In order to restore drivers after a hardware problem, you will need to first identify the exact problem. Depending on the severity and complexity of the hardware issue, the steps you take to resolve it and restore drivers may vary. However, there are some general steps that you can follow in order to try and fix the issue and restore driver functionality.
1. Identify the Hardware Problem
The first step to restoring drivers after a hardware problem is to identify the exact cause of the issue. In some cases, such as with a broken screen or damaged port, the cause may be obvious. However, other issues such as software conflicts or faulty hardware can require some additional investigation.
Start by checking the error messages that you may have received from your computer. Are there any clues as to what might have caused the problem?
If not, try running a diagnostic program to check for any hardware or software anomalies. This will help you to identify the exact cause of the issue.
2. Update Your Drivers
Once you have identified the exact cause of the issue, the next step is to update your drivers. If you are using a Windows PC, simply go to the Device Manager and look for any devices that have a yellow exclamation mark next to their name. These devices will be the ones which require updating.
Right click on each device and select “Update Driver Software”. Follow the prompts to search the internet for the most recent version of the driver and install it.
If you are using a Mac, the process is slightly different. Start by going to the Apple menu and selecting “System Preferences”. Then, go to the “Software Update” section and check for any new updates that may be available.
3. Reset Your Computer
If updating the drivers did not solve the issue, you may need to reset your computer to factory settings. This will erase all of your data, so make sure to back up anything important before you do this.
On a Windows PC, go to the “Recovery” options in the Control Panel and select “Reset this PC”. Then, follow the instructions to reset your computer.
On a Mac, go to the “Restore” option in the Apple menu and select “Erase all content and settings”. Again, follow the instructions to reset your computer.
4. Reinstall Drivers
Once your computer has been reset, you will need to reinstall the drivers that were causing the hardware problem. If you know the exact model of the hardware device, simply go to the manufacturer’s website and download the most recent driver version available.
If you are not sure which driver you need, try running a diagnostic program to detect any missing drivers on your system. Once you have downloaded the correct driver version, install it and restart your computer.
5. Run ScanDisk
Finally, you may need to run a scan disk to check for any hard drive errors that may have caused the hardware problem in the first place. To do this, go to the “Properties” section of your hard drive in the Device Manager and click on the “Tools” tab. Select “Check Now” and follow the instructions to run a scan disk.
Hopefully, following these steps will help you to restore drivers after a hardware problem. If you are still having issues, however, contact a qualified repair professional for assistance.