Reset Graphics Driver in Windows | Quick Fix for Black Screen & Freezing (Win + Ctrl + Shift + B)

How to Quickly Reset Your Graphics Driver in Windows (Fix Black Screen or Freezing)

If your screen goes black, freezes, flickers, or some apps look glitchy, you can often fix it quickly without restarting your whole computer.

Windows has a hidden keyboard shortcut that resets your graphics driver (the software that controls your display). This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it’s safe to try.


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Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Press and hold these four keys at the same time: Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B
  2. Your screen will go black or flicker for 1–2 seconds, and you may hear a short beep.
  3. The screen should come back normally. Your graphics driver has been reset.

That’s it! No need to open any settings or restart your PC.



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When to Use This Shortcut

  • Screen suddenly goes black or blank
  • Display freezes or becomes unresponsive
  • Games or videos are glitchy or lagging
  • Flickering or weird colors on the screen

This shortcut is a fast first step for many display problems.



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What If It Doesn’t Work?

  • Try the shortcut again (sometimes it needs a second try).
  • Restart your computer normally.
  • Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date (search for “update graphics driver” in Windows Settings or visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
  • If problems continue, contact support with details about your PC model and what you were doing when the issue happened.



Notes

Important Notes

  • This shortcut only resets the graphics part of Windows. It won’t close your programs or delete any files.
  • It works with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel graphics cards.
  • If your screen stays black after trying this, hold the power button on your PC to force a shutdown, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.