Keeping your Windows PC running smoothly often boils down to one critical task: updating your drivers. If you’ve noticed that your computer is slower than usual, crashes unexpectedly, or certain programs aren’t working right, outdated drivers could be the problem.
Updating drivers can seem daunting, especially if you’re not a tech whiz. This guide will simplify the process, helping you understand why it’s important, which drivers need updating, and how to safely update them to ensure your PC runs at its best. But before we get into the specifics, let’s first understand what exactly device drivers on Windows are, and why they are important.
What Are Device Drivers On Windows?
Device drivers are small software programs that allow your computer’s hardware to interact with its operating system. These drivers serve as a bridge between your computer’s physical components, like your keyboard or graphics card, and the Windows operating system. Without them, your hardware wouldn’t be able to communicate or perform its intended functions.
Each hardware component, from the printer to the network adapter, requires a driver. These drivers translate the instructions given by the operating system into commands the hardware can understand. For instance, a graphics driver is needed for your display to show images correctly, while a network driver helps your computer connect to the internet. Also your sound card uses an audio driver to play sound. If these drivers are outdated or missing, your hardware may fail to perform at its best or stop working altogether.
There are several types of device drivers on Windows:
- Kernel-Mode Drivers: These drivers operate at the core level of the operating system. They have complete access to the system’s hardware and resources, and they perform tasks like managing memory and interacting with the processor. Examples include the graphics driver and network adapter driver.
- User-Mode Drivers: These drivers work at a higher level than kernel-mode drivers. They interact with the operating system but don’t have direct access to system hardware. User-mode drivers often manage devices like printers and USB peripherals.
In addition to these, Windows includes built-in drivers, which are automatically installed during setup.
How To Update Drivers On Windows PC?
Keeping your device drivers up to date is important for optimal performance and stability. There are several ways to update drivers on a Windows PC, and each method ensures that your hardware works seamlessly with the latest software. You can rely on Windows Update, use the built-in Device Manager, or download the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website. Each approach has its own benefits, and knowing which method to use can help you keep your system running smoothly.
Update Drivers Using Windows Update
Using Windows Update is one of the simplest methods to update drivers on your PC. Windows regularly checks for new updates, including updates for drivers, and automatically installs them. This ensures your system is using the most compatible drivers for your hardware.
To update drivers through Windows Update, follow these steps:
- Open Settings by pressing the “Windows key + I” on your keyboard.
- In the Settings window, click on “Windows update” if you’re using windows 11 or Click on “Update & Security” and select “Windows Update” if you’re using windows 10.
- Click “Check for updates”. Windows will scan for available updates, including driver updates.
- If any drivers are found, they’ll be downloaded and installed automatically. You might be prompted to restart your computer after the updates are applied.
Using windows update offers convenience as it takes care of finding compatible drivers for your system. However, the drivers provided might not always be the latest versions from the manufacturer. For users looking for the most recent driver versions, other methods like downloading drivers manually from the manufacturer’s website may be preferred.
Update Drivers Manually With Device Manager
Another way to update your drivers is by using the Device Manager, a built-in tool in Windows that lets you manage hardware devices. This method gives you more control over which drivers to update and allows you to manually select the driver file if needed. It’s especially useful when Windows Update doesn’t provide the latest or correct driver for a device. Here’s how you can update your windows drivers:
- Press “Windows key + X” and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
- In the Device Manager window, you’ll see a list of all your hardware components. Locate the device you want to update, like your graphics card or network adapter.
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver.”
- A new window will pop up. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” if you want Windows to find the best driver for your device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. If Windows finds an updated driver, it will install it automatically. Otherwise, it will inform you that the best driver is already installed.
This method is useful for manually checking and ensuring that specific drivers, such as your video drivers or audio drivers, are kept up to date.
Download Updated Drivers From Manufacturers’ Websites
Sometimes, the most reliable way to get the latest drivers for your hardware is by downloading them directly from the manufacturer’s website. This method ensures that you’re getting the most recent version, which might not be available through Windows Update or Device Manager. It’s especially useful for components like graphics cards and network adapters, where the latest driver versions can significantly improve performance. Here’s how to download and install drivers from the manufacturer’s website:
- Identify the manufacturer and model of your hardware. You can find this driver information in Device Manager by right-clicking the device and selecting Properties. Under the Details tab, select Hardware Ids from the dropdown, and use the Vendor and Device IDs to find the exact model.
- Visit the manufacturer’s official website. Look for a Support or Downloads section. Companies like NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, and Realtek often provide direct links for driver downloads.
- Locate the correct driver for your hardware model. Be sure to select the driver that matches your Windows version.
- Once you’ve found the correct driver, click the download link and save the driver file to your PC.
- If the file is compressed (usually a .zip file), extract it to a folder on your PC.
- Go to Device Manager, find the device you want to update, right-click on it, and select “Update driver”.
- Instead of selecting “Search automatically for updated driver software”, choose “Browse my computer for drivers”.
- Click “Browse” and navigate to the folder where you saved the downloaded driver. Select the appropriate file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Once the update is completed, you’ll see a success message.
- Restart your PC to ensure the new driver is properly applied and the hardware functions correctly.
Alternatively…
Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. You may be prompted to restart your PC to apply the changes.
Common Issues While Updating Windows Drivers
Updating Windows drivers can sometimes lead to unexpected issues, despite the process being intended to improve system performance. Below are common problems encountered while updating drivers, along with troubleshooting tips to resolve them.
Driver Fails To Install
- Issue: The most common issue is the failure of the driver to install. This can happen due to compatibility issues or corrupted installation files.
- Troubleshoot: Ensure you’re downloading the correct driver for your hardware and Windows version. If the installation file is corrupted, try re-downloading it from the official source. Also, temporarily disable antivirus software, which may interfere with the installation process.
System Becomes Unstable
- Issue: After updating a driver, your system may become unstable or crash. This often happens when the updated driver is incompatible with your system or has a bug.
- Troubleshoot: Roll back to the previous driver using Device Manager. Right-click on the device, select Properties, then go to the Driver tab and choose Roll Back Driver. Alternatively, use System Restore to revert your PC to a stable state before the update.
Device Not Recognized After Update
- Issue: Sometimes, after updating a driver, the system fails to recognize the device, such as a printer or audio device.
- Troubleshoot: Uninstall the driver using Device Manager and restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the generic driver upon reboot. If the device is still unrecognized, download the driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it manually.
Driver Update Loops
- Issue: Windows repeatedly prompts you to update the same driver, even after you’ve installed it.
- Troubleshoot: This issue can occur if Windows misidentifies the driver. To fix this, disable automatic driver updates by navigating to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware tab > Device Installation Settings. Set it to “No,” and manually manage driver updates going forward.
Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) After Update
- Issue: After updating a driver, you might encounter the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), which can result from faulty drivers.
- Troubleshoot: Boot into Safe Mode by pressing F8 during startup. Once in Safe Mode, roll back the driver using Device Manager or perform a System Restore. You can also check Event Viewer to identify the driver causing the issue.
By addressing these issues, you can avoid major disruptions during driver updates and ensure your system stays functional and stable.
Benefits Of Updating Your Windows Device Drivers
Regularly updating your Windows device drivers brings several advantages to your system’s performance and stability. Keeping your drivers up to date helps ensure that your hardware operates efficiently and is compatible with new software or features. Below are the key benefits of updating your drivers:
- Improved Performance: Updated drivers can enhance the performance of your hardware, particularly when it comes to graphics cards and network adapters. For example, updating your graphics driver can lead to better video rendering, improved gaming experiences, and smoother video playback.
- Increased Stability: Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause system crashes or hardware malfunctions. Updating your drivers ensures that bugs and vulnerabilities are patched, leading to a more stable and reliable system. This reduces the chance of errors like the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and other unexpected shutdowns.
- Better Security: Driver updates often come with security patches that protect your system from vulnerabilities. Hardware manufacturers regularly release updates to close security loopholes, which could otherwise be exploited by malware or hackers.
- Compatibility With New Software And Features: New software releases, especially operating system updates, may require the latest drivers to function properly. Without updated drivers, your system might not be able to run the latest programs, games, or applications. Keeping drivers updated ensures smooth compatibility with new software features and hardware components.
- Extended Hardware Lifespan: Updating your drivers ensures that your hardware continues to operate effectively, which can extend its useful life. Properly functioning drivers help prevent overheating, wear and tear, and other issues that can shorten the lifespan of your hardware components.
Regular driver updates not only keep your system running smoothly but also help you take full advantage of the latest features and improvements offered by your hardware manufacturers.
Signs That Your Device Drivers Needs Update
It’s important to recognize when your device drivers are outdated or malfunctioning. Here are common signs that indicate your drivers need an update:
- Frequent System Crashes Or BSOD: If your system frequently crashes or shows the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), outdated or corrupt drivers may be the cause.
- Hardware Not Functioning Properly: Devices like printers, scanners, or sound cards may stop working or perform poorly due to outdated drivers.
- Slow Or Lagging Performance: New applications or games may not run smoothly or at all on your PC, indicating the need to update drivers for compatibility with the latest software.
- Error Messages During Startup Or Use: If you encounter error messages related to specific hardware components, it’s a sign that your drivers might be out of date.
- Sudden Loss Of Sound Or Display Issues: If your audio stops working, or you notice flickering or low-resolution displays, it may indicate the need to update your audio or graphics drivers.
- Unrecognized Devices: When your PC fails to recognize newly connected devices like external drives or USB peripherals, an outdated driver might be the reason.
- Network Connectivity Problems: If you experience frequent network disconnections or slow internet speeds, your network adapter driver might need updating.
- Check Device manager: You can check driver status through Device Manager in Windows. Right-click on the Start button, select Device Manager, and check for any devices with a yellow triangle, indicating a driver issue.
FAQs:
Some drivers update automatically through Windows Update, but not all. For specialized components like graphics cards, you may need to manually update through the manufacturer’s website.
Installing the wrong driver can cause the hardware to malfunction or become unusable. If this happens, you can revert to the previous driver using Device Manager by selecting Roll Back Driver.
Yes, in most cases, restarting your PC is necessary to complete the driver installation and ensure proper functionality.
A signed driver is verified by Microsoft for security and compatibility. An unsigned driver hasn’t been tested by Microsoft and may pose a security risk or cause system instability.
A driver signature is a digital certificate that verifies the authenticity and integrity of a driver. It ensures the driver is safe, hasn’t been tampered with, and is from a trusted source.
A driver update focuses on specific hardware components like your printer or graphics card, while a BIOS update affects the motherboard’s firmware, which manages core system functions. Both are important, but serve different purposes.
For gaming PCs, it’s best to update drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website, especially for graphics cards like NVIDIA or AMD. These manufacturers release optimized drivers for new games and performance enhancements.
Conclusion
That’s how easy it is to update your drivers on Windows PCs! By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your computer is running at its optimal performance and avoid any compatibility issues. Did you find this guide helpful? If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to share them in the comments below.
