Harriet Wetton
Users of NVIDIA graphics cards often encounter issues with newly updated drivers, leading them to consider reverting to an earlier version. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of how to roll back NVIDIA drivers effectively. By following these steps, you can resolve problems with your current driver installation and restore optimal performance to your system.
Let’s start by understanding what drivers are and their significance, then move on to the detailed steps of rolling back NVIDIA drivers.
What Are Drivers?
You have so many pieces of hardware connected to your computer. All from your mouse to your graphics card to your network card makes your computer run properly.
At the core of your system is the operating system, such as Windows, which oversees the operation of your computer. The operating system relies on drivers to recognize and interact with hardware. For example, your NVIDIA graphics card may be powerful, but without the proper driver, your operating system won’t understand its functions or capabilities.
Drivers serve as intermediaries, translating commands between the operating system and hardware. However, like all software, drivers are not perfect. They may contain coding errors or incompatibilities that lead to operational issues. When this happens, the hardware’s performance can be compromised.
Fortunately, manufacturers like NVIDIA regularly release driver updates to address bugs, improve compatibility, and enhance performance. However, new updates can occasionally introduce issues, making it necessary to learn how to roll back NVIDIA drivers to a previous stable version.
Problem faulty driver create
Faulty drivers can create a variety of issues that impact the performance and usability of your computer. Some common problems caused by problematic graphics card drivers include:
- Sluggish start-up and performance: Drivers that don’t function correctly can slow down your system.
- Graphical glitches: You may notice screen tearing or flickering due to faulty drivers.
- Inferior color quality: Images and videos may appear washed out or distorted.
- Weak resolution: The display resolution might not reach the optimal settings.
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): Faulty drivers are a common cause of this dreaded system crash.
- Periodic image stuttering: Gaming or video playback may suffer from interruptions.
- Low-quality graphics in games: You may experience subpar performance or incorrect rendering in visually demanding applications.
These issues highlight why knowing how to roll back NVIDIA drivers is essential.
Methods for how to roll back NVIDIA drivers
There are two primary methods for rolling back NVIDIA drivers:
- Using the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU), a dedicated utility for removing and reinstalling drivers.
- Reverting drivers via the Windows Device Manager, an in-built Windows tool.
Both methods help you return to a previously functional version of your NVIDIA driver, resolving performance issues and glitches.
Method 1 for how to roll back NVIDIA drivers: Using the Display Driver Utility
The first method to know how to roll back NVIDIA drivers is by using Display Driver Uninstaller, or DDU, a driver utility software that lets you remove all traces of NVIDIA, AMD, and INTEL display and audio drivers from Windows. Software Programs like DDU are useful when you cannot upgrade current drivers due to compatibility issues with the older installed version.
Step One: Download the Latest NVIDIA Driver
Visit a trusted software download site or NVIDIA’s official website. Use the manually find drivers option, which will require you to provide your graphics card model, operating system, and other details. Once you input the necessary information, a list of available driver versions will appear. Choose the version you want to roll back to and download it.
Step Two: Boot into Safe Mode and Use DDU
Restart your computer in Safe Mode to ensure no third-party processes interfere. Once in Safe Mode, launch Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove all traces of your existing NVIDIA graphics driver. This includes current and previous installations, ensuring a clean slate for the new driver.
Step Three: Install the Downloaded Driver
Run the downloaded driver’s executable file. During the installation process, select Custom (Advanced) and check the box for Perform a clean installation. This ensures old driver files are wiped out, and only the new version is installed.
Step Four: Restart Your PC
After installation, restart your computer to finalize the process. Then, test the applications or functions that previously had issues to confirm whether the rollback was successful.
Method 2 for how to roll back NVIDIA drivers: Using the Device Management Console
The Windows Device Manager offers a straightforward method to roll back NVIDIA drivers. It is particularly useful if you already have the desired driver version stored on your system.
Step One: Launch the Device Manager
Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter. This command opens the Device Manager. Alternatively, on Windows 8 and above, press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
Step Two: Locate the NVIDIA Driver
In the Device Manager window, expand the Display Adapters category. Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card and select Properties.
Step Three: Roll Back the Driver
Within the NVIDIA Properties window, navigate to the Driver tab. Click Roll Back Driver, and a confirmation dialog box will appear. Confirm your selection by clicking Yes.
Step Four: Restart Your System
Restart your computer to complete the rollback process. This ensures all changes are properly applied.
Step Five: Verify the Rollback
Test the tasks or applications that were previously causing issues. If the rollback resolved the problems, your system should now function without glitches.
Conclusion
Learning how to roll back NVIDIA drivers is a valuable skill for maintaining your computer’s performance. Whether you’re dealing with graphical glitches, sluggish performance, or severe system crashes, reverting to a previous driver version can resolve these issues and restore system stability.
Both methods outlined in this guide are effective, but using tools like DDU is often the safest approach for a clean rollback. By following these steps, you can eliminate driver-related problems and enjoy a smoother computing experience.
FAQs
What does rolling back a driver mean?
Rolling back a driver refers to reverting to a previous version to fix issues with the current driver.
When should I roll back my NVIDIA drivers?
You should consider rolling back when you experience problems like system crashes or performance degradation after a driver update.
What is the safest way to roll back NVIDIA drivers?
Using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for a clean rollback is the safest method.
Will rolling back NVIDIA drivers affect my system’s performance?
If the current driver is causing issues, rolling back to a stable version can significantly improve performance.
Can I revert to a specific version of NVIDIA drivers?
Yes, you can manually download and install a specific version from NVIDIA’s website.
