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Fix: Graphics Card Shows As Microsoft Basic Display Adapter

Replace your graphics driver when you encounter this issue

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Some of our readers have recently reported that their Graphics card shows asMicrosoft basic display adapterin the Display adapters category instead of the name of their PC’sGraphics card model(AMD, NVIDIA, Intel HD, etc).

Whenever this happens, it downgrades the visual quality of your computer’s screen and affects the performance of your PC. In this article, we will discuss what triggers this error and the possible fixes to apply.

Why did Graphics Card show as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter?

There can be several reasons why your Graphics card shows as Microsoft basic display adapter in the Display adapters category instead of your installed Graphics card. Below are some of the potential reasons behind this change:

Now that you know some of the potential reasons why the Graphics card shows as a Microsoft basic display adapter, let’s proceed to how to fix the issue.

How can I fix Graphics Card shows as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter?

Before trying any of the advanced troubleshooting or settings tweaks provided in this guide, you should consider performing the following preliminary checks:

Having confirmed the above checks and if you still require further assistance, you can explore the advanced solutions provided below.

1. Perform Windows Update

Windows updateshould provide you with a compatible and right graphics driver to fix the issue. If the Graphics card still shows as Microsoft basic display adapter in place of your current graphics card driver, then try the next fix.

2. Manually install the Graphics card drivers

If the Windows Update does not fix the issue, you can download the original driver from the official manufacturer site for your graphics card and install the drivers manually.

However, it would be more efficient to find available drivers for your PC with a standalone tool specialized in driver installation or updates. Consider it to fix graphics card issues

OutByte

3. Replace your graphics driver

If updating the graphics card driver does not resolve the issue, you should consider replacing the current graphics card as it might have become obsolete.

It is advisable to upgrade to a more advanced display driver which is certified to support Windows Display Driver Model 1.2 or higher. Alternatively, users can also try the next fix.

4. Downgrade your Operating System

Before using this fix, make sure your important files and applications are already backed up in case the process isn’t successful or satisfactory. Alternatively, you canperform a factory resetand check if that fixes the issue.

And that’s it on how to fix Graphics Card shows as Microsoft basic display adapter. If you’re unable to fix this issue yourself, seek professional assistance from an expert to fix the issue.

In case you don’t knowhow to check your graphics driver in Windows 11, explore our dedicated guide for that.

If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

Fix: Graphics Card Shows As Microsoft Basic Display Adapter#

Why did Graphics Card show as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter?#

How can I fix Graphics Card shows as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter?#

1. Perform Windows Update#

2. Manually install the Graphics card drivers#

OutByte#

3. Replace your graphics driver#

4. Downgrade your Operating System#