Unfortunately, driver software can become unstable and crash from time to time, but there are a few steps you can take to try to stop it from crashing.
1. Update Drivers Frequently
The first thing to do is make sure you keep your driver software up to date. Newer versions of drivers often fix bugs and stability issues, so installing the latest version can help prevent crashes. Most companies release updates for their drivers periodically, so check with the manufacturer or download the driver from the official website if you’re not sure if you have the latest version.
2. Check for System Conflicts
Another common cause of driver crashes is system conflicts. Sometimes two pieces of hardware or software installed on your computer will conflict with each other, causing the driver to become unstable and crash. To check for conflicts, right click on “My Computer” and select “Device Manager.” Double click on each device listed and look at the “Conflicts/Sharing” tab. If you see any conflicts listed, try finding an updated driver or uninstalling the conflicting device.
3. Uninstall and Re-Install Drivers
If updating and removing conflicts don’t work, you can try uninstalling and re-installing the driver software. To uninstall the driver, open “Device Manager” and double click on the device in question. Then select the “Uninstall” button. You may have to reboot your computer for the uninstallation to take effect. After that, you can download and install the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website.
4. Disable Unnecessary Services
Sometimes third-party services running in the background can interfere with driver software and cause it to crash. To check for this, open “Task Manager” (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and select the “Services” tab. If you see any unnecessary services running that could be related to the driver in question, select it and click “Stop.” It’s also a good idea to check the “Startup” tab in Task Manager and disable any unnecessary programs that might be running in the background.
5. Scan for Viruses and Spyware
Viruses and spyware can also interfere with driver software and cause it to crash. To check for this, run a full system scan with your anti-virus or anti-spyware program. If any malicious software is found, follow the instructions to remove it.
These are just a few steps you can take to try to stop your driver software from crashing. If none of these steps work, you may need to contact the manufacturer for more support.