How to Fix Display Driver Crashes in Windows 11

A display driver crash is one of the most frustrating issues Windows 11 users face. One minute, you’re watching a video or playing a game, and the next, your screen freezes, flickers, or goes black. You might see the error message: “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered.” Sometimes, it happens once. Other times, it keeps happening again and again. Regardless of how often it occurs, it disrupts your work and drains your patience.

But don’t worry—display driver crashes are fixable. In this guide, you’ll learn what causes display driver crashes in Windows 11, how to diagnose the issue, and most importantly, how to fix it step by step.

What Causes Display Driver Crashes in Windows 11?

A display driver crash typically means your system’s graphics driver—whether from Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA—has stopped responding. Windows tries to reset it to restore functionality, but the process can fail or repeat. Here are some common causes:

• Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers

• Conflicts between GPU drivers and Windows updates

• Overheating or power supply issues

• Incompatible software (especially overclocking or monitoring tools)

• Faulty GPU hardware or RAM

• Improper settings in BIOS or power configuration

Understanding the cause helps narrow down the fix. Now, let’s walk through the solutions.

Step 1: Check for Windows Updates

Before diving into complex fixes, ensure your system is fully updated. Microsoft often releases compatibility patches for drivers and hardware.

1. Open Settings using Win + I

2. Go to Windows Update

3. Click Check for updates

4. Install all available updates and restart your PC

Sometimes, Microsoft includes display driver updates in these cumulative packages. If your crash is caused by a known issue, this step might solve it immediately.

Step 2: Update or Reinstall Your Display Driver

The most common cause of crashes is outdated or corrupt display drivers. Depending on your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel), you’ll need to update the driver properly.

Option 1: Use Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager

2. Expand Display adapters

3. Right-click your GPU and choose Update driver

4. Select Search automatically for drivers

This method works for minor updates but isn’t always reliable for major or custom updates.

Option 2: Use Manufacturer Tools
If you want more control and the latest optimized drivers, use the official software:

• NVIDIA: Install GeForce Experience

• AMD: Use Adrenalin Software

• Intel: Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant

These tools auto-detect your GPU and install the best-matched drivers for Windows 11.

Option 3: Perform a Clean Driver Install
Sometimes, a clean installation works better than an update. To do this:

1. Download and install Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

2. Boot into Safe Mode

3. Run DDU and remove all existing GPU drivers

4. Restart and install fresh drivers from the GPU manufacturer’s website

This ensures all corrupted files or conflicting settings are removed.

Step 3: Adjust Power Settings

Aggressive power-saving settings can throttle the GPU, especially on laptops. To avoid this:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options

2. Select High performance or Ultimate performance

3. Click Change plan settings

4. Set both Turn off display and Put computer to sleep to longer intervals or “Never”

5. Click Change advanced power settings

6. Under PCI Express > Link State Power Management, set to Off

Improper power management often causes the GPU to enter low-power states and fail to wake up, triggering crashes.

Step 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Apps

Apps like browsers, video editors, or even Office software use hardware acceleration to improve performance by offloading tasks to your GPU. If the GPU or driver is unstable, this feature can trigger crashes.

Disable hardware acceleration in Chrome or Edge:

1. Go to browser Settings

2. Search for hardware acceleration

3. Toggle it off

4. Restart the browser

Repeat the same for video editing or gaming software like OBS, Adobe Premiere, or Discord.

Step 5: Check for Overheating or Hardware Issues

If you’re gaming or using graphic-intensive applications, heat buildup can crash the display driver. Overheating can affect both the GPU and the CPU.

To monitor your system temperature:

• Use HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or HWiNFO

• Check GPU temps while idle and under load (gaming, rendering, etc.)

• Anything above 85°C regularly could cause instability

Tips to fix overheating:

• Clean your PC’s fans and vents

• Ensure proper airflow

• Consider reapplying thermal paste on GPU/CPU

• Avoid overclocking unless you’re certain it’s stable

Also, check if your power supply unit (PSU) is delivering enough wattage for your GPU. A weak or aging PSU can fail under load, especially with newer GPUs.

Step 6: Scan for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can interfere with the display driver. Use Windows built-in tools to fix them.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

2. Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter

3. After it finishes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

4. Restart your PC

These scans repair or replace damaged Windows components that might affect the GPU or its driver.

Step 7: Roll Back Recent Windows or Driver Updates

Sometimes, a recent update causes conflicts. If the crashes started after a Windows update or new GPU driver:

1. Open Device Manager

2. Right-click your display adapter

3. Select Properties > Driver tab

4. Click Roll Back Driver (if available)

To roll back a Windows update:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History

2. Click Uninstall updates

3. Find the most recent one and uninstall it

Rolling back may temporarily fix the issue until a more stable update is released.

Step 8: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

Bad RAM can mimic GPU crashes. To check your memory:

1. Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, press Enter

2. Choose Restart now and check for problems

The system will reboot and scan your RAM for errors. If issues are detected, consider replacing the RAM stick.

Step 9: Reset or Reinstall Windows

If all else fails and display driver crashes persist across multiple fixes, you may be dealing with a deeper software conflict or corruption.

Before reinstalling, try a reset:

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery

2. Choose Reset this PC

3. Select Keep my files and follow the prompts

If resetting doesn’t help, consider backing up your data and doing a clean install of Windows 11 using a bootable USB.

Final Thoughts

Display driver crashes in Windows 11 can be caused by a wide range of issues, from simple driver conflicts to hardware-level failures. The good news is that with the right steps, most of these problems can be fixed without replacing your hardware. Start with basic updates, move to driver reinstallations, and fine-tune your power and software settings. If needed, perform deeper diagnostics for temperature and memory errors.

Dealing with this issue requires patience, but you don’t have to live with it. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or just a regular user, keeping your drivers and hardware in good health ensures a smoother, crash-free experience. If you need help choosing specific tools or commands for your system, feel free to ask.