How to Update NVIDIA Drivers in Windows 11/10

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Keeping your NVIDIA graphics driver updated is one of the easiest ways to ensure your GPU works properly with Windows, games, and graphics-intensive applications. NVIDIA regularly releases driver updates that can add support for new games and applications, improve stability and performance, fix bugs, and address compatibility issues.

Fortunately, there are several ways to update NVIDIA drivers in Windows 11 and Windows 10. The easiest option for most GeForce users is the NVIDIA App, which can automatically detect the installed GPU and find the appropriate driver. You can also manually download drivers from NVIDIA’s website, use Windows Update, or update the driver through Device Manager.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to update NVIDIA drivers in Windows 11 and Windows 10 using every practical method, along with how to check your current driver version, choose between Game Ready and Studio drivers, perform a clean installation, and troubleshoot common update problems.

Why Should You Update NVIDIA Drivers?

Your graphics driver acts as the communication layer between Windows, applications, games, and your NVIDIA GPU. An outdated or corrupted driver can sometimes cause problems such as:

  • Games crashing or freezing
  • Poor gaming performance
  • Black screens or display flickering
  • Graphical glitches and artifacts
  • Applications failing to detect GPU acceleration
  • Problems after a Windows update
  • New games not performing correctly
  • NVIDIA features not working as expected

NVIDIA specifically recommends keeping its graphics drivers up to date, and its current driver-download system provides both Game Ready and Studio drivers depending on how you use your PC.

Before Updating: Check Your NVIDIA GPU Model

Before manually downloading a driver, it is useful to know exactly which NVIDIA graphics card is installed.

Using Device Manager

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Select Device Manager.
  3. Expand Display adapters.
  4. Look for your NVIDIA graphics card.

For example, you might see:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

or:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

Write down the model if you’re planning to download the driver manually.

Method 1: Update NVIDIA Drivers Using the NVIDIA App

For most users, the NVIDIA App is the easiest way to update NVIDIA graphics drivers.

NVIDIA describes the NVIDIA App as its companion software for gamers and creators and provides it as a way to keep NVIDIA drivers up to date.

Step 1: Open the NVIDIA App

Open the Start menu, search for:

NVIDIA App

and launch it.

If it isn’t installed, you can download it from NVIDIA.

Download NVIDIA App and Drivers

Step 2: Open the Drivers Section

Once NVIDIA App opens, select Drivers.

The application will display information about your currently installed driver and available driver updates.

Step 3: Check for Updates

If a newer driver is available, you’ll see an option to download it.

Click Download.

Wait while NVIDIA App downloads the driver package.

Step 4: Install the Driver

After the download finishes, select the available installation option.

Follow the instructions displayed by NVIDIA App to complete the installation.

Your screen may briefly flicker or turn black while the graphics driver is being replaced. This is generally normal during a display-driver installation.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

After installation, restart your computer if requested.

You should now be running the updated NVIDIA graphics driver.

Enable Automatic Driver Downloads

NVIDIA App can also automatically download newly released drivers.

According to NVIDIA, this option can be enabled from the application’s driver settings. When a new driver becomes available, the application can download it automatically, after which you can install it.

This is useful if you don’t want to manually check NVIDIA’s website whenever a driver is released.

Method 2: Manually Download the Latest NVIDIA Driver

If you don’t want to install NVIDIA App, you can download the graphics driver directly from NVIDIA.

This method also gives you more control over exactly which driver you install.

Step 1: Visit NVIDIA’s Driver Download Page

Open NVIDIA’s official driver page:

NVIDIA Driver Downloads

Step 2: Select Your Graphics Card

Use NVIDIA’s manual driver search to select the appropriate information for your GPU.

Depending on the page and GPU, you’ll need to identify information such as:

  • Product Type
  • Product Series
  • Product
  • Operating System
  • Download Type
  • Language

For example, if you have an RTX-series gaming GPU, make sure you select the correct GeForce series and exact graphics-card model.

Step 3: Choose Game Ready or Studio Driver

NVIDIA provides two major driver choices for GeForce users.

Game Ready Driver (GRD)

Choose this if you primarily use your computer for gaming. NVIDIA says Game Ready Drivers prioritize support for major games, including new releases, patches, and DLCs.

Studio Driver (SD)

Choose this if your priority is creative applications such as:

  • Video editing
  • Photography
  • Animation
  • Graphic design
  • Livestreaming
  • Other creative workflows

NVIDIA says Studio Drivers undergo extensive testing with major creative applications with an emphasis on reliability. Both Game Ready and Studio drivers are WHQL certified.

Step 4: Download the Driver

After selecting the correct options, search for the driver.

Check that the listed GPU and Windows version match your computer, and then download the driver.

Step 5: Run the Installer

Open the downloaded NVIDIA driver installer.

Allow Windows to run the application if User Account Control appears.

The installer will extract the required files and check your system for compatible NVIDIA hardware.

Step 6: Install the Driver

Follow the NVIDIA installation wizard.

When installation finishes, restart the computer if necessary.

Your NVIDIA GPU should now use the newer driver.

Method 3: Perform a Clean NVIDIA Driver Installation

If you’re experiencing graphics problems, simply installing a newer driver over the existing one may not always be enough.

In these situations, you can use NVIDIA’s clean installation option when it is offered by the driver installer.

A clean installation resets NVIDIA driver settings and installs fresh driver components.

This can be useful when troubleshooting:

  • Driver installation errors
  • Game crashes
  • Display problems
  • Strange graphics behavior
  • Driver settings problems
  • Issues after changing GPUs

Steps

  1. Download the correct driver from NVIDIA.
  2. Run the downloaded installer.
  3. Wait for the compatibility check to complete.
  4. Choose the custom installation option when available.
  5. Continue to the installation-options screen.
  6. Select Perform a clean installation if the installer provides the option.
  7. Continue with the installation.
  8. Wait for the driver to finish installing.
  9. Restart Windows.

Remember that a clean installation can reset NVIDIA-specific settings you previously customized.

Method 4: Update NVIDIA Drivers Through Windows Update

Windows Update can also provide hardware drivers, including graphics drivers.

Microsoft states that Windows can automatically install recommended hardware drivers and also provides optional driver updates through Windows Update.

Windows 11

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Windows Update.
  3. Click Advanced options.
  4. Select Optional updates.
  5. Expand Driver updates if available.
  6. Look for an NVIDIA graphics driver.
  7. Select the driver.
  8. Click Download & install.
  9. Restart your computer after installation.

Microsoft notes that optional driver updates aren’t automatically installed, so you may need to select them manually.

Windows 10

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  3. Open Windows Update.
  4. Click Check for updates.
  5. Select View optional updates if the option appears.
  6. Open Driver updates.
  7. Select the NVIDIA driver if available.
  8. Click Download and install.
  9. Restart Windows.

Should You Use Windows Update for NVIDIA Drivers?

Windows Update is convenient, particularly when you’re simply trying to get a working compatible graphics driver.

However, if you specifically want NVIDIA’s latest gaming or creator-focused driver, checking NVIDIA directly or using NVIDIA App is generally preferable because NVIDIA’s own service lets you choose between its current Game Ready and Studio releases.

Method 5: Update NVIDIA Drivers Using Device Manager

Windows Device Manager also includes an option to search for drivers.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + X.
  2. Select Device Manager.
  3. Expand Display adapters.
  4. Right-click your NVIDIA graphics card.
  5. Select Update driver.
  6. Click Search automatically for drivers.
  7. Allow Windows to search for an available driver.
  8. Install the driver if one is found.
  9. Restart your computer.

If Windows tells you that the best driver is already installed, that doesn’t necessarily mean NVIDIA has no newer driver available. You can still check NVIDIA’s official driver-download page manually.

How to Check Your Current NVIDIA Driver Version

There are several ways to determine which NVIDIA driver is currently installed.

Using Device Manager

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Double-click your NVIDIA GPU.
  4. Open the Driver tab.
  5. Look at Driver Version and Driver Date.

You can compare this information with the driver available from NVIDIA.

Using NVIDIA App

Open:

NVIDIA App → Drivers

The application displays your installed driver and lets you check for newer releases.

What to Do If NVIDIA Drivers Won’t Update

If the NVIDIA driver installation fails, try these solutions.

1. Restart the Computer

Restart Windows and run the NVIDIA driver installer again. A pending Windows or driver operation can sometimes interfere with another installation.

2. Make Sure You Downloaded the Correct Driver

Verify:

  • GPU model
  • Windows version
  • Driver type
  • System compatibility

Download drivers only from NVIDIA’s official website.

Official NVIDIA Drivers

3. Install Windows Updates

Open:

Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

Install pending Windows updates and restart the PC.

Microsoft recommends keeping Windows updated and provides additional driver updates through Windows Update.

4. Try a Clean Installation

Download the NVIDIA driver manually and use the clean-installation option if available.

This can help when the existing driver installation or configuration is causing problems.

5. Check Available Storage Space

NVIDIA driver packages can be large. Make sure your system drive has sufficient free storage before attempting the installation again.

6. Reinstall the NVIDIA Driver

If updating repeatedly fails, uninstalling/reinstalling the NVIDIA graphics driver may resolve damaged driver components.

After removing the problematic driver, restart Windows and install a fresh driver downloaded directly from NVIDIA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update my NVIDIA graphics driver?

The easiest method is to open NVIDIA App → Drivers, check for an available driver, download it, and install it. You can also manually download drivers from NVIDIA’s official website.

Can Windows Update update NVIDIA drivers?

Yes. Windows Update can install recommended hardware drivers, while additional drivers may appear under Optional updates → Driver updates.

Should I choose Game Ready or Studio Driver?

Choose Game Ready Driver primarily for gaming and Studio Driver primarily for creative applications and workflows. NVIDIA says both can run games and creative applications.

Why isn’t Windows finding the latest NVIDIA driver?

Windows Update and Device Manager don’t necessarily offer NVIDIA’s newest release immediately. If you want to check NVIDIA’s currently available drivers, use NVIDIA App or NVIDIA’s official driver-download page.

Can updating an NVIDIA driver improve FPS?

Sometimes. Driver releases can contain optimizations and fixes for particular games. However, you shouldn’t expect every driver update to noticeably increase FPS in every game.

Is NVIDIA App required to update drivers?

No. NVIDIA App is convenient, but it isn’t your only option. You can manually search for and download the correct graphics driver directly from NVIDIA’s official driver website.

Conclusion

Updating NVIDIA drivers in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is straightforward, and there are several ways to do it. For most people, NVIDIA App is the simplest option because it automatically identifies the installed GPU and makes new Game Ready or Studio drivers easy to download and install.

Users who prefer more control can download the driver manually from NVIDIA, while Windows Update and Device Manager provide additional ways to obtain compatible graphics drivers.

If you’re experiencing crashes, black screens, graphical glitches, or failed driver updates, downloading the correct driver directly from NVIDIA and performing a clean installation can also be useful.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you’re installing a driver designed for your exact NVIDIA GPU and Windows version.