How to Fix NVIDIA Driver Installation Failure on Windows

fix-nvidia-driver-installation-failure-windows

Some Windows users may encounter issues where the NVIDIA driver fails to install, preventing the graphics card from functioning properly. This can negatively impact gaming experiences and graphics processing performance. This article will introduce several common solutions to help you easily resolve this problem.

1. Update the Graphics Driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers are common reasons why NVIDIA driver installations fail. Checking for updates in a timely manner can effectively resolve this issue. It is recommended to use Driver Sentry for automatic driver detection and updates, saving time and effort while avoiding the risk of downloading or installing incorrect drivers.

Download

Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry. After installation, open the software and click "Scan".

click-scan

Once the scan is complete, a list of missing or outdated drivers will be displayed. Locate the NVIDIA graphics driver and click the "Upgrade" button.

After the update is complete, restart your computer to ensure the new drivers take effect properly.

2. Remove Old Drivers

Press Win + X, select "Device Manager", and open it.
Expand "Display adapters", right-click on the NVIDIA graphics card, and select "Uninstall device".
Check the box for "Delete the driver software for this device", then click "Uninstall".
Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to ensure the old drivers are fully removed.

3. Manually Download and Install the Driver

Open your browser and visit the NVIDIA official driver download page.

In the "Manual Driver Search" section, select your graphics card model, operating system, and other relevant details.

Click the "Search" button to find the latest driver version that matches your graphics card and OS, then click "Download".

manually-download-and-install-driver

Once the download is complete, double-click the driver installation file and follow the on-screen instructions.

During installation, choose "Custom Installation" to perform a clean install and avoid retaining old driver files.

After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

4. Install Using Compatibility Mode

Locate the downloaded NVIDIA driver installation file, right-click on it, and select "Properties".

In the Properties window, switch to the "Compatibility" tab.

Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for", then select an older Windows version, such as "Windows 7" or "Windows 8".

install-using-compatibility-mode

Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

Double-click the driver installation file and follow the instructions to proceed with the installation.

5. Disable Antivirus Software

Disable Windows Firewall:

Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to "Update & Security".
Select "Windows Security" from the left menu, then click "Firewall & network protection".
Choose your current network (e.g., "Private network") and turn off "Microsoft Defender Firewall".

disable-windows-firewall

Disable Third-Party Security Software:

Open your third-party antivirus software and temporarily disable its protection feature, or exit the program.
After disabling security software, rerun the NVIDIA driver installation program and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Once the installation is successful, remember to re-enable your firewall and security software to keep your system secure.

6. Run Windows Update

Press Win + I to open Windows Settings, then select "Update & Security".

Under "Windows Update", click "Check for updates". If updates are available, Windows will automatically download and install them.

After the installation is complete, follow the on-screen prompts to restart your computer.

Once the system is updated, try reinstalling the NVIDIA graphics driver to see if the issue is resolved.