Experiencing screen freezes, glitches, or driver issues on your Windows 11 PC? Sometimes, restarting your graphics card (GPU) is the quickest way to fix display problems without rebooting your entire system.
In this guide, we’ll show you multiple ways to restart your graphics card in Windows 11, from using keyboard shortcuts and Device Manager to updating drivers and performing a full GPU reset.
🖥️ Quick Summary
| Method | Steps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Shortcut | Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B | Quick GPU reset for minor freezes |
| Device Manager | Disable and enable GPU | Fix driver issues without rebooting |
| NVIDIA/AMD Software | Restart GPU through control panel | Advanced GPU management |
| Restart PC | Full GPU and driver reset | Last resort for serious issues |
⚡ Pro Tip: Using a shortcut is usually the fastest way to restart your graphics card in Windows 11 without interrupting your workflow.
Why Restart Your Graphics Card?
Restarting the GPU can help with:
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🖼️ Screen freezes or black screens
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🕹️ Gaming crashes or stuttering
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🔧 Display driver errors
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💻 GPU not detected by Windows
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🎨 Graphic-intensive application glitches
It’s often faster than a full system reboot and less disruptive to your work.
Method 1: Use Keyboard Shortcut to Restart Graphics Card
Windows 11 includes a built-in shortcut to reset your graphics driver.
Steps:
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Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B simultaneously.
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Your screen may flash briefly or you’ll hear a beep.
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Windows will automatically restart the graphics driver.
✅ Result: Most minor GPU issues are fixed instantly. No need to reboot your PC.
🧠 Note: This works for Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD GPUs.
Method 2: Restart Graphics Card via Device Manager
For more control, you can disable and re-enable the GPU through Device Manager.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters.
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Right-click your GPU (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics, NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon) → choose Disable device.
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Wait a few seconds, then right-click again → Enable device.
✅ Result: Your GPU driver is restarted and reinitialized without rebooting Windows.
⚠️ Caution: Your screen may flicker or go black briefly during this process — this is normal.
Method 3: Restart GPU Using NVIDIA or AMD Control Panel
If you have a dedicated GPU, you can use vendor software to reset or update the graphics card.
For NVIDIA GPUs:
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Right-click the desktop → select NVIDIA Control Panel.
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Go to Help → System Information to verify driver status.
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Update drivers if needed or perform a clean installation via GeForce Experience.
For AMD GPUs:
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Open AMD Radeon Software from the system tray or start menu.
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Navigate to Settings → System → Software.
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Use the Factory Reset or Reset Graphics Settings option.
✅ Result: GPU settings are refreshed, which can solve performance or display issues.
Method 4: Restart Graphics Card by Restarting Windows Explorer
Sometimes, a full driver restart isn’t necessary — just restarting Windows Explorer can fix minor display glitches.
Steps:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Scroll to Windows Explorer → right-click → select Restart.
✅ Result: Your desktop, taskbar, and GPU driver interactions are refreshed.
💡 Tip: This is helpful if icons, taskbar, or display visuals are lagging.
Method 5: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Restarting the GPU might not be enough if your drivers are outdated or corrupted.
Steps to Update Drivers:
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Open Device Manager → Display adapters.
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Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
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Follow on-screen instructions.
Steps to Reinstall Drivers:
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Right-click GPU → Uninstall device → Check “Delete the driver software for this device.”
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Restart your PC.
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Windows will reinstall the GPU driver automatically.
✅ Result: Fresh driver installation often resolves recurring GPU issues.
Method 6: Restart Graphics Card by Restarting PC
If all else fails, a full system restart is the most reliable method.
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Save your work.
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Click Start → Power → Restart.
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Upon reboot, Windows reinitializes the GPU driver and hardware.
✅ Result: Any persistent GPU or display issues should be resolved.
Troubleshooting: Graphics Card Not Responding
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Screen goes black after restarting GPU | Driver crash | Update/reinstall GPU driver |
| GPU not detected | Disabled in Device Manager or BIOS | Enable GPU in Device Manager or BIOS |
| Frequent crashes in games | Overheating or outdated drivers | Check temperature, update drivers, clean GPU |
| Windows 11 freezes | Corrupt system files | Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt |
⚡ Pro Tip: Keep your GPU drivers updated regularly to avoid frequent restarts.
How to Restart GPU from BIOS/UEFI (Advanced)
For hardware-level resets:
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Restart your PC → press BIOS key (often F2, F10, Delete, or Esc).
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Navigate to Advanced → Integrated Graphics / PCIe settings.
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Enable/Disable GPU → Save changes → Exit BIOS.
✅ Result: Forces a hardware-level reset of the GPU.
⚠️ Warning: Only attempt BIOS reset if comfortable with system firmware. Misconfiguration can prevent booting.
Tips for Smooth GPU Restart in Windows 11
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🔄 Always save your work before restarting GPU via Device Manager or shortcut.
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🧹 Ensure your GPU is free from dust and overheating.
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⚙️ Update drivers regularly using Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD official software.
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🖥️ Use keyboard shortcut Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B for minor freezes — it’s fast and safe.
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💻 Avoid running heavy apps while performing driver resets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does restarting the GPU delete any data?
No, it only reloads the driver. Your files and apps remain unaffected.
2. How often should I restart my graphics card?
Only when you experience screen freezes, glitches, or driver errors. Frequent unnecessary restarts aren’t needed.
3. Can I restart GPU without restarting Windows?
Yes, use Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B or Device Manager → Disable/Enable device.
4. Why is my screen black after restarting the GPU?
This can happen temporarily. If it persists, update or reinstall your GPU driver.
5. Does this work for both integrated and dedicated GPUs?
Yes. The methods described work for Intel integrated graphics and dedicated NVIDIA/AMD GPUs.
Conclusion: Restart Your Graphics Card Easily in Windows 11
Restarting your graphics card is an effective way to fix display problems without rebooting your PC. Using keyboard shortcuts, Device Manager, or vendor software can save you time and improve GPU performance.
Here’s what we covered:
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✅ Restart GPU with Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B
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✅ Enable/disable GPU in Device Manager
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✅ Use NVIDIA or AMD software for advanced control
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✅ Update/reinstall drivers for persistent issues
With these methods, your graphics card should be back to smooth, glitch-free operation in no time.