How To Reset Graphics Driver? Get More Details

For many PC gaming enthusiasts and professionals using graphically intensive applications, encountering issues with the graphics card can cause significant disruptions. Symptoms like black screens, freezing, and error messages might signal a problem with the GPU. Fortunately, resetting the graphics driver often resolves these issues. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to reset graphics drivers for different manufacturers and explains the use of specialized tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for deeper driver management.

Quick Reset for Immediate Troubleshooting

Sometimes, a quick reset of the graphics driver is all that’s needed to resolve minor glitches or temporary freezes.

For Windows 10 and Windows 11 Users:

Quick Reset Shortcut: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. This key combination forces Windows to refresh the graphics driver. Your screen will go black momentarily before the display resets, potentially clearing up any graphical anomalies.

This method is particularly useful for immediate troubleshooting of issues such as stuck menus, no image post-sleep, or screen artifacts.

Manufacturer-Specific Driver Reset

Depending on your graphics card, the process to reset your driver to its factory settings can vary. Below are the steps for the major graphics card manufacturers: AMD, Nvidia, and Intel.

Resetting AMD Graphics Driver:

Access Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings.
Restore Defaults: Navigate to the Preferences tab and click on Restore Factory Defaults.
Reboot: Optionally, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect properly.

Resetting Nvidia Graphics Driver:

Open Control Panel: Right-click on the desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.
Manage Settings: Go to Manage 3D Settings.
Restore Defaults: Click on the Restore Defaults button found in the upper-right-hand corner.
Reboot: Consider rebooting your PC to finalize the settings.

Resetting Intel Graphics Driver:

Graphics Properties: Right-click on the desktop and choose Graphics Properties.
Adjust 3D Settings: Select the 3D option.
Restore Defaults: Click on Restore Defaults.
Note: It’s unclear if these steps also apply to the newer Intel Arc GPUs, though it’s likely similar.

Using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for Comprehensive Reset

For complete removal of graphics drivers, especially when changing between different types of GPUs (e.g., from AMD to Nvidia), using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is recommended. This tool ensures that all remnants of the previous driver are removed, which can help prevent conflicts with new drivers.

How to Use DDU:

Download DDU: Download the tool from a trusted source and install it.
Enter Safe Mode: Reboot your PC into Safe Mode to prevent any conflicts. This can typically be done by holding the Shift key while clicking the restart option in Windows, then navigating through Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Startup Settings and finally restarting to select Safe Mode.
Run DDU: Launch DDU and select the driver type you wish to uninstall. You have options to remove and restart, or shut down if you’re planning to physically swap out your GPU.

Considerations When Using DDU:

Backup Settings: Always consider backing up your current driver settings before using DDU, especially if you only intend to perform a reset and not a complete swap.
Safe Mode: Running DDU in Safe Mode is not mandatory but highly recommended to ensure that Windows does not automatically install outdated or unwanted drivers in the background.

Conclusion

Resetting your graphics driver can be an effective way to resolve many common issues encountered during PC use. Whether you need a quick fix or a complete driver cleanse, understanding how to properly reset or uninstall your graphics driver using the methods outlined above will help maintain your system’s stability and performance. Always ensure you download the latest drivers and tools from official sources to avoid potential security risks.