Updating Graphics Drivers

A high percentage of Windows-based computers are operating with drivers that are out of date or that do not currently support OpenGL (caused by using the default Windows drivers rather than those of the manufacturer). If you conclude that your graphics drivers need to be updated, the following (general) steps should guide you through the process.

Outdated graphics driver can cause a variety of issues for X-Plane including:

• Flickering screens in aircraft.
• Hard crashes to desktop.
• The app not starting.
• The app appearing as a black screen.
• An OpenGL error during the X-Plane start-up or in the Log.txt file.

Automatic updating

Many of the latest video cards come with manufacturer’s software that can automatically download and install the latest drivers, easily keeping you up to date.

• AMD & ATI Driver Autodetect tool
• NVIDIA Update

Manual updating

Windows 10

1. Go to your video card manufacturer’s driver download page (ATI’s site or NVIDIA’s) and download the latest drivers, being sure to save it to a place that you’ll be able to find it (for example, the Desktop).
2. Click the Windows icon at the bottom of the screen and type Device Manager in the search box.
3. Select the device, right click it, and choose “Update Driver Software.”
4. Select “Browse my computer for driver software” then navigate to the file you saved in step 1.
5. Click Next then wait until the installation finishes.
6. Reboot your PC and you’re ready to fly!

Windows 8

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
   (If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Search.)
2. Enter Device Manager in the search box, and tap or click Device Manager.
3. In the list of hardware categories, double-tap or double-click the category your device is in and then double-tap or double-click the device you want. For example, to see your video card, tap or click Display adapters, and then double-tap or double-click the video card name.
4. Tap or click the Driver tab, tap or click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
5. Reboot your PC and you’re ready to fly!

Windows 7

1. Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
3. Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
4. Reboot your PC and you’re ready to fly!