GuidesError FixesFixed: Nvidia Display Driver Failed To Start

Fixed: Nvidia Display Driver Failed To Start

Learn to fix the Nvidia display driver issue by updating the GPU drivers, running the SFC scan, and more.

“Display Driver Failed To Start” is a display error that appears on a Windows PC when the graphics card driver malfunctions. It may lead to screen blackouts, game crashes, or distorted visuals on your computer. Luckily, there are various ways to sort out the error, such as running the SFC scan and updating the display drivers.

Key Takeaways
  • The display driver error indicates some problem with the Nvidia graphics card driver or the graphics card. 
  • It may fail to start due to technical abnormalities, malware attacks, or using outdated Windows or driver versions on your PC. 
  • You can fix the error by performing SFC and DISM scans and restarting or updating the graphics card driver.

Method Difficuly Rating

Run SFC And DISM Scan
Rated: 2/10

Restart The Graphics Card Driver
Rated: 3/10

Update The Nvidia Display Driver
Rated: 4/10

Error Code Message
Display Driver Failed To Start (Image By Tech4Gamers)

You will see the following error message:

Error Message: Display driver failed to start; using Microsoft Basic Display Driver instead. Check Windows Update for a newer display driver.

Run SFC AND DISM Scans

The System File Checker (SFC) searches for corrupt or missing files and repairs them with the correct version. Meanwhile, Deployment Image Servicing And Management (DISM) can solve problems with the Windows update or installation.

Running these checks rules out any glitches or errors on your computer that may affect the graphic card driver’s operation and can help fix the display driver’s failed-to-start error. Running the SFC scan assisted several users in fixing this problem on the Windows forum. The steps below will help you run the SFC scan:

  1. Launch Command Prompt: Type “cmd” in the “Search Bar” > Launch the “Command Prompt in Administrator Mode.”
    Run Command Prompt
    Run Command Prompt As Administrator (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  2. Run SFC Scan: Execute the command “sfc/ scannow” > Wait for the scanning to complete.
  3. Enter The Codes: Enter the following codes one by one:
    "dism/online/cleanup-image /checkhealth."
    
    "dism/online/cleanup-image /scanhealth."
    
    "dism/online/cleanup-image /restorehealth."

Restart The Graphics Card Driver

The graphics card driver may develop temporary glitches or bugs that disrupt its functioning. Hence, restarting will refresh the driver and remove any corrupt data within it. Restarting the graphics driver has resolved this issue for many other Windows users on the Microsoft Community forums. Here are the steps to do it:

  1. Go To Display Adapters: Right-click the “Windows” symbol on the “Taskbar.” > Select “Device Manager” from the menu > Navigate to “Display Adapters” and expand it.
    Open Device Manager
    Go To Display Adapters (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  2. Disable And Re-enable Display Driver: Right-click on the “Nvidia Display Driver” > “Disable” the driver from the sub-menu > Wait for a minute and “Enable” it.
    Disable Display Driver And Re-enable It
    Disable Display Driver (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Update The Nvidia Display Driver

Using older versions of the display driver can cause frequent game crashes, screen freezes, and other graphics-related issues on your computer. Update the driver from the official Nvidia website using these steps. Many users on the Nvidia forum were able to fix the issue with this method. These are the steps to update the Nvidia display drivers:

  1. Go To Nvida.com: Head to Nvidia.com > Select your Nvidia Graphics Card Series and Product Type > Hit the “Search” button.
    Search Driver On The Website
    Search For Latest Driver (Image By Tech4Gamers)

    Important: If an update is available for your graphics card, you will see a “Download” button and additional information about the update on your screen. 

    Click The Download Button
    Download And Install Driver (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  2. Update Driver: Download the driver on your PC > Go to “Device Manager” > Right-click on “Nvidia Display Driver” > Select “Update Driver.”
    Update Display Driver
    Click Update Driver (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  3. Select Driver: Pick “Browse My Computer For Drivers” > Click “Let Me Pick From A List Of Available Drivers On My Computer” > Select the driver file from the results and press “Next.”
    Select The Second Option
    Select Browse My Computer For Drivers (Image By Tech4Gamers)
    Select The Mentioned Option
    Select Pick From List Option (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  4. Restart And Verify: After the updating is complete, restart the PC and check if the problem still occurs.

Final Words

You can use these fixes if your PC’s display driver fails to start. On a side note, create a system restore point whenever you make any changes to the PC. This way, you can take your PC one step backwards if it malfunctions after the modification.

Your reminder of the day to turn on system restore
byu/Liquos inwindows

If none of the fixes mentioned above resolves the error, you can suspect the issue lies within your Nvidia graphics card, and you may need to replace the card with a newer one or take the system to a technical expert so they can seek the underlying trouble.


WARNING: Before rolling back to a previously saved state, keep in mind that all your current system settings will be reverted to the settings before the system restore point was created.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Display Driver Failed To Start Error?

The error appears when the graphics card driver fails to function properly due to incorrect placement or technical faults.

How Can I Fix Display Driver Error?

You can restart the graphics card driver, update the driver from Nvidia’s website, and run SFC and DISM scans to resolve the issue.

How Can I Prevent This Error On My Computer?

Regularly update your graphics card driver, use the latest version of Windows, and frequently run antivirus scans to avoid this error.


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