How to Update NVIDIA Graphics Driver on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 14, 2025

If you’re a gamer, video editor, or just someone who wants smooth performance, keeping your NVIDIA graphics driver up to date is a must. Drivers are like translators — they help Windows talk to your graphics card. Outdated drivers can cause crashes, performance issues, or even prevent your favorite games from running properly.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to update your NVIDIA graphics driver on Windows 11 — step by step, using multiple methods. Whether you prefer automatic updates or like doing things manually, I’ve got you covered.

Why Updating NVIDIA Graphics Drivers is Important

Let’s get this out of the way first — why bother updating drivers at all?

  • Better Performance: New drivers often improve FPS and game stability.

  • Bug Fixes: Outdated drivers can cause stutters, black screens, or crashes.

  • New Features: NVIDIA frequently adds support for technologies like DLSS, Reflex, and new CUDA versions.

  • Security Updates: Some driver updates patch vulnerabilities.

How to Check Which NVIDIA Driver Version You Have

Before updating, it’s good to know what driver version you’re currently running.

  1. Right-click on Desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.

  2. Go to Help > System Information.

  3. Look for the Driver Version field.

Alternatively, press Win + R, type dxdiag, press Enter, and check the Display tab.

Different Ways to Update NVIDIA Drivers

You can update your drivers in several ways:

  • Using GeForce Experience (automatic and easiest)

  • Downloading drivers manually from NVIDIA’s website

  • Using Device Manager in Windows

  • Through Windows Update (basic option)

Let’s go through each method step by step.

Method 1: Update Using NVIDIA GeForce Experience (Recommended)

This is the most popular and beginner-friendly method.

Step 1: Download and Install GeForce Experience

Step 2: Log In

  • Launch GeForce Experience and sign in with an NVIDIA, Google, or Facebook account.

Step 3: Check for Updates

  • Go to the Drivers tab.

  • Click Check for updates in the top right corner.

Step 4: Download and Install

  • If a new driver is available, click Download.

  • Choose Express Installation (recommended for most users) or Custom Installation (if you want to do a clean install).

Once complete, your drivers will be updated automatically.

Method 2: Manually Download from NVIDIA Website

If you prefer doing things manually (or don’t want GeForce Experience), follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to NVIDIA Driver Download Page

Visit the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page.

Step 2: Fill in Your GPU Details

  • Product Type: GeForce

  • Product Series: (e.g., GeForce RTX 40 Series, GTX 16 Series)

  • Product: Select your exact GPU model

  • Operating System: Windows 11 64-bit

  • Download Type: Game Ready Driver (GRD) or Studio Driver (SD)

  • Language: English

Step 3: Download and Install

  • Click Search > Download.

  • Run the installer and choose Express Installation.

Method 3: Update via Device Manager

This is a built-in Windows method, though it may not always give you the latest drivers.

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.

  2. Expand Display adapters.

  3. Right-click your NVIDIA GPU and select Update driver.

  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will look for drivers and install them if available.

Method 4: Update Through Windows Update

Windows Update sometimes delivers GPU drivers too.

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates.

  3. If a driver update is available, install it.

This method is usually slower than NVIDIA’s own updates, but it’s the most hands-off.

Method 5: Perform a Clean Installation

If you’re having problems with your GPU (screen flickering, crashes, artifacts), consider doing a clean install.

Using NVIDIA Installer

When installing manually, choose Custom (Advanced) > Check Perform a clean installation.

Using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)

For a truly fresh start:

  1. Download DDU from Wagnardsoft.

  2. Boot into Safe Mode.

  3. Run DDU and remove all NVIDIA drivers.

  4. Reboot and install the latest drivers manually.

Tips for a Smooth Driver Update

  • Close all running programs before updating.

  • Restart your PC after installation to avoid glitches.

  • If you’re a gamer, download Game Ready Drivers — if you use professional apps like Adobe Premiere, choose Studio Drivers for stability.

How to Roll Back a Driver If Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes, new drivers cause issues. Here’s how to roll back:

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Right-click your NVIDIA GPU > Properties.

  3. Go to Driver tab > click Roll Back Driver.

This will restore the previous version.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Installation Fails

  • Disable antivirus temporarily.

  • Make sure Windows is fully updated.

  • Try a clean installation.

Black Screen After Update

  • Boot into Safe Mode and roll back the driver.

  • Use DDU to remove drivers completely and reinstall.

Benefits of Keeping Drivers Updated

  • Stable gaming performance

  • Improved support for new games

  • Reduced crashes and screen tearing

  • Compatibility with new software and hardware

When Not to Update Drivers

Sometimes it’s okay to wait:

  • If everything is running perfectly and you don’t need new game optimizations.

  • If you’re on a stable production machine (video editing, 3D rendering) where stability is more important than new features.

Conclusion

Updating your NVIDIA graphics driver on Windows 11 is easier than you might think. The quickest way is to use GeForce Experience, which handles everything for you automatically. But if you prefer manual control, downloading drivers directly from NVIDIA’s website is just as effective.

Whichever method you choose, keeping your GPU drivers up to date ensures you get the best performance, security, and features from your system.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between Game Ready and Studio Drivers?
Game Ready Drivers are optimized for gaming performance, while Studio Drivers focus on stability and professional applications.

2. Do I really need GeForce Experience?
No — you can manually download drivers, but GeForce Experience makes the process much easier.

3. How often should I update my drivers?
Check once a month or whenever a major game release you play gets an update.

4. Can updating drivers cause issues?
Occasionally, yes — but you can roll back to the previous version if needed.

5. Do NVIDIA drivers update automatically?
Only if you enable automatic updates in GeForce Experience or rely on Windows Update.

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