Our Recommended Fixes for Nvidia Display Driver Failed To Start

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Arsalan Shakil

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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“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.

Method Difficuly Rating

You will see the following error message:

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 Windows updates 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 also 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.”

   

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. This solution worked for us and 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.

   

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.

   

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. When we tried updating the Nvidia drivers, the issue was resolved. We also came across a post on the Nvidia forum where several users claimed that this solution has also worked for them. 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.

   

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   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. 

   ---

   

2. Update Driver: Download the driver on your PC > Go to “Device Manager” > Right-click on “Nvidia Display Driver” > Select “Update Driver.”

   

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.”

   

   

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 backward 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.

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Arsalan Shakil

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com