Can out of date graphics card drivers cause issues?

Hi Jacob,

New/Updated drivers can absolutely resolve those issues. New drivers come out to fix issues, and to make your hardware work better with new OS’s, updates, etc.

I’d entertain updating them before you think about replacing your card.

Hope this helps, let me know!

• C

Can the issues I've been experiencing be because of out of date drivers ...

It's not the date of the driver that matters. You could be using the most up to date driver and it still won't work properly.

What matters is whether (or not) the manufacturer supports your graphics card on Windows 10. 

If the manufacturer supports Windows 10, that means they have a driver that works properly with Windows 10.

Usually that means the manufacturer has written a driver specifically for Windows 10, but not necessarily. Sometimes the manufacturer's testing shows the Windows 8.1 driver (or the driver for some earlier version of Windows) works on Windows 10 as well.

If you have a driver that the manufacturer says works on Windows 10, you're good to go. If there's more than one driver for Windows 10, the newer one is not necessarily the better one.  Aside from OS support, graphics drivers are updated to fix specific problems, usually problems with specific games. If you don't have that problem, you won't gain anything with the newer driver.

But why wouldn't you want the newer driver anyway Isn't newer better? Not with software.

Hi Jacob. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Yes, update the driver first. Then if that doesn't help try older drivers and other things I include in this step:

1. Update the Display driver from the PC or Display adapter maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag - from the sticker on the PC.

While there check also for newer chipset, BIOS, network, sound, USB3 and other drivers, comparing to the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

if this doesn't give you the latest or ideal driver for what you need, compare it to the driver offered by the Intel driver update Utility here: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/...

or the Nvidia Update utility here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx?lang=e...

or the AMD autodect utility here: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/P...

For Display issues one fix that is working is to Roll back or Uninstall the Driver on the Display Device > Driver tab, restart PC to reinstall driver.

You can also try older drivers in Device Manager > Display device > Driver tab > Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick.

Then you will know you've tried everything in addition to Windows Update drivers.

2. Before replacing the Video card I'd try reinstalling it, carefully removing it after discharging residual power (unplug cord, hold power button down), blow out debris in slot, reinsert it slowly until it's snugly seated, reconnect any cables.
3. If the card is within a year of purchase you can have their Support help you troubleshoot it for possible replacement.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Hi all, thank you for all the replies!

Sorry I haven't been able to reply sooner - exams are creeping up on me.

I have updated my display driver from the NVIDIA website, did some windows updates, and did some research. 

If anyone's interested in looking into other cases of the same issue i'm having, they're described fairly well in these posts:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/345490-31-crashing-gaming-black-screen-sound-loop

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/761397-crash-black-screen-and-looping-sound/

https://www.overclock.net/forum/297-general-processor-discussions/1542294-black-screen-looping-sound-crash.html

I have very similar issues to these people where I may be playing a game, or simply on the desktop screen, and my display will crash while the sound loops and I'm forced to shut my computer down with the power-off button.

It seems to be a bit better (less frequent) after doing some driver updates, however it still continues to happen. 

Thank you all for your help again!