Getting Rid of OpenGL Errors in Windows 10 (Full Guide)
Graphics cards, especially GPUs that run more demanding apps and games normally require proprietary drivers. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all have proprietary drivers available for their respective graphics card, as do other GPU manufacturers.
Fix OpenGL Errors in Windows 10
OpenGL is often thought of as open-source drivers for GPUs but that isn’t accurate. It is a standard and apps develop for it. There are libraries that are used and specifications that are followed. In some cases, open-source implementations of it are used.
If you’re trying to run apps, games, or just booting to your system and you see OpenGL errors, try the fixes below.
1. Run SFC scan
The first thing you should do to resolve OpenGL errors is to run an SFC scan. If the problem is with your OS, it will resolve it.
- Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Run this command:
sfc /scannow. - Allow the command to complete and fix any errors that it finds.
2. Install latest graphics drivers
OpenGL isn’t a driver but it does work with graphics adapters and apps that require high graphic processing. As such, if the graphics drivers are outdated, you may get OpenGL errors.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters.
- Right-click the graphics card and select Update drivers.
- Search online for driver updates and install the ones that are available.
- Repeat for the GPU.
- Restart the system after installing driver updates.
3. Uninstall and reinstall app/game
OpenGL drivers may be specific to a particular app or game. It likely means that the app’s files are corrupted or that it didn’t install correctly. A simple way to fix this is to uninstall and reinstall the app/game.
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Programs>Uninstall a program.
- Select the app/game to uninstall.
- Click the Uninstall button.
- Install the app/game again.
Enable high performance visual effects
OpenGL errors may be caused by your system running on low power or if it has visual effects turned off.
- Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
- In the run box, enter
explorer shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE}and tap enter. - Click Advanced System Settings in the column on the left.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Click Settings under Performance.
- Select Adjust for best performance.
- Click OK and restart the system.
Enable OpenGL in app
It’s possible the app (or game) supports OpenGL but has an option to turn it off. Minecraft’s Java edition an example of one such game. Check the app/game that’s giving you trouble and see if you can enable OpenGL in it.
Conclusion
OpenGL errors can be caused by a variety of reasons; corrupt OS files, outdated drivers, poorly developed apps, incorrect system configurations, and more. If there is a specific OpenGL error that you’re seeing, you should troubleshoot it directly. The fixes we’ve listed are for more general OpenGL problems.
