How to Update Your Video Card Drivers

PDF download Download Article
Keep your graphics card drivers up-to-date with this comprehensive guide
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches how to update the software that controls your computer's video card, which can improve performance in video games and HD movie playback.

Things You Should Know

  • Begin by identifying your video card manufacturer and visiting the manufacturer's driver page.
  • Download the installer and run it.
  • Mac users can also click the Updates button within the App Store to update all their drivers.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this in the lower-left corner of the screen, and it will have the Windows logo.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the Device Manager window.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There are three main video card manufacturers that your adapter is almost guaranteed to be using: NVIDIA, AMD/ATI, and Intel.
    • If you see Intel and NVIDIA, your computer is either switching between them as necessary or you've installed an NVIDIA card on a motherboard with Intel graphics. In either case, you'll be getting the NVIDIA drivers.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll need to know the video card model and model number in order to download the correct drivers. You'll see all of this information after the manufacturer name.
    • For example, "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670" is made by "NVIDIA" and the model line is "GeForce." The model number is "GTX 670."
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now that you know the video card information, you'll need to download the driver software from the manufacturer.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Each manufacturer has a website dedicated to driver downloads for their cards:
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use the drop-down menus and the model number you noted earlier to find your specific video card. All three websites also have an auto-detect tool that you can run, which will determine your video card. You may need to accept some security warnings when running these tools.
    • If your video card is older than four or five years, it may no longer be supported by the manufacturer and new drivers may not be available.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you've found the drivers for your card, click the download link or button to begin downloading the installers. Video card driver installers can be fairly large, and may take a while to download.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-10-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-10-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-10-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-10-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After the installer has finished downloading, click it to start installing the drivers. You'll find the installer at the bottom of your browser window, or in the Downloads folder.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-11-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-11-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The process is different for each manufacturer, but you can generally leave all of the installation settings at their defaults.
    • During the installation process, your monitor may flicker or shut off for a moment.
    12. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On older Macs, you may need to click Software Updates instead.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see this at the bottom of the App Store window.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will install all available updates, including any system updates. Updates for your Mac's video card are included in system updates. [1]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-16-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-16-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-16-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Update-Video-Card-Drivers-Step-16-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You may be prompted to reboot your computer after installation is complete.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Generally you only need to worry about updating your drivers if you are experiencing a problem.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      4 Simple Ways to Find Out What Graphics Card You Have
      How to
      Change a Graphics Card
      How to
      Build a Circuit Board
      10 Simple Steps to Install Two Video Cards on a Computer
      How to
      Add a Sound Device to a Computer
      How to
      Install a Wireless Card
      Easy Steps to Install a Sound Card
      How to
      Detect a Sound Card
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/213892/why-doesnt-os-x-require-graphics-card-driver-updates

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 40,312 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement