Rolling back NVIDIA drivers to a previous version can be useful if you’re experiencing issues after a recent driver update. Here’s a tips and tricks on how to do it:
Using Windows Device Manager:
Open Device Manager:
- Right-click on the Start menu.
- Select “Device Manager” from the context menu.
Navigate to Display Adapters:
- In the Device Manager, expand the adapters section.
- This will show your NVIDIA graphics card.
Properties:
- Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card.
- Choose “Properties” from the context menu.
Driver Tab:
- Click the Properties button on window, go to the “Driver” tab.
Roll Back Driver:
- Then go to click the “Roll Back Driver” button.
- If this button is greyed out, it means Windows does not have a previous driver version stored. In this case, you’ll need to manually download and install the older driver from NVIDIA’s website.
Follow the Prompts:
- Windows will ask why you are rolling back. Choose an appropriate reason.
Restart Your Computer:
- After the rollback is complete, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
Manually Downloading and Installing Older Drivers:
If the “Roll Back Driver” option is not available, or if you need a specific older version, you can manually download and install it:
Visit NVIDIA’s Driver Download Page:
- Go to the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page.
Find the Driver:
- Use the search criteria to find the driver for your specific NVIDIA product and operating system.
- You can find older drivers by clicking on “Beta and Older Drivers” or by searching in the “Driver Archive” section.
Download the Driver:
- Download the driver you want to revert to.
Install the Driver:
- Once finish your download section then open the downloaded file and then install it.
- During the installation, you might want to choose “Custom” installation and then select “Perform a clean install.” This can help prevent issues from leftover files from the newer driver.
Restart Your Computer:
- After installation, restart your computer.
Additional Tips:
- Backup: Before rolling back or updating drivers, it’s always a good idea to create a system restore point. This allows you to revert to the current state if anything goes wrong.
- Check Compatibility: Ensure the driver version you are rolling back to is compatible with your current version of Windows and your NVIDIA hardware.
- Reason for Rollback: Understand why you are rolling back. If it’s due to a specific game or application, check online forums or the software’s support page for advice, as there might be a simpler solution.
Rolling back drivers can solve compatibility issues, but it’s generally recommended to keep drivers up to date for the best performance and security.
