How to Update Nvidia Drivers

This article explains how to update Nvidia drivers for both Windows 10 and macOS.

How Do I Update My Nvidia Drivers on Windows 10?

There are a few ways to update Nvidia drivers on Windows 10; the best method is to download the appropriate driver directly from the Nvidia website and install it manually.

You can also use Windows Device Manager, the Nvidia GeForce Experience app, or rely on Windows Update to provide driver updates. Downloading the driver manually is the best option. The Device Manager method doesn’t always find the latest driver; the GeForce option can fail to install your driver with little explanation; and waiting for Windows Update isn’t viable if you’re trying to resolve a driver problem.

Here’s how to update your Nvidia drivers in Windows 10:

1. Navigate to the Nvidia driver download site.

2. Enter your Nvidia card information and click Search.

3. Locate the latest driver, and click Download.

4. Click Download again.

5. Once the driver is downloaded, run the installer and select Save as.

6. Leave the path as it is unless you have a specific reason to change it, and click OK.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the driver.

Why Can’t I Update My Nvidia Drivers on Windows 10?

When you can’t update your Nvidia drivers on Windows 10, you could be dealing with a handful of different problems. Some of them are easy to fix, and others are more difficult.

Here are the most common reasons you can’t update Nvidia drivers on Windows 10:

• Trying to install the wrong driver: Ensure the driver you’re installing is designed for your video card and operating system. It has to match the exact video card, or it won’t work. In some cases, there may be a conflict between a brand new driver and your specific hardware configuration.
• Installing through GeForce experience: For various reasons, downloading and installing driver updates through GeForce Experience tends to fail. If you’re trying to use GeForce Experience, close it and try downloading the driver from Nvidia manually through their website.
• Try using Safe Mode: Boot your computer into Safe Mode, remove the driver, and install the new driver.

How Do I Update My Nvidia Drivers on macOS?

Under most circumstances, you shouldn’t have to update your Nvidia drivers manually on your Mac. Apple bundles the latest Nvidia drivers with system updates, so you should get the latest and best drivers via system update as they become available. Since Macs have much fewer hardware configurations than Windows PCs, it’s easier to create drivers that will work without hardware conflicts or bugs, and relying on automatic updates is usually safe.

If you’re experiencing a driver issue and there’s nothing available via system update, you can download Mac Nvidia drivers and install them manually. However, before you do, it’s essential to back up your system. Since this isn’t the recommended method of updating Nvidia drivers, you may experience unforeseen issues, so you’ll want to have a system backup ready just in case you need it.

Here’s how to manually update Nvidia drivers on Mac:

1. Navigate to the Nvidia driver download site.

2. Enter the exact product type, series, and product name of your graphics card, select your macOS version, and click Search.

3. Check the Release Notes section to see if your Mac is listed. If it isn’t, the driver won’t be compatible. If your Mac is listed, click Download.

4. Double click the installer when it finishes downloading, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Should I Update My Nvidia Drivers?

The drivers that allow your Nvidia graphics card to function are updated and tweaked over time to account for different hardware configurations, optimization, and performance. When an Nvidia graphics card is still relatively new, it will receive regular driver updates that boost performance. Unfortunately, that changes as a card gets older, and eventually, most driver updates end up fixing bugs and hardware conflicts instead of improving performance.

Since newer cards can benefit a lot from updated drivers that improve performance, it’s a good idea to keep your driver up to date if you have a recent card. When updates slow down and primarily address bug fixes, it’s a better idea to stick with the driver you have unless you start having problems. 

While updating an Nvidia driver will typically result in improved performance or the same level of performance with more stability, there’s always a chance that an update will result in a new bug or hardware conflict. That’s why you sometimes have to roll back a driver after installing it. It’s also why you may want to refrain from updating your Nvidia drivers unless you’re experiencing an actual problem.

It's all true for both Windows PCs and Macs, but there is a slight difference. Macs equipped with Nvidia cards automatically receive the latest Nvidia drivers bundled with system updates. You can update your Nvidia driver manually on a Mac, but you shouldn’t unless you’re experiencing a problem.