NVIDIA Driver 596.36 is a significant release that delivers performance improvements, new feature support, and critical bug fixes for a wide range of GeForce GPUs on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
This guide breaks down exactly what is new in NVIDIA Driver 596.36, which GPUs benefit most, and how to perform both a standard and clean installation step by step.
What Is NVIDIA Driver 596.36
NVIDIA Driver 596.36 is a Game Ready Driver released by NVIDIA to optimize performance and stability for newly launched titles while addressing reported issues from the previous driver branch. Game Ready Drivers are specifically tuned ahead of or alongside major game launches, meaning they include profile updates, rendering optimizations, and compatibility fixes that directly benefit players on day one.
This driver release targets GeForce RTX 50 Series, RTX 40 Series, RTX 30 Series, RTX 20 Series, and GTX 16 Series GPUs, covering the vast majority of actively used NVIDIA hardware on the market today.
What Does NVIDIA Driver 596.36 Contain
New Game Optimizations and Game Ready Support
NVIDIA Driver 596.36 includes day-one optimization profiles for several major titles. These profiles adjust shader compilation behavior, frame pacing, and API utilization to deliver the best out-of-the-box performance without requiring manual tweaking.
Titles receiving Game Ready optimization in this driver include support profiles for recently launched and upcoming AAA releases. Additionally, DLSS profile updates are bundled directly into the driver, meaning DLSS Super Resolution, DLSS Frame Generation, and DLSS Ray Reconstruction receive updated AI model weights without requiring a separate game patch.
DLSS and AI Feature Updates
Driver 596.36 brings updated DLSS 4 technology support with Multi Frame Generation improvements for RTX 50 Series GPUs. Furthermore, RTX 40 Series users receive enhanced DLSS Frame Generation stability, addressing frame pacing inconsistencies reported in the previous driver branch.
NVIDIA Reflex latency optimization also receives an update in this driver, improving system latency measurement accuracy in supported competitive titles. As a result, players using Reflex-enabled games will see more consistent latency readings in the performance overlay.
Bug Fixes Included in NVIDIA Driver 596.36
This driver addresses several notable bugs carried over from the previous release branch. Key fixes include:
- Resolved flickering and black screen issues on HDR-enabled displays when switching between fullscreen and windowed modes
- Fixed driver crash and TDR errors occurring in DirectX 12 titles under heavy VRAM load on RTX 30 Series GPUs
- Corrected incorrect color output on certain G-Sync Compatible monitors after waking from sleep
- Addressed stuttering in Vulkan-based applications on multi-monitor setups
- Fixed NVENC encoder instability affecting OBS and streaming software during high-bitrate captures
- Resolved SLI and NVLink configuration crashes on RTX 20 Series and RTX 30 Series systems
New Feature Support
Driver 596.36 also extends support for NVIDIA App features, including updated in-game overlay performance metrics and enhanced per-game driver profile management through the NVIDIA App interface. Additionally, this release adds RTX HDR and NVIDIA RTX Video enhancement support for a broader range of video players and display configurations.
Which GPUs Are Supported by NVIDIA Driver 596.36
NVIDIA Driver 596.36 supports the following GPU families:
- GeForce RTX 50 Series (RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5070, RTX 5060 Ti)
- GeForce RTX 40 Series (RTX 4090, RTX 4080 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, RTX 4070 Super, RTX 4070, RTX 4060 Ti, RTX 4060)
- GeForce RTX 30 Series (RTX 3090 Ti through RTX 3050)
- GeForce RTX 20 Series (RTX 2080 Ti through RTX 2060)
- GeForce GTX 16 Series (GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1660 Super, GTX 1660, GTX 1650 Super, GTX 1650)
How to Install NVIDIA Driver 596.36
There are two methods to install NVIDIA Driver 596.36: the standard update method through GeForce Experience and the manual clean installation method for users who want full control over the process.
Method 1: Install via GeForce Experience
This is the simplest approach and suits most users who want a quick, guided update.
Steps:
- Open GeForce Experience on your desktop or from the system tray
- Click the Drivers tab at the top of the application
- GeForce Experience will check for available updates automatically
- If Driver 596.36 appears, click Download
- Once the download completes, click Express Installation
- Allow the installation to proceed and do not use the PC during the process
- Restart your PC when prompted to complete the driver installation
Method 2: Manual Clean Installation Using DDU
A clean installation is recommended if you have experienced driver-related issues such as crashes, black screens, or performance drops with a previous driver version. This method completely removes the old driver before installing the new one.
Steps:
- Download NVIDIA Driver 596.36 directly from NVIDIA’s official website by selecting your GPU model, Windows version, and Game Ready Driver type
- Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from its official source
- Boot your PC into Safe Mode by pressing Win + R, typing msconfig, going to the Boot tab, and checking Safe Boot, then restarting
- In Safe Mode, run DDU and select GPU as the device type and NVIDIA as the manufacturer
- Click Clean and Restart to remove all existing NVIDIA driver files completely
- After the PC restarts normally, run the NVIDIA Driver 596.36 installer you downloaded earlier
- Select Custom Installation and check the box for Perform a Clean Installation
- Complete the installation and restart your PC when prompted
Method 3: Install via Windows Update (Optional)
In some configurations, NVIDIA Driver 596.36 may appear as an optional update through Windows Update. However, this method is generally not recommended for gaming purposes since Windows Update versions of NVIDIA drivers sometimes lag behind the Game Ready release and may not include all optimizations.
Steps:
- Press Win + I and go to Windows Update
- Click Advanced Options, then Optional Updates
- Look for NVIDIA driver updates in the Driver Updates section
- If Driver 596.36 appears, check the box and click Download and Install
- Restart your PC after the installation completes
How to Verify NVIDIA Driver 596.36 Is Installed Correctly
After installation, confirming the driver is active and running correctly takes only a few seconds.
Steps:
- Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter
- Go to the Display tab and check the Driver Version field
- Alternatively, right-click your desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel
- Click System Information in the bottom left corner
- Confirm that the Driver Version shows 596.36
- Additionally, open GeForce Experience and go to the Drivers tab to confirm no further updates are pending
What to Do If NVIDIA Driver 596.36 Causes Issues
In rare cases, a new driver can introduce new problems on specific hardware configurations. If Driver 596.36 causes crashes, black screens, or performance drops on your system, rolling back to the previous version is straightforward.
Steps:
- Press Win + X and open Device Manager
- Expand Display Adapters and right-click your NVIDIA GPU
- Select Properties, then go to the Driver tab
- Click Roll Back Driver and follow the on-screen prompts
- Alternatively, use DDU in Safe Mode to fully remove Driver 596.36 and then install the previous stable driver version manually
- Report the issue through NVIDIA’s official feedback channels to help the team address hardware-specific bugs in the next release
Conclusion
NVIDIA Driver 596.36 is a meaningful Game Ready Driver release that brings DLSS 4 improvements, targeted bug fixes for DirectX 12 and NVENC issues, and day-one game optimization profiles for current and upcoming titles. Whether you install it through GeForce Experience for convenience or via a clean DDU installation for maximum stability, Driver 596.36 is a worthwhile update for the majority of GeForce GPU owners. Follow the installation steps in this guide to get the driver running correctly, verify the installation, and enjoy improved performance and stability across your game library.
