Driver conflicts often occur when incompatible drivers are installed or when the current version of a device driver is outdated. These conflicts are usually caused by either hardware conflicts or software conflicts between different devices and/or programs on your computer. In order to prevent and resolve driver conflicts, you need to be aware of what type of conflict exists and how best to correct it.
1. Identifying Driver Conflicts
When a driver conflict exists, the system will usually inform you with the occurrence of a “blue screen of death” or a “stop error” in the Windows system log. These messages contain an error code, which can be further examined to identify which driver caused the conflict. In some cases, an exclamation point will also appear next to a device listed in Device Manager.
2. Removing Old Drivers
The primary cause of driver conflicts is the presence of old or outdated device drivers. It is important to remove any old or unnecessary device drivers from your system. To do this, access the Control Panel and open the “System” utility. Select the “Hardware” tab and click on “Device Manager.” Scroll down to the device that is causing a conflict and right click on it. Select the “Uninstall” option and follow the instructions to remove the device’s driver. Once the driver has been removed, restart your computer and install the most up-to-date driver for the device.
3. Check For Software Updates
Outdated versions of software applications can also create driver conflicts. Make sure all of your installed software applications are updated to the latest version available. To check for software updates, open the software program and select “Help” and “Check for Updates.” If an update is available, install it and restart your computer.
4. Troubleshoot Hardware Conflicts
Device driver conflicts can also be caused by hardware conflicts. When two or more devices are attempting to use the same resources, the computer can become unstable or the devices will not function correctly. To troubleshoot hardware conflicts, open the Device Manager and look for any devices with set conflicts or yellow exclamation points next to their names. Right-click on each device that is indicated as having a conflict and select “Properties”. Click on the “Resources” tab and change the settings for the conflicting resources.
5. Use Driver Scanners
If you are unable to determine what is causing a driver conflict, you may want to try using a driver scanner. Driver scanners are specialized applications that search your system for outdated, incorrect, or missing device drivers and suggest appropriate replacements. Before using a driver scanner, make sure it is compatible with your system and is from a trusted source.
6. Reinstall Windows
Sometimes, a driver conflict can become so severe that the only way to fix it is to reinstall the operating system. Before attempting to reinstall Windows, make sure you have backed up all of your important data as the reinstallation process will erase all data stored on the hard drive. If possible, run Microsoft’s System Restore feature to restore your previous operating system before it began having conflicts. This should keep your data intact while resolving the driver conflicts.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve driver conflicts with Windows software. In extreme cases, you may need to reinstall the operating system or call in technical support for assistance.