A video driver is a computer program responsible for playing video, as well as graphics and visual images, on a computer. It is a software that helps the program being operated to connect to the monitor or laptop screen to display any visual elements. This produces the visual effect requested by the user through a process of electrical operations. Many different companies, including hardware and software companies, make these types of programs.
man holding computer
Video drivers are exclusive to visual devices and software and do not work with other hardware, such as speakers or printers. A video controller takes the instructions provided to the software by the user and communicates them to the hardware. The hardware then takes the appropriate action and passes it on to the software through the video controller. The user sees the visual output of the command they requested.
The type of video driver required depends on the operating system installed on the computer. Hardware with more than one operating system will have different video drivers for each of those operating systems. Ensuring compatibility between hardware and operating systems is often an ongoing process due to updates and fixes provided by manufacturers of hardware, device drivers, and operating systems. If new video hardware or software programs are installed, a new video driver may need to be installed for one or both to work properly.
If a user is confused about which video driver their software or device needs, they can search for scanning programs that indicate the correct driver required by the system. Also, a software program may have this detection built in. When the software is updated, it will alert the user of any compatibility issues in the update or the update may include a new driver.
A user may need different video drivers for a monitor, a camera, and a scanner to ensure that the full interface between hardware and software is achieved. They are also essential with certain types of software, such as games and image manipulation programs. Any media program that relies on display, such as movie players or even movie creators, may require advanced display drivers due to the thousands of commands that are executed on the hardware every second.
Improperly installed video drivers can cause a software program to terminate, which is called a fatal error. This is because the translation between software and hardware cannot occur. The lack of translation causes problems in the software, which cannot repair itself, closing the entire program.
