How can I troubleshoot graphics problems on Windows?

1. Check Device Manager

The first step to troubleshooting graphics problems on Windows is to check the Device Manager. This can be done by pressing the Windows key + X and then selecting “Device Manager” from the list of options. Here, you should find a category for Display Adapters which contains a list of graphics cards and adapters currently installed on the system.

2. Update Drivers
Once you’ve located the graphics card or adapter, you should see an option to update its drivers. If it is not current, then you should go to your computer’s manufacturer website and download the most recent version of the device driver. Sometimes this can fix graphics issues on its own, as out-of-date graphics drivers can often cause visual problems.

3. Rollback Drivers
Another way to troubleshoot graphics problems is to roll back drivers. This option is also located in the Device Manager, and it allows you to remove the current driver and revert to an earlier version if problems have recently started occurring. This may be useful if the graphics issue began immediately after installing the current driver, as it could suggest that the driver is at fault. Note that rolling back a driver could lead to more problems than it solves, so you should use this option with caution.

4. Try Different Video Ports
If you’re connecting your monitor to the graphics card with a cable, then it’s worth trying a different port just to rule out hardware issues. For example, if you’re currently using a DVI port, try switching to an HDMI port, or vice versa. This won’t always work, but it’s worth a shot if you’re stuck and don’t know what else to do.

5. Uninstall Problematic Applications
Sometimes certain applications can interfere with or even render certain graphics cards or GPUs inoperable. To diagnose this, try uninstalling any applications that are related to graphics, such as 3D imaging software, video editing software, and so on. If this fixes the problem, then you will need to either uninstall all of the applications or leave them and find a workaround.

6. Troubleshoot in Safe Mode
If none of the above options have solved your graphics problems, then you can try booting into Windows Safe Mode and then performing the same set of troubleshooting steps you took before (e.g., updating drivers, rolling back drivers, etc.). This may help, as the limited functionality of Safe Mode can help isolate the cause of the issue.

7. Reset Windows
Finally, if all else fails, then you can try resetting Windows. This will restore all of your settings to their default states, and it can often resolve graphics problems that no other method will solve. To reset Windows, go to Settings >Update & Security > Recovery, and then click the “Get Started” button under the Reset This PC section.