Should I restart PC after Graphics driver update?

[Braiboo99]

Like I would with any other driver should I restart my computer after updating graphics driver through geforce experience?

[_I_]

yes, for all changes to take effect

but its best to use ddu in safe mode, then clean all amd/nvidia/intel gpu drivers, and disable windows driver updates
then reboot and install the correct driver, and reboot again

[Braiboo99]

引用自 _I_：

yes, for all changes to take effect

but its best to use ddu in safe mode, then clean all amd/nvidia/intel gpu drivers, and disable windows driver updates
then reboot and install the correct driver, and reboot again

Thank you for the response, I don't pause driver updates through windows but it does not take very long for geforce to update the driver could this have consequences?

[_I_]

windows often grabs incorrect drivers for mobo and other hardware
it grabs generic ones that 'work' but never correct for full functionality

gpu drivers rarely need to be updated, esp for older gpus, newer drivers add more features for new gpus that older ones do not support

[r.linder]

Any time you update a driver you should restart so that the effects will take effect. If you're concerned about potential issues arising from the update, you should make a restore point immediately before installing said driver, just in case.

[plat]

I guess it doesn't hurt to restart. But it doesn't appear to be necessary like it once was. I just updated to v. 551.23 and Device Manager shows this latest driver version in Display Adapters/Driver without my having to restart the PC. I update the driver manually, over the top from the desktop and without GeForce Experience.

You can look it up online, there are a few posts about it. Some recommend it, some don't feel it's necessary. I mean: if it was, you'd be prompted by the UI to do so. It's really up to whoever and what he/she feels comfortable doing.

If GeForce Experience tells you there's a new driver, then it should be fine to proceed. It *always* takes Microsoft longer to channel any new drivers thru its update service. If you're comfortable w/GFE, why not just keep using it?.

[Braiboo99]

引用自 plat：

I guess it doesn't hurt to restart. But it doesn't appear to be necessary like it once was. I just updated to v. 551.23 and Device Manager shows this latest driver version in Display Adapters/Driver without my having to restart the PC. I update the driver manually, over the top from the desktop and without GeForce Experience.

You can look it up online, there are a few posts about it. Some recommend it, some don't feel it's necessary. I mean: if it was, you'd be prompted by the UI to do so. It's really up to whoever and what he/she feels comfortable doing.

If GeForce Experience tells you there's a new driver, then it should be fine to proceed. It *always* takes Microsoft longer to channel any new drivers thru its update service. If you're comfortable w/GFE, why not just keep using it?.

Thank you all for answering my questions over the past few days. I will be awarding everybody with steam points to say thank you.

[Shaggin'Wagon]

引用自 _I_：

yes, for all changes to take effect

but its best to use ddu in safe mode, then clean all amd/nvidia/intel gpu drivers, and disable windows driver updates
then reboot and install the correct driver, and reboot again

None of that is required. Also rebooting isn't required either. That ended with Windows 7. Any computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11 can install and update video drivers without restarting the computer. Rebooting it is NOT necessary at all. Also there is no need to use safe mode, or ddu or any of that if you're just upgrading to a new driver version. Just run the installer from geforce experience and when it's done go play games and have a happy fun day. Nothing else is necessary.

[Shaggin'Wagon]

引用自 r.linder：

Any time you update a driver you should restart so that the effects will take effect. If you're concerned about potential issues arising from the update, you should make a restore point immediately before installing said driver, just in case.

Do note that this user actively spreads false on purpose in the steam forums. What they wrote is not necessary at all. With Windows 10 and Win11 we DO NOT have to reboot after updating video drivers.

[Braiboo99]

引用自 Shaggin'Wagon：

引用自 r.linder：

Any time you update a driver you should restart so that the effects will take effect. If you're concerned about potential issues arising from the update, you should make a restore point immediately before installing said driver, just in case.

Do note that this user actively spreads false on purpose in the steam forums. What they wrote is not necessary at all. With Windows 10 and Win11 we DO NOT have to reboot after updating video drivers.

Ok but would it cause problems if I did?

[r.linder]

引用自 Shaggin'Wagon：

引用自 r.linder：

Any time you update a driver you should restart so that the effects will take effect. If you're concerned about potential issues arising from the update, you should make a restore point immediately before installing said driver, just in case.

Do note that this user actively spreads false on purpose in the steam forums. What they wrote is not necessary at all. With Windows 10 and Win11 we DO NOT have to reboot after updating video drivers.

So you're just going to stalk me on other discussions now to spread hate and misinformation now? What was that about derailing?

It's general knowledge that you should restart after updating drivers because continuing as is can result in functionality issues until you do update, and it's only seamless for Nvidia drivers if you're using GeForce Experience, which you don't need or want on your system because it's unnecessary bloatware.

[r.linder]

引用自 Braiboo99：

引用自 Shaggin'Wagon：

Do note that this user actively spreads false on purpose in the steam forums. What they wrote is not necessary at all. With Windows 10 and Win11 we DO NOT have to reboot after updating video drivers.

Ok but would it cause problems if I did?

Depending on the driver that's updated, there can be performance issues or instability until you reboot. It's not like it takes long, there's no reason not to.

[_I_]

引用自 Shaggin'Wagon：

引用自 _I_：

yes, for all changes to take effect

but its best to use ddu in safe mode, then clean all amd/nvidia/intel gpu drivers, and disable windows driver updates
then reboot and install the correct driver, and reboot again

None of that is required. Also rebooting isn't required either. That ended with Windows 7. Any computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11 can install and update video drivers without restarting the computer. Rebooting it is NOT necessary at all. Also there is no need to use safe mode, or ddu or any of that if you're just upgrading to a new driver version. Just run the installer from geforce experience and when it's done go play games and have a happy fun day. Nothing else is necessary.

nope
drivers that deal with how windows handles cpu commands, need to be reloaded to fully function
not possible without a reboot

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes I don't know why Nvidia stopped telling the user to restart after a gpu update or even after a clean install. This is a must to do.

Whenever it's a major driver like chipset or gpu, always reboot after the install completes. When it's some minor like lan, WiFi, Audio you are usually fine to where a reboot usually is not needed.

[plat]

I do not second-guess NVIDIA and how it handles the installation of its products. I mean: that would be ridiculous. If NVIDIA tells me to reboot, I do it. If not, I don't. And it doesn't.

I mean: I started with Windows 8.1 and driver installation is so incredibly not this fraught, terrifying thing it was back in the day.

So again: if one wants to restart after installing the graphics driver, fine. Take that extra step if you want. But I'm satisfied if NVIDIA tells me it's completed the installation without further action needed.

[Shaggin'Wagon]

引用自 Braiboo99：

Ok but would it cause problems if I did?

Nope! Nothing wrong at all. You can reboot if you want to but it's NOT a requirement. If a reboot was needed then the nvidia installer would tell you to reboot after it was done installing. If the nvidia driver installer does not prompt you for a reboot then you don't have to reboot. It's that simple.