Photoshop has long been a robust tool for crafting, editing, and designing pro-grade images. The noted photo editor heavily relies on your system’s GPU (graphics processing unit) to accelerate features like 3D rendering, image processing, and neural filters.
While Adobe’s photo editor works with immaculate precision and efficiency, there are instances where it throws unexpected errors like the “GPU not supported” out of nowhere.
If you have encountered the “GPU not supported” or “Photoshop detected an error in your display driver” message in Windows 11, it means Photoshop cannot properly access or utilize your graphics card. In this guide, I’m going to talk about the 9 most effective solutions to fix this error and restore GPU functionality in Photoshop on Windows 11 like a pro. Read on…
Best Tips and Tricks to Fix GPU Not Supported Photoshop Error in Windows 11 24H2
So, what causes Photoshop to run into the GPU issues. Well, it’s typically caused by outdated drivers, unsupported hardware, disabled GPU settings, or system conflicts. In this detailed article, I’m going to pin-point each one of these usual suspects and offer up ways to tackle them.
1. Check If Your GPU Meets Photoshop’s Requirements
It’s worth pointing out that the Photoshop has specific GPU requirements, especially for features like Neural Filters and 3D.
- Therefore, visit Adobe’s official GPU compatibility list to verify if your graphics card is supported.
- If your GPU is too old or below minimum requirements (like less than 1.5GB of VRAM), it may not be usable with the latest Photoshop versions.
- In such cases, consider using an older Photoshop version or upgrading your hardware.
2. Enable GPU in Photoshop’s Preferences
Note that Photoshop allows you to manually enable GPU acceleration.
- Open Photoshop on your PC > navigate to Edit > Preferences > Performance.
- Under Graphics Processor Settings, ensure “Use Graphics Processor” is checked.

- Click Advanced Settings and select Basic, Normal, or Advanced depending on your GPU.
- Restart Photoshop after making changes.
3. Force Photoshop to Use the High-Performance GPU
Keep in mind that Windows 11 may default to an integrated GPU, which is less capable.
- To do so, fire up the Settings app on your Windows 11 device > System > Display.

- Now, choose Graphics.
- Scroll down and click Browse under “Add an app,” then select Photoshop’s
.exe
file. - Once added, click Options > choose High performance, then click Save.
4. Update Your Graphics Driver
Be warned that outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common cause of GPU issues.
- Right-click the Start button > Device Manager > expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your GPU and select Update driver.

- After that, choose Search automatically for drivers.
- Alternatively, visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to manually download the latest driver.
- Restart your PC after installation.
5. Roll Back Recent Driver Updates
In certain cases, the latest drivers may cause compatibility issues with Photoshop.
- Open Device Manager > Display adapters > right-click your GPU > Properties.

- Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
- Choose a reason and follow the prompts to revert to the previous version.
6. Reset Photoshop Preferences
Corrupted preferences can interfere with GPU detection.
- On your Windows device, launch the Photoshop app > head over to Edit > Preferences > General.
- Now, click on Reset Preferences On Quit option.
- Then, hit the OK button and relaunch Photosho.

- Alternatively, launch Photoshop and immediately press Ctrl + Alt + Shift before it loads. Confirm the prompt to delete current settings. This will reset preferences to default, including GPU settings.
7. Disable Windows Graphics Isolation or Sandbox Apps
Security software or sandbox environments may restrict GPU access.
- Temporarily disable third-party security software or virtualization apps.
- Ensure that Core Isolation > Memory Integrity is disabled via Windows Security > Device Security settings if you suspect interference.
- Restart your PC and recheck GPU settings in Photoshop.
8. Perform a Clean GPU Driver Installation
A clean install removes old driver conflicts.
- Use tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to completely remove your GPU drivers.
- Download the latest driver from your GPU manufacturer’s website.
- Install it manually and restart your PC.
9. Update Windows 11
A missing OS update can lead to GPU detection issues.
- On your PC, dive into the Settings app > Windows Update > click Check for updates.
- Install all available updates, including optional driver updates listed.

- Restart your PC and try using GPU features in Photoshop again.
Wrapping up..!
And that’s about it! GPU-related issues in Photoshop can disrupt your workflow, especially if you rely on graphics-intensive tasks. By following these nine solutions, you can fix the “GPU not supported” error and ensure that Photoshop takes full advantage of your hardware. Whether it’s updating drivers, configuring preferences, or performing a clean installation, these steps will help restore GPU acceleration and improve overall performance.