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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Updating Windows or your graphics driver can resolve some game errors caused by compatibility problems, but it will not fix every crash or launch failure. Start with Windows Update, install the official driver for your exact GPU and PC, restart, and retry the game. If the error remains, follow the game publisher’s guidance for that exact message rather than assuming the driver is to blame.
Before you update, record the error and your PC details
Write down the game’s name and the full error text or code, then identify your Windows version and build, graphics processor (GPU), and installed driver version. Those details help you choose a compatible driver and give the game’s support team information it can use. Avoid downloading a driver based only on a generic message such as “graphics driver needs an update.”
To check the GPU, open Device Manager and expand Display adapters. For a laptop or all-in-one, also note the computer’s manufacturer and exact model; its support page may provide a driver tailored to that system.
How do I update Windows for games?
Windows Update is Microsoft’s official starting point for Windows updates. In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update. In Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Check for updates, install applicable updates, and restart if Windows asks you to.
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If an update fails, use Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooting steps. Microsoft provides the Get Help troubleshooter and guidance for common update errors, cache problems, and repair options. Note that Windows 10 standard support ended on October 14, 2025; Microsoft no longer provides its standard free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. See Microsoft’s Install Windows Updates page for its current guidance.
How do I update my graphics driver to fix a game error?
Use the official support channel for the GPU manufacturer shown in Device Manager. Check that the download supports your exact GPU and Windows version, and read the release notes for supported products and known issues. Driver version numbers are not directly comparable across manufacturers.
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| GPU manufacturer | Official driver route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | NVIDIA driver downloads or the NVIDIA App | NVIDIA distinguishes Game Ready drivers for gaming from Studio drivers for creative applications. Confirm the GPU and Windows compatibility. NVIDIA says notebook models may use OEM-certified drivers and recommends checking the notebook maker’s recommendations; see its notebook driver guidance. |
| AMD | AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and its release notes | Check that the release supports your GPU and review its game-specific support and known issues. AMD’s release notes advise laptop and all-in-one users who have problems with AMD.com packages to use OEM-provided drivers for full support and compatibility. That guidance is specific to the circumstances described; the notes for one release do not establish what applies to every GPU or release. |
| Intel | Intel Download Center or Intel Driver & Support Assistant | Use Intel’s tools to identify the graphics device and check whether a newer compatible driver is available, particularly if an app reports that the graphics driver needs an update. |
For a laptop or all-in-one, check the PC maker too
Before installing a generic GPU package, look up your exact computer model on its manufacturer’s support page. Notebook and all-in-one systems can have model-specific compatibility requirements. NVIDIA recommends checking notebook OEM guidance, and AMD advises OEM drivers for affected laptop and all-in-one users when its downloaded package causes problems.
Install and retry
- Download the compatible driver from the GPU maker’s official channel or, for a model-specific laptop or all-in-one driver, the computer maker’s support page.
- Run the installer and follow its instructions. Restart Windows when prompted; if no restart is requested, restart before testing the game.
- Launch the game again and note whether the original error disappeared, changed, or remained the same.
Should I roll back my graphics driver if a game started crashing?
If the problem began after a graphics-driver update, rolling back to the previous driver can be a reasonable diagnostic step. In Windows, open Device Manager > Display adapters, right-click your GPU, select Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver, and follow the prompts. The button may be unavailable; Windows only offers this option when it can roll back the driver. Microsoft documents rollback as a way to address problems introduced by a recent driver update in its display troubleshooting guidance.
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That page also describes Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. Microsoft discusses this for display symptoms such as screen flicker, not as a universal fix for game crashes. A driver update or reset should not be treated as proof that the underlying issue is graphical.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the game error persists
Use the game publisher’s support instructions for the exact error text or code. Errors can also stem from game files, the launcher, compatibility settings, overheating, hardware, or network problems; the fact that a game reports a driver warning does not establish which cause applies.
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- Keep the full error message and note what changed after each update or rollback.
- Check the GPU vendor’s current release notes for your exact GPU and Windows version rather than relying on an old version number or a report about a different model.
- Use the publisher’s game-specific troubleshooting steps before trying unrelated system changes.
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