A graphics card, or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is an additional microprocessor, installed in a computer that is specifically tasked with displaying multimedia objects such as images, videos, and animations on the screen. Due to its capability of handling content involving graphics and visuals, it is crucial for gaming, video editing, and other graphical activities.
Resetting graphics cards in Windows might fix a number of problems, encompassing freezing, stutters, wrong settings, and performance issues. Whether you are trying to fix something that went wrong or just want to go back to the default video settings, you can reset your graphics card in many ways.
This article explains the several methods for resetting your graphics card and enhancing the visual performance of your computer.
Methods to Reset Your PC’s Graphics Cards
Depending on the kind of reset you want to do, there are a few different ways to reset your computer’s graphics card. Below is a breakdown of the primary methods:
1. Quick Reset with Keyboard Shortcut (for Windows)
- If you are experiencing a problem with your screen such as freezing or non-displaying graphics, use Ctrl + Shift + Windows key + B to reset your pc graphics card.
- This will immediately bring up your graphics driver’s configuration, and your screen will now go black for a while before returning to normal.
2. Reset Graphics Driver From Device Manager
You can use Device Manager to reset or update your graphics driver by doing the following:
➢ Method 1:
- Open Device Manager: Right-click on My Computer and select Properties or in the start screen, type in Device Manager.
- Locate Your Graphics Driver: In the Device Manager, click on Display Adapters and expand it. Here you will find your graphics card name listed according to your graphic card manufacturer company such as Intel, Nvidia, or AMD.
- Disable the Driver: Open your Device Manager and right-click on the Graphics Driver of your computer Select Disable for the driver. Any prompts that are initiated have to be confirmed to Proceed.
- Re-enable the Driver: Right-click again and choose Enable device.
➢ Method 2:
- Expand Display Adapters after opening Device Manager.
- Remove the Driver:
- To remove your graphics driver, right-click on it and choose Uninstall device.
- Verify by checking the box labeled “Delete the driver software for this device (if available).” Your screen may momentarily flicker or become dark.
- Restart your computer: The graphics driver will be reinstalled upon restarting. A compatible driver will be immediately reinstalled by Windows.
- Driver Update (Optional): By right-clicking the graphics driver in Device Manager, selecting Update driver and then selecting Search automatically for drivers, you can update your graphics driver after reinstalling.
3. Reset Graphics Driver From Task Manager
- Firstly, start the Task Manager by using Shift + Ctrl + Esc keys in a sequence.
- In the new window, which appeared in your case, go to the File and find the “Process” tab.
- Now, in the next window, you will be on the left side panel, under the Apps, click on the Background Processes.
- In the new window that emerged, try to search for the files with the names “ AMD” or “NVIDIA” or the brand of the graphic card on your computer.
- You will find “End Task” when you pull your mouse pointer over the file that seems to be under processing on the right side and above the file. It will even clean your driver’s will. Wait for your computer screen to flash. When you are done deleting all the files the assignment is completed.
4. Factory Reset for AMD or NVIDIA Graphics Cards
- For NVIDIA: Click on Restore Defaults after opening the NVIDIA Control Panel and selecting Manage 3D Settings.
- For AMD: click Restore Factory Defaults after opening AMD Radeon Settings and selecting Settings.
5. BIOS/UEFI Reset (if necessary)
To go further in the reset you can reset your BIOS or UEFI by getting into the BIOS, generally by pressing F2, Del, or F10 after powering on the PC and then choosing Restore Defaults or Reset to Factory Settings options. This may reset overclocking settings or other graphics-related settings that are inside the user interface.
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How to Reset Your Mac PC’s Graphics Card?
On a Mac, you can reset or refresh the graphics settings and drivers by using some basic system management and reset techniques as updating or reinstalling drivers. The graphics card on Mac doesn’t work since Mac doesn’t allow direct access to the graphic drivers as it is the case with Windows. Here are some ways to reset the graphics system on a Mac:
Method 1: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
Display and graphics settings are among the many lower-level operations managed by the System Management Controller (SMC).
- Choose the Shut Down option from the Apple menu.
- For MacBooks with non-removable batteries, reset the SMC as follows:
- Simultaneously press the Power button and Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard.
- Turn on your Mac after simultaneously releasing all the keys.
➢ Regarding Mac Desktops:
- Unplug the power cord from the Mac.
- Turn on your Mac after waiting 15 seconds and plugging it back in.
- Resetting the SMC will resolve a lot of graphics problems.
Method 2: Boot in Safe Mode
Certain system caches that may be the source of graphical problems can be cleared using Safe Mode.
- Turn off your Mac.
- Press and hold the Shift key as soon as your Mac turns on to enter Safe Mode.
- When the login screen appears, let go of the Shift key.
- Check to see if your graphics problems have been fixed after logging in. After that, restart your Mac as usual.
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Benefits of Resetting Your PC’s Graphics Card
Resetting your PC’s graphics card offers several benefits, particularly when facing performance or display issues.
- Fixes Display Glitches: Resetting can solve problems such as screen flickering, black screen, or other graphic residues resulting in unstable settings.
- Improves Performance: To improve stability and frequently boost speed in graphics-intensive jobs like gaming or video editing, a reset can eliminate unnecessary custom configurations.
- Clears Driver Errors: Graphics drivers can build up mistakes or clashes as time passes They can be reset to rectify crashes or lags by reinstalling or elating the driver settings of the device.
- Restores Optimal Settings: Returning to the power settings can enhance the graphic quality and responsiveness of the system, in cases where custom settings or overclocking have been performed.
- Helps with Compatibility: There can be times when, due to an upgrade in new software or a few updates, a computer has a problem recognizing the graphics card properly, and thus, by resetting it, you can avoid such problems in the future.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, remember that the process of resetting their graphics card is a basic one and can be effective in improving the look of your PC and making it run much more smoothly. Resetting the graphics card settings of your PC is a simple solution that can efficiently solve several display problems. Above mentioned options can help to reset the driver and make the visuals run smoothly, no matter if it is done with a simple driver reset or with a reinstallation.
