How to Fix “Unable to run in CUDA mode as the installed NVIDIA driver is incompatible” in DaVinci Resolve

If you are trying to use Davinci Resolve but keep getting a GPU Configuration Warning message that says "DaVinci Resolve is unable to run in CUDA mode as the installed NVIDIA driver is incompatible. Please upgrade your NVIDIA driver for optimal performance." This article will show you a few different things you can do to fix the problem, allowing you to open Resolve and Render your projects.

How to Fix “Unable to run in CUDA mode as the installed NVIDIA driver is incompatible” in DaVinci Resolve

Before you start the steps shown below, there are a few things you need to make sure you have done first.

1. Make sure that you have tried using the latest drivers available for your GPU.
2. If you recently updated to newer drivers and the issue started, go back to the old ones for a while.
3. Uninstall your GPU drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)
4. Check that your GPU is supported. There are some GPUs (Intel) that aren’t supported by Davinci Resolve.
5. If an update is available Update Davinci Resolve as well.
6. Uninstall parsecc display drivers and Citrix display drivers.

Note: This process works in all versions of Davinci Resolve, even the older versions that you may still be using.

Change your GPU Configuration

If you are getting the Unsupported GPU Processing Mode error in Davinci Resolve when trying to launch the program, you will need to do the following.

• First, try to launch Davinci. When the error message appears, click Update Configuration.
• This will open the Settings menu. Here, change to the Memory and GPU tab on the left.
• On this page, go down to the GPU Configuration section and untick Auto and make sure that both of your GPUs are selected. In the odd case this doesn’t work, select your primary (most powerful) GPU.
• Finally, click Save, and you should be able to launch Davinci Resolve without any problems.

Clean Install your GPU Drivers Using Display Driver Uninstaller

If you haven't cleanly installed your GPU drivers in a while, this might just solve your problems. It's quite a good fix, especially for games and video editors.

• Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)
• Download the latest drivers for your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, etc.), then disconnect your Internet connection to avoid Windows installing default drivers automatically.
• Open DDU and, if prompted, choose to remove GeForce Experience (GFE) for NVIDIA users, or AMD software if you're using AMD hardware.
• Once DDU completes the removal, restart your computer.
• Reinstall your graphics drivers and ensure your internet connection is active again to prevent Windows from installing generic drivers automatically.
• After reinstalling, you can re-download GeForce Experience (for NVIDIA users) and update your drivers if necessary.

Try a Slightly Older Version of DaVinci Resolve

Some older NVIDIA GPUs are no longer supported by newer versions of DaVinci Resolve or newer CUDA driver releases. If updating the driver does not correct the issue and replacing hardware is not possible, using an earlier version of Resolve may provide a stable solution. Go to the Blackmagic Design Support page and view the available DaVinci Resolve releases. Locate and download a version that is known to work with your hardware. Install the selected version and test whether CUDA mode is available.