Installing or updating NVIDIA drivers on your Windows PC is usually straightforward, but sometimes you might encounter the dreaded “NVIDIA Installer Cannot Continue” error. This error can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are several ways to fix it. In this post, we’ll walk you through the common causes and solutions to get you back on track.
Why Does This Error Occur?
The “NVIDIA Installer Cannot Continue” error generally pops up due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Outdated or incompatible drivers.
- Conflicts with existing drivers on your system.
- Windows not recognizing your NVIDIA GPU.
- Incomplete or corrupted driver files.
Let’s dive into how to resolve it.
1. Check If Your PC Recognizes the NVIDIA GPU
Sometimes, the error happens because your system isn’t recognizing your NVIDIA graphics card. To check if Windows detects it:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- If you don’t see your NVIDIA GPU listed, there could be a hardware issue or the drivers are completely missing.
If it’s not showing up, try restarting your computer and checking the BIOS settings to ensure the graphics card is enabled.
2. Update Windows
An outdated version of Windows can cause compatibility issues with your NVIDIA drivers.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
- Go to Update & Security and click on Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart your computer.
Once Windows is fully updated, try installing the NVIDIA drivers again.
3. Download the Correct Driver from NVIDIA’s Website
One common reason for the “NVIDIA Installer Cannot Continue” error is using the wrong or outdated driver.
- Go to the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page.
- Enter your GPU model and Windows version.
- Download the latest version of the driver that matches your system.
Be sure to choose the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version based on your system.
4. Uninstall Previous NVIDIA Drivers
Old or corrupt drivers can conflict with new installations, so it’s best to remove them before attempting to install the new ones.
- Open Control Panel by typing it into the search bar.
- Go to Programs and Features and look for any NVIDIA programs.
- Uninstall all NVIDIA-related drivers (e.g., NVIDIA Graphics Driver, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, etc.).
- Restart your computer.
You can also use the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool for a more thorough removal of old drivers. DDU ensures that no leftover files are present that could cause conflicts with the new installation.
5. Disable Antivirus Software
Sometimes, antivirus software can block the NVIDIA installer from running correctly.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus program before installing the drivers.
- After installation, you can re-enable it for protection.
6. Perform a Clean Installation of the NVIDIA Drivers
NVIDIA provides an option to perform a “clean install” of the drivers, which removes any previous settings or configurations.
- Run the NVIDIA driver installer.
- Select Custom (Advanced) instead of Express when prompted.
- Check the box labeled Perform a clean installation.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
This should resolve any issues with conflicting drivers or settings.
7. Check Windows Services
NVIDIA services may not be running, causing the installer to fail. You can check this by:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- In the list of services, look for NVIDIA Display Container LS.
- Right-click it and choose Start. If it’s already running, try restarting the service.
8. Update or Roll Back Your Windows Version
If the issue occurred after a recent Windows update, rolling back to a previous version may help. Alternatively, you may need to update Windows if you’re running an outdated version that’s incompatible with the latest NVIDIA drivers.
To roll back Windows:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10/11, click Get started.
If you’re using an older version of Windows, consider updating to a newer version for better compatibility with the latest drivers.
9. Install Drivers in Safe Mode
Booting your PC into Safe Mode can help avoid conflicts with other processes and drivers while installing NVIDIA drivers.
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Under the Boot tab, check Safe boot and select Minimal.
- Restart your computer, and it will boot into Safe Mode.
- Try running the NVIDIA installer again.
After installing the drivers, go back to msconfig, uncheck Safe boot, and restart your computer normally.
10. Manually Install the NVIDIA Drivers
If the installer still refuses to work, you can manually install the drivers via Device Manager.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters, right-click your NVIDIA GPU, and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers and point it to the folder where you downloaded the drivers from the NVIDIA website.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
The “NVIDIA Installer Cannot Continue” error can be annoying, but by following these steps, you should be able to resolve it and successfully install or update your drivers. Whether it’s an issue with outdated drivers, conflicts with previous installations, or a simple Windows update, these troubleshooting methods will help you get your system back up and running smoothly.
Let us know if you found this guide helpful or if you have any other suggestions for fixing the error!