AMD has released a new driver update specifically for its older Polaris and Vega graphics card lineups. The release shares the same version number as the main Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 driver that launched earlier in May 2026, but this build targets only legacy hardware that AMD officially stopped supporting in 2023.
If you use a Radeon RX 400 series, RX 500 series, RX Vega, or Radeon VII card and have been running into crashes in Apex Legends, this update is built for you.
What AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 Driver Fixes for Polaris and Vega
This release includes one bug fix:
Intermittent application crash while playing Apex Legends on Radeon RX 400 and RX 500 series graphics cards.
The driver does not carry the new game support features or additional fixes from the standard Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 release for modern Radeon cards. AMD built this update purely to address the Apex Legends crash on Polaris hardware. No known issues are listed in this release.
Supported Graphics Cards
AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 for Polaris and Vega supports these discrete Radeon products:
- Radeon VII
- Radeon RX Vega Series Graphics
- AMD Radeon Pro Duo
- Radeon RX 500 / Radeon 500X Series Graphics
- Radeon RX 400 Series Graphics
For laptops, the driver supports AMD Radeon 600 Series Graphics.
AMD also lists compatibility for desktop and mobile Ryzen processors with Radeon graphics, Ryzen PRO processors, Athlon processors with Radeon graphics, and Athlon PRO processors.
Laptop and AIO users: AMD recommends installing the OEM-provided drivers first, as manufacturers customize and validate those for your system. If you run into issues with the AMD.com package, switch to your OEM driver for full support and compatibility. This driver does not include support for handheld gaming devices.
Compatible Operating Systems
This driver supports:
- Windows 11 version 21H2 and later
- Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 and later
The package includes driver version 23.19.25.01, with Windows Driver Store Version 31.0.21925.1001. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 builds passed WHQL testing and received Microsoft Certification.
Note: This driver does not support AMD Radeon products running on Apple Boot Camp platforms. Contact your system manufacturer for driver support in that case.
How to Download AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2 for Polaris and Vega
You can get the driver in two ways:
- Through the AMD Software app: Open AMD Software on a supported device. The update appears automatically if your hardware qualifies.
- Standalone download: Visit the official AMD release notes page and use the direct download link listed there.
How to Install AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.5.2
Follow these steps to install cleanly:
- Close all open applications before starting.
- Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall, remote access, and streaming services to avoid installation conflicts.
- Open the downloaded setup file and click Install to unpack the setup files. Use the default install location.
- The AMD Software Installer launches automatically and checks your system for compatibility.
- Review and accept the End User License Agreement to continue.
- Click Install for default settings, or click Additional Options to choose:
- Full Install for all AMD Software features including performance tweaking, recording, and streaming controls
- Minimal Install for basic controls only
- Driver Only for no user interface
- Wait for the installation to complete. Your display may flicker briefly while the driver applies.
- Click Restart to finish.
If you are downgrading from a newer version, AMD recommends running the AMD Cleanup Utility before installing this build to remove all prior versions cleanly.
If you run into a blue screen after installing a graphics driver, boot into Safe Mode, remove the driver using the AMD Cleanup Utility, and repeat the steps above.
Why AMD Still Updates Polaris and Vega Drivers
AMD officially ended support for Polaris and Vega GPU architectures in 2023. However, the company continues to release occasional updates when critical issues appear. This Apex Legends crash fix is one of those targeted releases.
If you rely on automatic driver update software to manage your hardware, check whether your tool detects legacy AMD driver packages. Some utilities focus only on current-generation hardware and may miss updates like this one. The best driver update tools for Windows 11 guide covers options that work across both new and older hardware.
It is also worth knowing that Windows 11 now automatically rolls back bad drivers before they crash your PC, using a feature called Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery. This adds a useful safety net when you install any driver update.
For AMD chipset drivers on newer hardware, see the guide on how to download and install AMD chipset drivers on Windows 11.
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