[FIXED] How to Update NVIDIA Graphics Drivers the Right Way on Windows 10/11

It’s always crucial, especially as a gamer, to learn how to update the NVIDIA graphics driver. The good news is that NVIDIA (and even AMD) have made it easy to upgrade your drivers. 

Beyond that, there are reliable third-party programs that make it far simpler to update your graphics drivers. 

If you’re experiencing any unusual behaviors, graphical problems, or a dip in performance, keep reading! I’ve got the perfect solution for you! 

Here’s how to update NVIDIA drivers on Windows 10 and 11!

What Is the Best Time to Update NVIDIA Drivers?

You should ideally update NVIDIA drivers whenever the updates are available. You wouldn’t want to miss out on hotfixes for certain GPU problems, new features, and improved general performance.

However, it’s difficult to remember to check for updates, especially if GeForce Experience isn’t installed. The program is crucial because it alerts you whenever NVIDIA releases new GPU drivers.

So, always remember to update your drivers after doing the following:

• Reinstalling and upgrading Windows;
• Restoring Windows to a previous date;
• Installing new GPU hardware.

You should also check for driver updates whenever you notice performance drops and disruptive glitches.

Why Update NVIDIA Drivers?

Updating your NVIDIA drivers is crucial for several reasons. Let’s quickly go through them: 

• Improve your computer performance. As you may know, new driver versions are designed to work better with the latest apps and demanding PC games. This way, you can have the best experience. 

Related: How to Speed Up WIndows 10/11

• Prevent black screen of death. Experiencing the dreaded BSOD is no fun. It doesn’t come with any error message, making it difficult to diagnose. Updating your NVIDIA drivers can fix the issue.
• Get new features and updates. The updates NVIDIA releases come with new improvements and features that can support new technologies and make them more compatible with new games. 
• Fix bugs and other related issues. If you don’t update NVIDIA drivers, it can lead to various bugs and problems, like screen flickering. 

Also read: How to Fix No Suitable Graphics Card Found Error?  

In the next section, we’ll show you how to update the graphics driver of the NVIDIA graphics card!

How to Check if Your Driver Is Up to Date

The best way to confirm whether you have the latest NVIDIA drivers is by attempting to update your current driver. You can always run any of the programs we’ll be discussing below to confirm.

However, going through your GPU manufacturer’s website and checking your current driver version is another option.

You can check your graphics card’s current version by going through Device Manager. Here’s how:

• Open the Start menu, search for “Device Manager,” and open the program.
• Go to the Display adapters section and right-click your NVIDIA graphics card.
• Select Properties and go to the Drivers tab.
• You should see your driver version and date of release under the Driver tab.

You can go to NVIDIA’s website, select your GPU and Windows version, and search to check the latest driver release.

Also read: How to Check if My Drivers Are Up to Date on Windows 10 PC?

You’ll find out more as you continue reading.

How to Update NVIDIA Drivers on Windows 10/11

The process for installing driver updates on both operating systems is similar. You only have to specify your Windows version when downloading the driver from NVIDIA’s website.

Now, let’s cover the different ways you can update your driver.

Method 1: Update NVIDIA drivers from the website

This method involves going to NVIDIA’s website to select the best driver for your device. You have to use this option if you have not yet installed GeForce Experience, NVIDIA’s dedicated GPU software program.

Device Manager will also be unable to update your driver if you have not downloaded the software package.

These steps will show you how to download NVIDIA drivers, using my RTX 2060 notebook graphics card as an example:

• Head to the NVIDIA Driver Downloads webpage and click Driver at the top of the page.
• Next, select your GPU type, GPU series, specific NVIDIA GPU model, operating system, download type (Game Ready or Studio driver), Windows version and architecture, and language.

• Click the Search button after selecting your GPU and operating system details.

• The latest driver for your device will now appear.
• Click the Download button.
• Once the download completes, click it from your browser to run and install it.

That’s how to update NVIDIA drivers on Windows 11 and 10 using the manufacturer’s website. If it doesn’t work, proceed to the next method. 

Also read: The Ultimate Fix for Nvidia GeForce Experience Error

Method 2: Update NVIDIA drivers using Device Manager

You can also open the Device Manager window to find and install the driver you just downloaded. 

Here’s how to update drivers for the NVIDIA GPU using Device Manager: 

• Press the Win + R combo to open Run.
• Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter on your keyboard.

• Expand the Display adapters category immediately after the Device Manager window shows up.
• Right-click your NVIDIA GPU and select Update driver.
• Now, choose Search automatically for drivers to allow Windows to search your computer for the driver you downloaded and install it.

• Once Windows finds and installs the driver, restart your system for the changes to take effect.

Must read: How to Update Graphics Driver in Minutes [Windows 10/11]

Method 3: Update NVIDIA drivers using GeForce Experience

GeForce Experience serves as your NVIDIA GPUs auxiliary software. Its primary functions include: 

• keeping your drivers updated, 
• tuning your game configurations for peak performance, 
• optimizing the video card for video rendering, and 
• other graphics-related tasks.

The program automatically detects your GPU’s available updates, so you don’t have to search the Internet manually. 

Follow these steps if you have GeForce Experience:

• Launch GeForce Experience and click Drivers at the top of the window.
• Select Download if the program shows an available update.
• Choose between the following:

Express Installation: Allows GeForce Experience to install the driver with the recommended settings. Choose this option if you want to install the driver as is or do not know how to use the custom install method.

Custom Installation: Allows you to pick which components and features within the driver package to install. This option comes in handy if you’re sure that specific features, such as the audio driver, may cause conflicts. Still, you should only use the custom method if you know what you are doing.

• Allow the program to complete the installation.
• You should now see a summary of the installation once it’s complete.

• Restart Windows.

Enable automatic driver downloads

While GeForce Experience will always notify you when driver updates are available, it will not download them by default. 

But the program can automatically download the drivers after release, and you can install them whenever you choose. 

I like to keep the automatic download option turned on so I get to install the driver whenever I get the notification, instead of starting the download process and waiting for it to complete.

Follow these steps:

• Launch GeForce Experience.
• Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner.

• Next, scroll to the Downloads section at the bottom of the page and check the box for Automatically download driver updates and let me choose when to install.

• Restart the application.

Have this answered your question, “How to update my NVIDIA drivers?” If not, go to the next method.

See this: How Do I Check My Graphics Card on Windows 10? 

Method 4: Use Auslogics Driver Updater

Auslogics Driver Updater is a third-party application designed to update any Windows device driver, not just your GPU driver. 

The tool automatically detects and fetches official updates for outdated and corrupted drivers. It can also run scheduled updates and alert you whenever new drivers are released.

I enjoy the backup and restore features the most since they allow me to roll back from problematic updates to previously working drivers.

Here’s how to update the graphics driver for your NVIDIA GPU using Auslogics Driver Updater:

• Download and install Auslogics Driver Updater.
• Click the Start scan button to start scanning your computer for outdated and problematic drivers.

• The tool will now begin the scan to search for available updates.
• You should now see a list of devices whose driver updates are available.
• Click the Update drivers button to start updating them.

You can also use the scheduler to set the frequency for update checks. The Back up and Restore tabs allow you to back up working drivers so that you can restore them in the future.

Related: Auslogics Driver Updater: New Drivers in One Click!

Method 5: Use OEM software to update NVIDIA drivers

Most OEMs provide different specialized device drivers for their systems.

These updates are often delivered through dedicated programs, such as MSI’s Driver & App Center and Dell’s Update Application, and driver download webpages.

The following screenshot shows the latest available NVIDIA driver for my laptop as of the time of writing

Visiting an OEM’s website involves entering the computer’s serial number or make and model to find drivers. However, dedicated applications automatically detect PC specifications and help download drivers.

That said, these methods do not guarantee the latest graphics drivers, as PC manufacturers do not always keep up with NVIDIA’s update frequency.

Method 6: Update NVIDIA drivers using Windows Update

Windows Update is usually used for Microsoft and OS updates. However, it can update certain types of outdated drivers. 

That said, Windows Update can’t search for specific updates, like a new graphics driver. 

Windows 11 

Here’s how to update NVIDIA drivers on Windows 11 using Windows Update: 

• Go to the Settings app and click on Windows Update in the left menu. 

• Click Check for updates and install any software or driver updates.

Windows 10

If you want to know how to update NVIDIA drivers on Windows 10, follow the steps below: 

• Open the Start menu and select Settings. (It’s the gear icon). 
• Then, click Update & Security. 

• When the window opens, choose Check for updates and check if there are any updates available. If there are no updates, you’ll have to wait until an update is ready.

How to Update NVIDIA Drivers: Explained

That’s how to update your NVIDIA graphics drivers. Always remember to check for new drivers when you notice issues with FPS and performance. You should also keep Windows and other drivers updated, as they can also cause performance bumps.

Let us know if the methods above helped you successfully update your NVIDIA drivers.