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Your graphics card (GPU) is the heart of your gaming PC, but it's only as good as the software that tells it how to run. Graphics drivers are complex pieces of software that manufacturers constantly update to boost performance in new games, fix bugs, and add new features. Keeping them current is one of the most important parts of PC maintenance.

Luckily, both NVIDIA and AMD have made the process incredibly simple with their dedicated software suites. This guide will show you the recommended method for each.

How to Update NVIDIA GeForce Drivers

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, the easiest way to manage your drivers is with the GeForce Experience application. It often comes bundled with your drivers, but if you don't have it, you can download it for free from the NVIDIA website.

Open GeForce Experience. You may need to create or log in to an NVIDIA account.
Click on the Drivers tab in the top-left corner.
GeForce Experience will automatically check if you have the latest driver. If a new one is available, you will see it listed.
Click the green Download button. The software will download the driver package, which can be several hundred megabytes.
Once the download is complete, you will have two choices: Express Installation or Custom Installation. For most users, Express is the best option. It will install the new driver with the recommended settings.
The screen may flicker or go black for a moment during installation. This is normal. Once it's finished, you're all set!

How to Update AMD Radeon Drivers

For AMD graphics card owners, the process is just as easy using the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition application.

Right-click on your desktop and select AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition to open it. If you don't have it, you can download it from the AMD support website.
In the application, check the Driver & Software status on the right side of the Home tab. It will tell you if your drivers are up to date.
You can also click the gear icon in the top right to go to Settings, then navigate to the System tab.
Under the 'Software & Drivers' section, click Check for Updates.
If a new driver is found, a 'Download' button will appear. Click it to begin downloading the update.
After the download, an 'Install' button will appear. Click it to launch the installer, which will guide you through the final steps. As with NVIDIA, your screen may flicker during the process.

What Is a 'Clean Installation'?

During a custom installation, you'll often see a checkbox labeled “Perform a clean installation.” Ticking this box tells the installer to first remove all your old driver files and settings before installing the new ones.

When should you use it?

If you are experiencing bugs, crashes, or poor performance that you think might be driver-related.
If you are upgrading your graphics card to a new model.

For routine updates, a clean installation is not usually necessary, but it doesn't hurt. It simply resets your graphics settings (like those in the NVIDIA Control Panel) back to their defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I download drivers from Windows Update?

It's generally not recommended. Windows Update often provides older, more generic versions of graphics drivers that lack the game-specific optimizations found in the official releases from NVIDIA and AMD.

What if an update causes problems?

Rarely, a new driver can introduce issues. Both NVIDIA and AMD's websites keep an archive of previous driver versions. You can download an older, stable version and install it to roll back the update. Using a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is the most thorough way to remove a problematic driver before reinstalling an old one.

How often should I update my drivers?

A good rule of thumb is to check for updates whenever a major new game you want to play is released, as there will likely be a 'Game Ready' driver for it. Otherwise, checking once a month is plenty.

Key Takeaways

Updating graphics drivers is essential for the best performance and stability in new games.
Use NVIDIA's GeForce Experience or AMD's Software: Adrenalin Edition to automatically find and install the correct drivers.
For most routine updates, the 'Express Installation' option is sufficient.
Use the 'Clean Installation' option if you are troubleshooting issues or have just installed a new GPU.
Avoid installing graphics drivers directly from Windows Update.

How to Safely Update Your Graphics Card Drivers (NVIDIA & AMD)