How to Fix ‘Unsupported Video Driver’ Errors in Premiere Pro

Encountering the “Unsupported Video Driver” error in Adobe Premiere Pro can be frustrating, especially when it disrupts your editing workflow. This error typically indicates that Premiere Pro has detected issues with your current graphics driver, which can affect the software’s performance and stability. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

Understanding the ‘Unsupported Video Driver’ Error

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what triggers the “Unsupported Video Driver” error. Premiere Pro relies heavily on your system’s graphics processing unit (GPU) for rendering and playback. If the software detects that your GPU’s driver is outdated, incompatible, or malfunctioning, it will display this error message to prevent potential issues during editing.

Common causes include:

• Outdated GPU Drivers: Using drivers that haven’t been updated can lead to compatibility issues with newer versions of Premiere Pro.
• Incompatible Drivers: Some drivers may not be fully supported by Premiere Pro, leading to errors.
• Driver Conflicts: Conflicts between different drivers, especially if you have both integrated and dedicated GPUs, can cause this error.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Resolve the Error

1. Update Your GPU Drivers

The first and most straightforward step is to ensure that your GPU drivers are up-to-date. Updated drivers often contain fixes for known issues and improve compatibility with software like Premiere Pro.

For NVIDIA GPUs:

1. Identify Your GPU Model:
   • Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
   • In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, go to the Display tab to find your GPU model.
2. Download the Latest Drivers:
   • Visit the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page.
   • Enter your GPU details and download the recommended driver version.
3. Install the Drivers:
   • Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
   • It’s advisable to select the “Custom Installation” option and check “Perform a clean install” to remove previous driver versions.

For AMD GPUs:

1. Identify Your GPU Model:
   • Follow the same steps as above to find your GPU details.
2. Download the Latest Drivers:
   • Visit the AMD Drivers and Support page.
   • Enter your GPU details and download the appropriate driver.
3. Install the Drivers:
   • Run the installer and follow the prompts, ensuring a clean installation.

For Integrated Intel GPUs:

1. Identify Your GPU Model:
   • Use the dxdiag tool as described above.
2. Download the Latest Drivers:
   • Visit the Intel Download Center.
   • Search for your GPU model and download the latest drivers.
3. Install the Drivers:
   • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: Some users have reported that the latest drivers may not always be the most stable with Premiere Pro. In such cases, trying an earlier driver version might resolve the issue. ​

2. Configure Premiere Pro to Use the Dedicated GPU

If your system has both integrated and dedicated GPUs, ensuring that Premiere Pro utilizes the dedicated GPU can enhance performance and resolve compatibility issues.

1. Open Windows Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Graphics Settings:
   • Go to System > Display > Graphics settings.
3. Add Premiere Pro:
   • Under “Graphics settings,” click “Browse” and navigate to the Premiere Pro executable (Adobe Premiere Pro.exe).
4. Set High Performance:
   • After adding Premiere Pro, click on it, select “Options,” choose “High performance,” and click “Save.”

This configuration forces Premiere Pro to use the dedicated GPU, which is often more powerful and better supported.

3. Disable Integrated Graphics (If Applicable)

In some cases, disabling the integrated GPU can prevent conflicts and force Premiere Pro to use the dedicated GPU exclusively.

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Win + X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Locate Display Adapters:
   • Expand the “Display adapters” section.
3. Disable Integrated GPU:
   • Right-click on the integrated GPU (e.g., Intel HD Graphics) and select “Disable device.”

Caution: Disabling the integrated GPU may affect other applications and system functions. Ensure that your dedicated GPU is functioning correctly before proceeding.​

4. Update or Reinstall Premiere Pro

Keeping Premiere Pro updated ensures that you have the latest features and bug fixes, which can resolve compatibility issues.

1. Check for Updates:
   • Open the Adobe Creative Cloud application.
   • Go to the “Updates” tab and install any available updates for Premiere Pro.
2. Reinstall Premiere Pro:
   • If updating doesn’t help, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Premiere Pro.
   • Use the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to remove all remnants of the previous installation before reinstalling.

5. Monitor Windows Updates

Windows updates can sometimes overwrite GPU drivers with versions that are not optimal for Premiere Pro. To prevent this:​

• Pause Windows Updates:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Click “Pause updates” and select a duration.
• Prevent Driver Updates:
  • Open Device Manager.
  • Right-click on your GPU under “Display adapters” and select “Properties.”
  • Go to the “Driver” tab and note the driver version.
  • If Windows updates the driver automatically, you can roll back to the previous version using the “Roll Back Driver” option.

6. Check System Compatibility

Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for the version of Premiere Pro you’re using. Inadequate hardware can lead to performance issues and errors.​

• Review System Requirements:
  • Visit Adobe’s official system requirements page to verify your system’s compatibility.
• Upgrade Hardware if Necessary:
  • If your hardware falls short, consider upgrading components like RAM, CPU, or GPU to meet the requirements.

Additional Tips

• Clean Media Cache:
  • Go to Edit > Preferences > Media Cache and click “Delete” to remove old cache files that might cause issues.​
• Reset Preferences:
  • Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while launching Premiere Pro to reset preferences to default.​

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Conclusion

The “Unsupported Video Driver” error in Premiere Pro is primarily caused by outdated or incompatible GPU drivers. By following the steps outlined above, you can resolve this issue and ensure a smooth editing experience. Always remember to back up your system and important files before making significant changes, and consult Adobe