how to roll back amd driver

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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21-01-2025

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AMD graphics drivers, while crucial for optimal performance, can sometimes cause issues like game crashes, screen tearing, or blue screens. If you're experiencing problems after updating your AMD driver, rolling back to a previous version can often solve the problem. This guide will walk you through the process, using both the Device Manager and AMD's own software.

Why Roll Back Your AMD Driver?

Before diving into the how-to, let's briefly discuss why you might need to roll back your AMD driver. A new driver update, while intending to improve performance or add features, can sometimes introduce bugs or conflicts with your system. This can lead to:

• Game crashes: Frequent game crashes or instability.
• Blue screen errors (BSOD): The dreaded blue screen of death.
• Screen tearing or flickering: Visual artifacts that disrupt gameplay or general use.
• Performance issues: A decrease in frame rates or overall system sluggishness.
• Hardware incompatibility: The new driver might conflict with other hardware components.

If you're experiencing any of these issues after a driver update, rolling back is a logical troubleshooting step.

Method 1: Rolling Back Through Device Manager (Windows)

This method is a built-in Windows feature and is generally the simplest approach.

Step 1: Open Device Manager. Search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar and open it.

Step 2: Locate your AMD graphics card. Expand "Display adapters" to find your AMD graphics card (e.g., Radeon RX 6800 XT).

Step 3: Properties. Right-click on your AMD graphics card and select "Properties."

Step 4: Driver tab. Navigate to the "Driver" tab.

Step 5: Roll Back Driver. If the "Roll Back Driver" button is enabled, click it. Windows will then revert to the previously installed driver. Follow the on-screen prompts. You may need to restart your computer.

Step 6: Check for improvements. After restarting, test your system to see if the issue is resolved.

Important Note: The "Roll Back Driver" option is only available if Windows has saved a previous driver version. If it's grayed out, you'll need to use Method 2.

Method 2: Using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition

AMD's Adrenalin software provides a more comprehensive driver management solution.

Step 1: Open AMD Adrenalin Software. Open the AMD Adrenalin software. (If you don't have it installed, download it from the official AMD website.)

Step 2: Navigate to the Drivers tab. Look for a section related to drivers or updates. The exact location might vary depending on your Adrenalin version.

Step 3: Check for older drivers (if available). Some versions of Adrenalin allow you to browse or download previous driver releases. This option isn't always present. If it's not there, you may need to uninstall the current driver and install an older one manually (see Method 3).

Step 4: Install the older driver (if found). Follow the on-screen instructions to install the selected older driver. A system restart will likely be required.

Step 5: Verify the fix. After the restart, check if the problem is resolved.

Method 3: Manual Driver Installation (Advanced Users)

This method involves downloading a specific older driver from AMD's website and installing it manually. This requires more technical knowledge.

Step 1: Find your older driver. Go to the AMD support website (https://www.amd.com/en/support). Select your graphics card model. You will need to search through their archives for older drivers, which can take some time.

Step 2: Download and install the driver. Download the older driver package that you identified and follow the installation instructions provided.

Preventing Future Driver Issues

While rolling back is a temporary fix, preventing future problems is key. Consider these steps:

• Research before updating: Check online forums and reviews before installing new drivers.
• Create a system restore point: Before installing any driver updates, create a system restore point in Windows. This allows you to revert your system's settings to an earlier state.
• Update drivers gradually: Don't jump several versions at once. Updating to a more recent version incrementally reduces the chance of encountering compatibility issues.
• Monitor your system's stability: After any driver update, pay attention to your system's performance.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully roll back your AMD driver and resolve any issues caused by a problematic update. Remember to always back up your data before attempting any major driver changes.