How to Upgrade Drivers for a Video Card

Upgrading the video card drivers on your computer can provide performance enhancements and help to fix errors you may be experiencing. Major manufacturers often release updates every few months. This makes keeping your video card drivers up to date important for the health and performance of your computer.

Updates to your video drivers may be found in a number of locations:

Microsoft Windows Update

1. Power on your computer.


2. Launch Windows Update from the Start Menu. It is located under “All Programs.”


3. Click the text that includes “Optional Updates are Available” to view any video card driver upgrades available. If there is nothing listed here, there may still be updates on the manufacturer website.


4. Click “Important” on the bar on the left of the Windows Update interface.


5. Click the empty check box at the top of the updates listing. This should place a check in all the update boxes.


6. Click the check box at the top of the updates listing again. This should remove the check from all update boxes. This will ensure nothing is updating other than your video card drivers.


7. Click “Optional” on the bar on the left of the Windows Update interface.


8. Read the updates listed.


9. Check the box next to listings if they contain “nVidia," "ATI" or "Intel Graphics.” These are the most common video cards currently on the market. If you are unsure of which option is your graphics card, click an entry and select “More Information” from the bar on the right to view additional information about the device.


10. Click “OK.”


11. Click “Install Updates.”


12. Wait for the install process to complete and reboot the computer if requested.

Manufacturer’s Website

1. Power on your computer.


2. Click your “Start Menu.”


3. Click on “My Computer” or “Computer.”


4. Click “Properties” on the context menu.


5. Click “Device Manager” in the upper-right corner of the System Information screen.


6. Click the arrow next to “Display Adapters.”


7. Click any devices listed and choose "Properties." The manufacturer will be listed under "Manufacturer" on the "General" tab.


8. Launch your preferred web browser.


9. Type the address listed for your manufacturer into the address bar. For Intel, type "http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect." For ATI, type "http://www2.ati.com/drivers/auto/amddriverdownloader.exe." For nVidia type, "http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx."


10. Press the “Enter” key. The site should load and scan your system for driver updates.


11. Complete the driver installation wizard for your manufacturer.


12. Reboot the computer to apply all changes.