Updating Video Drivers

What Is a Video (Graphics) Driver?

A video driver (also called a graphics driver) is a small piece of software that helps your computer communicate with your graphics hardware. 

This is what allows games, videos, and other graphics-heavy apps to display correctly.

If your graphics driver is old or outdated, it can cause:

• Visual glitches

• Slower performance

• Games or programs closing unexpectedly ("crashing")

Even new computers can benefit from updated drivers because manufacturers regularly release improvements and fixes.

How to Find Your Video Driver Information

Using Device Manager (Windows)

1. Click the Start button and type Device Manager.

2. Open it and expand Display adapters.

3. You’ll see your graphics adapter (e.g., Intel, AMD Radeon, NVIDIA).

   • Right-click it and choose Properties → Driver to see the installed driver version and date.

Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

1. Press Windows key + R.

2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.

3. Click the Display tab to see your graphics driver details.

How to Update Your Video Drivers

Once you know your graphics hardware, download the latest drivers from the official manufacturer pages:

Tips:

• Use the auto-detect tools provided on these pages for easier updates.

• Windows Update may provide some driver updates, but the manufacturer pages often have the latest fixes and improvements.

• Always download drivers from official sites to ensure safety and reliability.

After Updating Drivers

• Restart your computer to ensure the new drivers take effect.

• If using an older version of Windows (before Windows 10), you may need to update DirectX using the Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime.

• If problems persist, ensure your Windows operating system and game launcher or platform (e.g., WildTangent Games) are fully updated.

No 3D Hardware Acceleration Found Error

If you see the error “No 3D Hardware Acceleration Found,” it means the game cannot detect the 3D graphics hardware it needs to run.

What to do:

1. Check your video card: Make sure your computer has a 3D accelerator with at least 16 MB of video memory. Most modern graphics cards far exceed this requirement.

2. Update your video drivers: Even if your hardware meets the requirements, outdated drivers may prevent the game from recognizing your GPU. Follow the steps above to check and update your drivers.

After updating your drivers, restart your computer and try launching the game again. This usually resolves the error.