How to Fix Microsoft Basic Display Adapter on Windows?

In a properly configured computer, Device Manager displays available GPUs with their proper names, for example, Nvidia RTX 3060, AMD Radeon RX 590, or Intel UHD Graphics 600. In some cases, an attempt to check the graphics card model ends up with a user discovering a somewhat puzzling “model”: Microsoft Basic Display Adapter. What is Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, and how to fix it? Where to download drivers for Microsoft Basic Display Adapter? This article is here to help you.

What is Microsoft Basic Display Adapter?

Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is a primitive VGA driver that ensures you get image output, even without a proper GPU driver. Windows 10, 11, and other versions use Microsoft Basic Display Adapter after “clean installation” before a user installs the required driver. In a nutshell, Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Device Manager means your system lacks the needed GPU driver.

Although a computer with Microsoft Basic Display Adapter works and even outputs the image, you cannot use such a PC daily. That driver cannot provide high image resolution, nor it supports hardware acceleration. You cannot play games if your computer uses Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.

How to Fix Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows 10 and 11?

Long story short, you need to download a proper GPU driver. From here, you have several options:

If your computer is connected to the Internet and you know your GPU model, head to the official AMD, Nvidia, or Intel website to download the driver you need. Install the driver, restart the computer, and you are good to go.
If your computer is connected to the Internet, but you do not know what GPU is inside it, get GPU auto-detect tools from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel. These utilities can automatically get all the required information, then download and install the latest GPU driver.
If your computer is not connected to the Internet and you do not know your GPU model, proceed with the following part of this article.

Important. If a GPU crashes in 3D mode, cannot run games, and constantly switches to Microsoft Basic Display Adapter (for example, on a system with all the needed drivers installed), you need to service or replace it. Those are signs of a dying graphics card.

How to Download Drivers for Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows 10 and 11?

What you need to do is identify the GPU inside your computer. On a desktop PC, such a task is not a problem. Turn off the computer, disconnect it from the power source, open the case and look at the sticker on the GPU. Next, download drivers from the official website. Things may get a little trickier when you try to fix Microsoft Basic Display Adapter on a laptop, or you do not want to open your desktop computer.

Right-click the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display Adapters section and right-click Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Select Properties.
In the Properties window, switch to the Details tab.
Select Hardware IDs from the Property drop-down list.
Right-click one of the values and select Copy.
Open the devid.info website and paste it into the search field.
Click the Search button.
The website will return your GPU model. Do not download drivers from there. Instead, go to the official Nvidia, AMD, or Intel website, and download drivers from the official source. You know, for the peace of mind. If you want to keep your computer healthy and malware/adware/unwanted apps-free, always download drivers from official sources.