Sometimes, updating your NVIDIA drivers doesn’t go quite as planned. Maybe after an update, your games stutter, the screen flickers, or there’s some weird glitch no one in the forums seems to fix right away. Downgrading to an older driver version can often clear up these issues. The basic idea is pretty simple: you uninstall what’s there now, then load up a previous version that’s more stable for your setup. Sounds straightforward, but trust me, Windows and NVIDIA make it a little more complicated than it should be. So, navigating Device Manager, deleting drivers properly, and getting the right version from the NVIDIA site — it all matters.
Doing this can help stabilize your graphics performance and prevent frustration. Just keep in mind, it’s not always foolproof. In some cases, you might need to tweak a few more settings or try a different driver version. But at least, you’ll have a decent shot at getting things back to normal without diving into complete reinstall hell.
How to Downgrade NVIDIA Drivers on Windows 10
Clear-cut steps to roll back your GPU driver
Here’s how I’ve done it successfully a couple of times — no rocket science, but worth mentioning because Windows and NVIDIA’s driver installs can be unpredictable. The goal is to remove the current driver completely, then install an older, more stable version. Should fix some of those weird graphical bugs or performance dips you might be seeing after an update. Just be aware — sometimes, Windows or the driver itself keeps remnants behind, so patience and careful steps matter.
Find your way into Device Manager
- Right-click on the Start button and choose Device Manager. Or press Win + X and pick it from the menu. It’s the hub for managing hardware, including your graphics card.
- Once inside, locate Display adapters. Your NVIDIA card will be listed there.
This is the place where you control what Windows thinks your hardware is doing, so it’s the first stop for driver stuff.
Remove the current driver with a clean slate
- Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card listed under Display adapters.
- Choose Uninstall device. When prompted, check the box for Delete the driver software for this device or similar. This helps Windows forget about the old driver completely—otherwise, remnants might cause conflicts after reinstalling a different version.
- Hit Uninstall and wait for the process to finish. Sometimes, Windows will suggest a restart right away; if not, go ahead and restart manually.
On some setups, this doesn’t always get rid of everything right away, so if you still see weird artifacts or drivers sticking around, you might have to use a dedicated driver cleaner tool — but for now, let’s keep it simple.
Reboot — because of course Windows needs a breather
- Give your PC a fresh start. After uninstalling, a quick restart helps clear out odd leftovers. Believe it or not, this step prevents some headaches during the install process.
Grab the older driver from NVIDIA’s website
- Head over to the NVIDIA Driver Download page. It’s usually the most reliable source for drivers, and never from some third-party site unless you’re desperate.
- Fill out your GPU info — select your product type (GeForce/Quadro), series, and specific model. Then look for an older driver version that’s known to be stable on your system.
- Download the installer (usually a.exe file).Make sure you pick the correct OS version (Windows 10 64-bit, etc.).
Install that older driver and pray it sticks
- Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts. Usually, choosing a custom install and selecting Perform a clean installation helps avoid conflicts with previous driver remnants.
- Let it run; your system might restart a few times. If it prompts you to reboot, do it. Sometimes, things go smoother if you run the installer as administrator (Right-click > Run as administrator).
Done. After this, your GPU should be running that previous driver version, hopefully fixing any issues you had after the latest update. It’s weird how sometimes the newest driver might cause issues on one setup but be fine on another. No perfect solution, but this tends to work well enough.
Tips for Downgrading NVIDIA Drivers on Windows 10
- Always, always back up your system — a restore point or a full image if possible. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Make a note of your current driver version before you start — just in case you want to revert if things go sideways.
- Double-check compatibility: some older drivers might not support your new Windows updates or hardware features.
- Scan forums or Reddit for user reports about stability with specific driver versions, especially if you’re trying something older than a few months.
- If your card supports it, consider using NVIDIA’s Driver Rollback feature in the driver options, but in my experience, a manual uninstall usually does a better job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can downgrading drivers harm my computer?
In general, no — but like anything with drivers, there’s a small risk of conflicts or issues. It’s why a backup or restore point is smart before you try this.
What if the older driver doesn’t fix my problem?
Then it’s time to look into other causes—software conflicts, Windows updates, or even hardware issues. Sometimes, rolling back just solves part of the puzzle.
How do I check what driver I’m currently running?
Go back into Device Manager, right-click your NVIDIA card, then choose Properties. Under the Driver tab, you’ll see the version listed there. Easy enough.
Is downloading drivers from third-party sites risky?
Absolutely. Stick to NVIDIA’s official site or trusted sources. Malware or corrupted files are a bad idea, especially when drivers are involved.
Can I go back to the latest drivers after downgrading?
Yep, just download the newest driver from NVIDIA and reinstall it using the same clean install method. No worries there.
Summary
- Head into Device Manager.
- Uninstall your current NVIDIA driver completely.
- Reboot your PC.
- Download the driver you want from NVIDIA’s site.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts for a clean install.
Wrap-up
Downgrading NVIDIA drivers can be a lifesaver when new updates break things unexpectedly. It’s not perfect, but it’s usually the fastest workaround for stubborn graphics issues. Just keep backups, pick the right driver, and don’t forget to restart. On some systems, this process feels a bit hit or miss, but more often than not, it does the trick. Hopefully, this helps someone avoid hours of frustration.