Uninstalled and reinstalled GPU driver and now my pc freezes at startup

Troubleshooting PC Freezing Issues Following GPU Driver Reinstallation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Updating or downgrading graphics drivers can sometimes lead to unexpected system behavior, including boot failures or system freezes. If you’ve recently uninstalled and reinstalled your GPU driver and are now experiencing startup issues, you’re not alone. This post provides a detailed overview of the problem, potential causes, and practical solutions to help you get your system back on track.

Scenario Overview

Recently, a user attempted to downgrade their NVIDIA graphics driver by removing the current version and installing an earlier one. During the installation process—either during or immediately after—the system displayed a black screen. Following this, a force shutdown was performed. Upon attempting to restart the computer, the system only progresses to the GIGABYTE logo screen before either freezing or going black.

System Specifications

• Operating System: Windows 10
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE (model unspecified)

Issue Details

• The system initially froze at startup after driver reinstallation.
• During driver installation, a black screen was observed.
• Post-shutdown, the system fails to fully boot, stalling at the manufacturer’s logo or displaying a black screen.

Potential Causes

Several factors might contribute to these startup issues:

• Corrupted or incompatible GPU drivers
• Incomplete driver uninstallation
• Driver conflicts or leftover residual files
• Hardware issues triggered by improper driver installation
• BIOS settings related to graphics configuration

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Boot into Safe Mode

To troubleshoot driver-related issues, start your system in Safe Mode. This loads minimal drivers and can help isolate the problem.

• Restart your PC and press the F8 key (or Shift + Restart on Windows 10) during boot

• Select “Safe Mode” from the options presented

• Completely Remove Existing Graphics Drivers

Use specialized tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to thoroughly remove any remnants of previous graphics drivers.

• Download DDU from a reputable source
• Boot into Safe Mode

• Run DDU and select “Clean and restart” to remove all GPU driver traces

• Reinstall the Appropriate Graphics Driver

After cleaning, install the desired driver version:

• Download the driver directly from the NVIDIA official website
• Avoid using Windows Update or third-party sources

• Install the driver in “Custom” mode, opting for a clean installation

• Verify BIOS Settings