A non-working display driver is usually caused by outdated, corrupted, or incompatible software that controls your graphics card. If your Display driver doesn’t work in Windows 10, you’ll learn which 14 common causes produce failures and follow step-by-step fixes — from simple restarts and safe rollbacks to clean reinstalls, BIOS checks, and when to suspect hardware.
You’ll be able to identify the root cause, apply the correct repair, and restore stable graphics without losing data.
Key Takeaway
The fastest reliable fix is to install a clean, manufacturer-supplied driver: uninstall the current driver (use Device Manager or DDU), download the latest compatible driver from the GPU maker (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel), and install it — if problems persist, check hardware, BIOS, and Windows system files.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Outdated GPU driver | Update to the latest driver from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel. |
| 2. Corrupted driver files | Uninstall driver and perform a clean reinstall (use DDU if needed). |
| 3. Wrong/incompatible driver | Install the exact driver for your GPU model and Windows 10 version. |
| 4. Windows Update broke the driver | Roll back driver or uninstall the problematic update. |
| 5. Driver conflicts with other software | Disable/uninstall conflicting software (overlays, recording tools). |
| 6. Display adapter disabled | Re-enable the adapter in Device Manager. |
| 7. Third-party overlays/acceleration conflicts | Disable hardware acceleration and overlays in apps. |
| 8. GPU hardware failure or overheating | Check temps, clean fans, test with another system or GPU. |
| 9. Faulty or loose cable/monitor | Replace cable or test with different monitor/port. |
| 10. Outdated BIOS/chipset drivers | Update BIOS and motherboard chipset drivers. |
| 11. Power management settings | Set Power Plan to High performance and disable PCIe power saving. |
| 12. Corrupted Windows system files | Run sfc /scannow and DISM to repair system files. |
| 13. Multiple GPUs misconfigured | Set preferred GPU in BIOS/Windows and update both drivers. |
| 14. Safe Mode or driver signing enforcement | Boot normally or disable driver signature enforcement temporarily. |
Detailed Fixes for “Display driver doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Outdated GPU driver
Why it causes the problem:
Manufacturers release driver updates to fix bugs and maintain compatibility. An old driver can crash, fail to initialize, or produce artifacts.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager) and expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your GPU and choose Properties > Driver to view the version/date.
- Visit the GPU manufacturer website:
- Download the driver matching your GPU model and Windows 10 (32/64-bit).
- Install the downloaded package and reboot.
Notes:
- Use the manufacturer utility (GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, Intel Driver & Support Assistant) to simplify updates.
2. Corrupted driver files
Why it causes the problem:
Driver files can get corrupted by failed updates, disk errors, or malware, preventing the driver from loading.
Step-by-step solution:
- Boot into Windows normally.
- Open Device Manager, right-click the GPU and select Uninstall device. If present, check Delete the driver software for this device.
- Optional but recommended: use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to remove all traces:
- Download DDU from the official release page.
- Reboot into Safe Mode (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > 4).
- Run DDU and choose Clean and restart.
- Reinstall the latest driver from the GPU maker and reboot.
Tips:
- DDU is powerful and safe when used correctly; follow the tool’s instructions.
3. Wrong/incompatible driver
Why it causes the problem:
Installing a driver for a different GPU model or Windows version causes mismatches and can prevent the driver from starting.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify your exact GPU: open Device Manager, right-click GPU > Properties > Details > Hardware Ids, or run dxdiag (Win + R, type dxdiag).
- Download the correct driver from the manufacturer, matching the model and Windows 10 build.
- Install and reboot. If Windows previously installed a generic Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, uninstall it first and then reinstall the correct driver.
Note:
- For laptops, prefer drivers from the laptop vendor (Dell, HP, Lenovo) because they include hotkeys and power profiles.
4. Windows Update broke the driver
Why it causes the problem:
Windows Update can install a generic or beta driver that conflicts with your GPU’s recommended driver.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history to see recent driver updates.
- To roll back a driver: Device Manager > Display adapters > right-click GPU > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
- If Roll Back is disabled, uninstall the driver and reinstall the driver you downloaded from the manufacturer.
- Prevent Windows from auto-installing drivers temporarily:
- Run gpedit.msc (if available) and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Do not include drivers with Windows Updates and set to Enabled.
- Alternatively, use the wushowhide.diagcab tool from Microsoft to hide specific updates.
Tip:
- Always create a restore point before major Windows updates.
5. Driver conflicts with other software
Why it causes the problem:
Screen recording tools, overlays (Steam/Discord), or overclocking utilities can hook into graphics drivers and cause crashes.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify recently installed apps (Overlay, MSI Afterburner, Discord, OBS).
- Disable overlays in those apps (e.g., Discord: Settings > Overlay > Enable in-game overlay toggle off).
- Temporarily uninstall overlay/monitoring tools:
- Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, Uninstall.
- Reboot and test the display driver.
Note:
- Re-enable one app at a time to find the culprit.
6. Display adapter disabled
Why it causes the problem:
If the adapter is disabled in Device Manager, Windows won’t load the driver for it.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters, right-click the adapter and select Enable device (if available).
- If it is enabled but not functioning, right-click and select Scan for hardware changes.
- Restart Windows.
Tip:
- If the device shows a yellow triangle, check Properties > General for error codes and search Microsoft’s error code database.
7. Third-party overlays/hardware acceleration conflicts
Why it causes the problem:
Some apps enable hardware acceleration or use GPU APIs that conflict with drivers, leading to crashes or no-display events.
Step-by-step solution:
- For browsers: disable hardware acceleration in the browser settings (e.g., Chrome: Settings > Advanced > System > Use hardware acceleration when available).
- For apps (e.g., Office, Skype), find and disable hardware acceleration in their settings.
- Update those apps to the latest version or uninstall if issues persist.
- Reboot and check stability.
Note:
- Disabling acceleration can reduce performance but helps isolate driver issues.
8. GPU hardware failure or overheating
Why it causes the problem:
Physical defects, failing VRAM, or overheating can stop the GPU from initializing or cause driver crashes.
Step-by-step solution:
- Monitor GPU temps with HWMonitor, GPU-Z, or manufacturer tools. Normal desktop GPUs often idle around 30–40°C.
- If temps are high (>85°C under load), clean dust from fans and heatsinks and improve case airflow.
- Reseat GPU in PCIe slot and ensure power cables are firmly connected.
- Test the GPU in another PC or try another GPU in your PC to isolate hardware failure.
- If the GPU is defective, contact the vendor for repair or RMA.
Tip:
- Remove overclocks and try stock settings before blaming hardware.
9. Faulty or loose cable/monitor
Why it causes the problem:
A damaged HDMI/DisplayPort/DVI cable or a failing monitor can mimic driver failures.
Step-by-step solution:
- Check the cable connection and try re-plugging at both ends.
- Test with a different cable and/or a different monitor.
- Try different output ports (HDMI, DisplayPort).
- Boot with only one display connected if you have multiple monitors.
Notes:
- Cheap or long cables sometimes fail at high resolutions/Hz; try a higher-quality cable.
10. Outdated BIOS/chipset drivers
Why it causes the problem:
Motherboard BIOS and chipset drivers control PCIe, power, and device enumeration — outdated firmware can break GPU initialization.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify motherboard model: Win + R, type msinfo32, note BaseBoard Product.
- Visit your motherboard vendor’s support page and download the latest BIOS and chipset drivers.
- Follow vendor instructions precisely to flash the BIOS (usually a USB-based update or vendor app).
- Install chipset drivers in Windows, then reboot.
Warnings:
- Flashing BIOS is risky; ensure power stability and follow instructions.
11. Power management settings
Why it causes the problem:
Aggressive power-saving can suspend PCIe devices or reduce GPU functionality.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Control Panel > Power Options and set the plan to High performance.
- Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
- Expand PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set to Off.
- For laptops, ensure Graphics power plan in GPU control panel is set to Maximum performance.
Tip:
- On laptops, plug in the charger while diagnosing graphics issues.
12. Corrupted Windows system files
Why it causes the problem:
Corrupted system files or Windows components can prevent drivers from loading correctly.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues remain, run:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- After DISM completes, rerun sfc /scannow and restart Windows.
Note:
- These commands repair system files used by drivers and Windows services.
13. Multiple GPUs misconfigured (integrated vs discrete)
Why it causes the problem:
Systems with integrated and discrete GPUs can default to the wrong adapter or have driver conflicts.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings to set the preferred GPU for an app (choose High performance for discrete GPU).
- In Device Manager, verify both adapters are present and have correct drivers.
- If needed, change primary GPU in BIOS by setting Primary Display to PEG or PCIe.
- Install drivers for both GPUs (Intel for integrated, NVIDIA/AMD for discrete) and reboot.
Tip:
- Laptops: use your vendor’s graphics switching software or Windows settings.
14. Safe Mode or driver signature enforcement issues
Why it causes the problem:
In Safe Mode or when driver signature enforcement blocks unsigned drivers, the display driver won’t load normally.
Step-by-step solution:
- Boot normally (not Safe Mode) to allow full driver loading: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, choose normal boot.
- If you must install an unsigned driver temporarily, boot with driver signature enforcement disabled:
- From Startup Settings, choose Disable driver signature enforcement (temporary).
- For permanent drivers, obtain signed drivers from the manufacturer.
Warning:
- Disabling driver signature enforcement reduces security; use only for troubleshooting.
Outils supplémentaires et ressources
- DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller): Use for complete driver removal when standard uninstall fails; run in Safe Mode.
- Diagnostic tools: dxdiag for DirectX issues, Event Viewer (Windows Logs > System) to review driver-related errors.
- GPU monitoring: HWMonitor, GPU-Z, MSI Afterburner to check temperatures and clocks.
- Manufacturer support: NVIDIA/AMD/Intel forums and support pages for driver release notes and known issues.
- Backup: Create a Windows System Restore point or full backup before major driver or BIOS changes.
When to contact support:
- If the GPU fails in multiple systems or shows physical damage, contact the vendor for RMA.
- If BIOS updates fail or you get persistent system instability after firmware changes, contact motherboard support.
FAQ
Q: Can Windows 10’s default “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter” be used long-term?
No — the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is a fallback with very limited features and poor performance; install the proper GPU driver for full functionality and performance.
Q: How can I prevent display driver issues in the future?
Keep GPU and chipset drivers up to date, avoid beta drivers unless needed, create restore points before updates, and avoid unnecessary overlays or heavy overclocking.
Q: Is DDU safe to use and when should I use it?
DDU is safe when used as directed; use it when repeated installs fail, or files remain after standard uninstall. Always run DDU in Safe Mode and have a stable internet connection for reinstalling drivers.
Q: My display driver fails after every Windows Update — what now?
Set Windows Update not to include drivers (via Group Policy or wushowhide tool), roll back the driver, and install the manufacturer driver. Report the issue to Microsoft and the GPU vendor.
Q: How do I collect logs to show support?
Use dxdiag (save all information), check Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System for error codes, and gather GPU driver version from Device Manager > Properties > Driver.
Conclusion
Most display driver issues in Windows 10 are fixed by reinstalling the correct, up-to-date driver and ensuring system firmware and cables are healthy. Follow the steps above to identify whether the cause is software, configuration, or hardware. If the problem is persistent, seek vendor support, especially for suspected hardware defects; remember the key fix: cleanly reinstall the manufacturer driver to resolve Display driver doesn’t work in Windows 10.
