Reinstalling NVIDIA graphics card drivers on Windows 11

Step-by-step guide with two methods (GeForce Experience & manual)

When does a new installation make sense?

Reinstalling the graphics card driver can resolve many issues. Typical causes include:

• No image after waking from power saving mode

• Black screen after startup

• Screen flickers, freezes or remains dark

• Games show graphic errors or crash

• External monitors are not recognized

• NVIDIA Control Panel does not start

• Errors in Device Manager (e.g. Code 43 or Code 31)

• Errors occur after Windows or driver updates

• After changing the graphics card

• If you have problems after previous driver installations or remnants

Which method is right for me?

Method 1 (recommended): Reinstall with GeForce Experience

With NVIDIA's GeForce Experience software, you can automatically detect, download, and reinstall drivers.

Requirements:

• GeForce Experience is installed:
  Download at https://www.nvidia.com/de-de/geforce/geforce-experience/

• Administrator rights

Step by step:

Step 1: Open GeForce Experience
Open the Start menu and search for "GeForce Experience." Launch the program.

Step 2: Switch to the “DRIVERS” tab
At the top of the menu bar, you'll find the "DRIVERS" tab. Click on it.

Step 3: Check for available updates
If no driver is displayed, click “Check for updates” in the top right corner.

Step 4: Download drivers
If a new driver is found, a "Download" button will appear. Click it.

Step 5: Choose custom installation
After downloading, click on “Custom Installation”.

Step 6: Check “Perform a new installation”
Select the “Perform a clean install” option to remove all old driver remnants.

Step 7: Start installation and wait
The installation will begin. The screen may flicker briefly. Wait until the process is complete.

Step 8: Restart
After installation, a restart is recommended, even if it does not occur automatically.

Method 2: Manual installation via Device Manager and the NVIDIA website

If GeForce Experience doesn't work or you prefer a manual method, you can also download and install the driver yourself.

Requirements:

• Internet connection

• Administrator rights

• Optional: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for complete uninstallation

Step by step:

Step 1: Open Device Manager
Right-click on the Windows Start menu and select “Device Manager.”

Step 2: Identify graphics card
Click on "Graphics Cards" to view your NVIDIA graphics card, for example:
“NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090”

Step 3: Uninstall the driver
Right-click on the NVIDIA card and select “Uninstall device.”
Additionally, select the “Delete driver software for this device” option if available.

Step 4: Restart your PC
Restart to make sure the old driver has been removed.

Step 5: Find the right driver on the NVIDIA website
Go to the NVIDIA driver page:
https://www.nvidia.de/Download/index.aspx

Example for an RTX 5090:

• Product type: GeForce

• Product series: GeForce RTX 50 Series

• Product: GeForce RTX 5090

• Operating system: Windows 11 64-bit

• Language: German

• Download type: Game Ready Driver (GRD) for gaming PCs or Studio Driver (SD) for workstations, depending on the application

Step 6: Download drivers
Click "Search," then "Download." Save the .exe file and run it.

Step 7: Choose custom installation
During installation, select “Custom Installation” and activate “Perform a Clean Install”.

Step 8: Complete the installation
Follow the instructions in the installation wizard and reboot after completion.

Optional: Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)

If you want to perform a particularly clean reinstallation, you can perform a complete removal with DDU before installing the new driver:

1. Download DDU at https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

2. Boot into Safe Mode

3. Completely remove NVIDIA drivers

4. Restart and continue with method 1 or 2