to reinstall graphics drivers on Windows 11—whether you’re using NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
Why Reinstall Graphics Drivers?
You might be wondering: Why bother reinstalling? Well, here are the most common reasons:
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Fix screen flickering or glitches.
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Solve driver corruption after a failed update.
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Restore missing display settings.
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Improve gaming performance.
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Fix crashes in graphics-heavy apps.
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Ensure compatibility after a Windows update.
How to Check Which Graphics Card You Have
Before reinstalling, you need to know whether your GPU is NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
Method 1: Use Device Manager
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Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters.
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You’ll see the name of your GPU.
Method 2: Use Task Manager
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Go to the Performance tab.
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Click GPU on the left to see details.
Method 1 – Reinstall Graphics Drivers via Device Manager
This is the easiest way.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Press Windows + X, then select Device Manager.
Step 2: Uninstall Driver
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Expand Display adapters.
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Right-click your graphics card → Uninstall device.
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Tick Delete the driver software for this device if available.
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Click Uninstall.
Step 3: Restart Your PC
Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
Method 2 – Use Windows Update to Reinstall Drivers
Windows Update often provides driver updates.
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Open Settings (Windows + I).
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Go to Windows Update → Check for updates.
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Install any Optional updates → Driver updates available.
Method 3 – Use Manufacturer’s Software
If you want the latest drivers, use your GPU’s official tool:
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NVIDIA → GeForce Experience
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Intel → Intel Driver & Support Assistant
These apps automatically detect your GPU and install the newest drivers.
Method 4 – Manually Reinstall from Manufacturer Website
Prefer doing it yourself?
Step 1: Find GPU Model
Use Device Manager or Task Manager as shown earlier.
Step 2: Visit Official Website
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NVIDIA: Download Drivers
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AMD: Drivers & Support
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Intel: Download Center
Step 3: Download Correct Driver
Enter your GPU model, select Windows 11, and download.
Step 4: Install Driver
Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Method 5 – Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for Clean Reinstall
If normal reinstall doesn’t solve the issue, do a clean reinstall.
Step 1: Download DDU
Get Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from Wagnardsoft’s official website.
Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode
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Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
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Under Boot options, select Safe boot → Restart.
Step 3: Run DDU
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Open DDU and choose your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
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Click Clean and restart.
Step 4: Install Fresh Drivers
After reboot, install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s site.
How to Reinstall Intel Integrated Graphics Drivers
If you’re on a laptop without a dedicated GPU, you probably use Intel graphics.
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Download and install the tool.
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It will detect your GPU and suggest the latest drivers.
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Install and restart your laptop.
How to Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers
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Download GeForce Experience from NVIDIA’s website.
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Log in and go to the Drivers tab.
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Click Check for updates.
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Select Express Installation for automatic setup.
How to Reinstall AMD Drivers
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Download Radeon Software Adrenalin from AMD’s site.
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Open the software and go to the Drivers & Software section.
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Click Check for Updates.
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Install the recommended driver.
How to Verify If Drivers Were Reinstalled Successfully
After reinstalling, make sure the drivers are working.
Method 1: Check Device Manager
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Open Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters.
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See if your GPU is listed without error icons.
Method 2: Run DirectX Diagnostic Tool
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Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and hit Enter.
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Go to the Display tab.
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Check driver details.
Method 3: Test with a Game or App
Launch a game or graphic-heavy app to see if performance improved.
Common Problems After Reinstalling Graphics Drivers
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Black screen after install → Restart PC in Safe Mode and reinstall.
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Driver not installing → Use DDU for a clean uninstall first.
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Games still lagging → Check if you installed the correct driver version.
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Windows keeps reinstalling old drivers → Disable automatic driver updates.
Tips for Maintaining Graphics Drivers
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Always download drivers from official sources.
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Update drivers every few months or when facing issues.
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Don’t rush to install new drivers on day one—sometimes they have bugs.
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Keep Windows updated for better compatibility.
Conclusion
Reinstalling graphics drivers in Windows 11 can solve a wide range of display and performance issues. Whether you do it through Device Manager, Windows Update, or the official GPU software, the process is straightforward.
If you want the cleanest reinstall, use DDU in Safe Mode before installing fresh drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Once reinstalled, your system should run smoother, games will perform better, and crashes should be minimized.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to uninstall old drivers before installing new ones?
Not always, but for best results, a clean uninstall using DDU is recommended.
Q2: Can I reinstall drivers without internet?
Yes, but you’ll need the driver installer downloaded beforehand.
Q3: How often should I update my graphics drivers?
Every 2–3 months, or immediately if you encounter issues.
Q4: Is it safe to reinstall drivers multiple times?
Yes, reinstalling drivers won’t damage your system.
Q5: What if reinstalling drivers doesn’t fix my issue?
Try hardware troubleshooting—your GPU itself may be faulty.