If you are experiencing driver problems in Windows, there are a few methods to troubleshoot and determine the root of the issue. Before attempting any of the following steps, it is best to make sure your operating system is up to date and all the necessary drivers are installed.
1. Check Device Manager: The first step in troubleshooting driver problems is to check Device Manager in Windows. To do this, type “Device Manager” in the search bar or press Windows + X key combination to open Device Manager. Look for any devices that have yellow exclamation marks next to them, which indicate an issue with the driver.
2. Update Drivers Automatically: Windows has a built-in tool for automatically updating device drivers. To use this, type “Devices and Printers” in the search bar and click on the top result. From there, select “View devices and printers” and right-click on any device with a yellow exclamation mark. Select “Update driver software” and then “Search automatically for updated driver software”. Windows will then look for any available driver updates and install them if found.
3. Update Drivers Manually: If the automatic update does not work, you can also manually download and install drivers. To do this, go to the manufacturer’s website and search for your device. Look for the downloads section and select the appropriate driver for your system. Download the driver and then double-click the file to open it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
4. Roll Back Drivers: If the driver you installed does not work properly or causes other issues, you can also roll back to a previous version. To do this, open Device Manager again and right-click on the device with the driver problem. Choose “Properties” and select the “Driver” tab. Click “Roll Back Driver” and follow the on-screen instructions. This will revert the driver back to a previous version.
5. Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers: If rolling back the driver does not help, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. To do this, open Device Manager, right-click on the device and select Uninstall Device. Reboot your computer and then open Device Manager again. Look for the device and select Update Driver Software. This will automatically install the newest version of the driver.
6. Use Windows Troubleshooter: You can also use the Windows Troubleshooter to automatically detect and fix driver errors. To do this, open Settings and then select Update & Security. Click “Troubleshoot” and then look for “Hardware and Devices”. Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions to fix any driver issues.
7. Use Third-Party Software: If you still cannot find a solution to your driver issue, you can also try using third-party software. There are several programs that can be used to scan your system, detect driver errors, and automatically update or reinstall drivers. Many of these programs are free and can be downloaded from the internet.
Keeping your device drivers up to date is essential for a stable and secure system. If you experience any driver related issues, follow the steps outlined above to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.