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How to Fix Display Driver Crashes on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Display driver crashes on Windows 11 can be frustrating and disruptive. These crashes often cause your screen to flicker, freeze, or even go black temporarily. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to fix these issues without needing advanced technical skills.

This article will guide you through simple, step-by-step solutions to resolve display driver crashes. Each method is explained clearly to help you understand why it matters and how to implement it.

By following these instructions carefully, you can get your Windows 11 device back to a smooth and stable state.

Let’s begin with a quick note before diving into the fixes.

Quick Note Before You Start

Before attempting any troubleshooting, make sure of the following:

  • Backup your important files. Although these steps are safe, it’s always best to have a backup in case unexpected issues arise.
  • Check for Windows updates. Sometimes, Microsoft releases fixes that can resolve driver problems automatically.
  • Know your graphics card model. You can find this by typing Device Manager in the Start menu, expanding Display adapters, and noting the name.
  • Close all running programs. This helps prevent interference while updating or reinstalling drivers.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

This may sound obvious, but a simple restart can clear temporary glitches that cause display driver crashes. When you reboot, Windows reloads the driver files fresh, which often fixes minor issues.

To restart, click on the Start menu, select the power icon, and choose Restart. After the system restarts, check if the problem persists.

Step 2: Update Your Display Driver Automatically

Outdated or incompatible drivers are one of the most common causes of crashes. Updating your driver ensures it works well with Windows 11.

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Find and expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for the latest driver online and install it.
  5. Once done, restart your PC.

This method is simple and safe because Windows downloads verified drivers suitable for your hardware.

Step 3: Roll Back to a Previous Driver

If the crashes started after a recent driver update, rolling back to the previous version can help. Sometimes new drivers have bugs that cause instability.

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Driver tab.
  4. Click Roll Back Driver (if available) and follow the prompts.
  5. Restart your PC after the rollback completes.

If the “Roll Back Driver” button is greyed out, it means there is no previous driver to revert to, so try the next step.

Step 4: Reinstall the Display Driver Manually

Reinstalling the driver removes any corrupted files and installs a clean version.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click your graphics card under Display adapters and select Uninstall device.
  3. In the confirmation box, check Delete the driver software for this device if available, then click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
  5. If Windows does not reinstall the driver, download the latest driver manually from your graphics card manufacturer’s website (such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and install it.

This process ensures you have a fresh driver installation, which can resolve underlying corruption issues.

Step 5: Adjust Graphics Settings

Sometimes, certain graphics settings can cause instability. Lowering settings like hardware acceleration or refresh rate can help.

  • Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
  • Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
  • Check the Refresh rate and try lowering it to a standard value like 60Hz.
  • Also, open your graphics card control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings) and reduce hardware acceleration or other high-demand features.

These changes reduce the load on your GPU and can prevent crashes if your hardware struggles with certain settings.

Step 6: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Tools

Corrupted system files can cause display driver errors. Windows provides built-in tools to scan and fix these files.

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. It will automatically fix detected issues.
  4. Next, run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  5. Restart your PC after all commands complete.

These tools repair Windows system files that may impact driver stability.

Step 7: Check for Overheating or Hardware Issues

Excess heat or faulty hardware can cause your display driver to crash. Make sure your PC is well-ventilated and not overheating.

  • Clean dust from vents and fans.
  • Ensure your PC is placed on a hard, flat surface.
  • Use monitoring software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to check GPU temperatures.

If temperatures are too high (typically above 85°C), consider improving cooling or consulting a technician.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my display driver keep crashing on Windows 11?

Common reasons include outdated or corrupted drivers, incompatible updates, overheating, or hardware problems.

Is it safe to update my graphics driver manually?

Yes, but always download drivers from the official manufacturer’s website to avoid malware or wrong versions.

Can Windows updates cause display driver crashes?

Sometimes, new Windows updates may conflict with existing drivers. Rolling back drivers or waiting for updated drivers often resolves this.

What if I don’t know my graphics card model?

You can find it in Device Manager under Display adapters, or by typing dxdiag in the Run dialog and checking the Display tab.

Will reinstalling Windows fix display driver crashes?

Reinstalling Windows can fix deep system issues but should be a last resort after trying all driver-related fixes.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and the display driver still crashes, consider the following options:

  • Contact your PC or graphics card manufacturer’s support. They may have specific fixes or replacement options.
  • Visit the official Microsoft support page: https://support.microsoft.com/windows
  • Check community forums: Websites like Microsoft Community or your GPU brand’s forums can provide useful advice.
  • Consider professional hardware diagnostics. There might be a failing graphics card or other hardware component.

Conclusion

Display driver crashes on Windows 11 are common but usually fixable with simple steps. Start by restarting your PC and updating your drivers automatically. If problems persist, roll back or reinstall your display driver to fix corruption or compatibility issues.

Adjusting graphics settings and running system repair tools can also improve stability. Always keep your system cool and updated to prevent hardware-related crashes.

If none of these methods work, seeking professional help or official support is the best next step.

By carefully following these instructions, you can enjoy a smoother and more reliable Windows 11 experience without display driver interruptions.

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