Nvidia’s incompatibility with Windows has existed for some time and the latest error users are encountering is the Nvidia installer cannot continue on Windows 10. The error generally arises when you try to install an Nvidia graphics driver or during the installation process. Both the error messages “Nvidia Installer cannot continue” and “Nvidia Installer failed” are the same class of error and will not allow you to install the graphics software on your computer.
For some reason, even with the repeated attempts of developers to fix the problem, the errors with Nvidia software always arise. This happens mostly when Microsoft releases a new update for its OS. Hence, it’s a constant battle between Nvidia fixing the issues the new OS built causing it. The error code 0x0001 and 0x0003 are another set of errors that are common with Nvidia software.
We have scoured the web including the Nvidia forum to filer the best solutions that users have suggested, tried them, and added some of our own tweaks which we think are the best solutions to fix the Nvidia installer error on Windows.
Before we proceed to the solution what are the possible causes of the error.
Causes of Nvidia Installer Cannot Continue Error
Although the developers have not commented on the Nvidia installer cannot continue error, guessing from the fix we suspect the primary culprit to be a compatibility issue between the driver software and the OS. As the first course of action, update the driver and the operating system to the latest built. And if the error still persists, you can try our other solutions.
Here are the solutions that have fixed the error for most users.
Solutions that Address the NVIDIA Installer Cannot
Continue Error on Windows 10 and other OS
Here are the top solutions that can help you resolve the error. Try each of the fixes one at a time and between each fix, start the installer to check if the error has disappeared.
Fix 1: Disable Antivirus or End the Running Processes
Your antivirus or the Windows Virus and Threat Protection could be disallowing the Nvidia installer from launching correctly. Sometimes the antivirus can detect the program as a malicious application and terminate its processes. You can resolve the issue by turning off the antivirus or ending all the antivirus processes from the Task Manager. Here are the steps to kill the operations via the Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously or right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Identify all the processes in Background processes related to Windows Defender, Firewall, and Antivirus, and End them one at a time.
- Select each process and click End task.
Now check if the Nvidia installer works. If you find the whole process with the Task Manager a little overwhelming, you can simply disable the antivirus and try the installation.
Fix 2: Update the Graphics Card Drivers and Windows OS
If you have not updated your graphics card or the Windows OS for a while, you might want to consider doing it now. New updates bring fixes that address problems with the old version. This applies to both the graphics card drivers as well as the Windows 10 OS. If you have GeForce Experience installed on your system, you can check for the available update using the software. If you face problem opening the GeForce Experience, you can try our other blog.
Here are the steps to update the graphics drivers manually.
- Press Windows + X simultaneously and select Device Manager.
- Click on Display Adapter and select the Nvidia driver.
- Right-click on the Nvidia driver and select Update driver (If you see the option Enable device, you need to click on it to enable the graphics card as it’s disabled currently).
Next, follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver. If the system does not suggest any new driver. Our next step will show you how to download the latest driver manually. For now, continue with the second part of the fix.
Here are the steps to install the latest Windows update.
- Press Windows Key + I and select Update & Security.
- Click on Check for updates if it’s not turned on for automatic updates. If the system is set for automatic updates, the updates should be available and click Download. If you have a Cumulative Update available, Download and install that as well.
The system will download the install the latest updates. Your system might start several times during the process. Wait for the process to complete and check if the Nvidia installer cannot continue on Windows 10 error still appears.
Fix 3: Update the Graphics Drivers Manually
Often the Windows automatic update fails to suggest the latest update. You can update the system to the latest version of graphics drivers manually. If the above step has failed, try this.
- Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters, right-click on the Nvidia driver and select Uninstall device
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the device and restart the computer.
- Perform the same steps in steps 1 & 2 but instead of select Uninstall device, select Update driver software. You can install the driver from a folder on your computer or you can check online. Once the download has completed, restart the computer.
- Go to the destination where the Nvidia drivers are installed and double-click on the .exe file. Choose Custom install and tick the option that says Perform a clean install. After the process ends, all the components of the driver will be installed.
Fix 4: Start Fresh with Nvidia Graphics Driver
Installation
To perform this step, you have to remove all trace of Nvidia software from your computer and reinstall everything from scratch. This has worked for a lot of users so you must try this to resolve the Nvidia installer cannot continue on Windows 10.
- Press Windows Key + I, click on Apps > Apps & features.
- Locate the Nvidia drivers such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience, NVIDIA Graphics Driver, and NVIDIA Graphics Driver, click on each app and select Uninstall.
After all the Nvidia programs have uninstalled successfully, install everything from scratch and the error should not appear.
Fix 5: Rename the Nvidia Folder to Fix Nvidia Installer Cannot Continue on Windows 10
This might come off as a strange solution, but it was recommended by a user on a forum and when others tried this fix, surprisingly the error was resolved. Here are the steps to perform the fix.
- Open the C drive or wherever the Windows is installed and go to Program Files (x86).
- Locate the folder named NVIDIA Corporation, right-click, and select Rename.
Now, try running the setup and there should be no hiccups this time.
Fix 6: Clear the Redundant Files
If the uninstalling and reinstalling of the Driver has not worked, you may want to remove any redundant files on the system before proceeding with the installation. Visit these directories and remove the files and retry installing the drivers.
- C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\
- C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdsp.inf file
- C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvoclock file
- C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_lh file
- C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\
After deleting these files, restart the computer and try the installation again. You will not see the Nvidia installer cannot continue on Windows 10 error.
If the above fixes have not worked, you may also try checking the Graphics Card hardware is detected correctly. If you require help with this, comment and we will provide the solution.
