Resetting a graphics card solves several common problems with graphical errors and glitches. Here is how to restart or reset the graphics card in Windows.
Graphics glitches in Windows might occur seemingly out of nowhere. For example, if an application malfunctions or there are issues with graphics drives, you may have a blank black screen, screen jumping, an unresponsive screen, a pixelated gaming experience, and other issues. Graphics glitches and malfunctions are more likely if you’ve just upgraded the drive to a newer version.
Most of the time, Windows is intelligent enough to address graphics problems on its own. However, Windows may not always be able to address the problem. In some circumstances, you can reset the graphics card to resolve the issue. The good news is that Windows includes a way for resetting a graphics device.
This article explains how to restart or reset a graphics card in Windows 11 and 10 in three ways. Each method gets the job done. Follow the one you like.
Table of contents:
Reset graphics card with shortcut
Windows has had a hidden reset graphics card shortcut for a long time. The good news is that the shortcut allows restarting the graphics card without rebooting Windows. Here is the shortcut and how to use it.
Press the “Win + Ctrl + Shift + B” keyboard shortcut to reset the graphics card. When you press the keyboard shortcut, Windows will restart the graphics card. When that happens, the screen might flash a couple of times. It’s quite natural. The screen should reappear normally after a few seconds.
Disable and enable the graphics card
You can also disable and enable the graphics card to reset it. You can do this from the Device Manager.
- Open the power user menu with “Win + X.”
- Select the “Device Manager” option.
- Expand “Display adapters.”
- Right-click on the graphics card.
- Select the “Disabled” option.
- Click “Yes” when prompted.
- Right-click on the graphics card again.
- Choose the “Enable” option.
- With that, the graphics card is restarted.
- Close the Device Manager.
Restart Windows to restart graphics card
You can also restart Windows as an alternative. Rebooting Windows totally resets the graphics card and frequently solves many problems with it. Let me demonstrate how to restart Windows.
First, close all applications. Right-click the Start button on the taskbar and choose “Shut down and sign out > Restart.”
As soon as you do this, Windows will restart. The graphics card has been reset after rebooting.
A quick tip: When there is a problem, always restart the computer. Don’t shut down and turn it back again. Shutting down and turning it on is not the same as restarting because of the fast startup feature in Windows 10 and 11.
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That is all. It is that simple to restart a graphics card in Windows 11 and 10.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide to reset the graphics card.
If you are stuck or need some help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
