1. Check Device Manager
The first step to troubleshooting driver errors is to check Device Manager for error messages. In the Windows search bar, type in ‘Device Manager’ and click on the resulting icon. Then, look for any listed entries that have a yellow triangle or exclamation mark next to them. The presence of these symbols indicates that the associated device has an issue with its driver.
2. Install/Uninstall Drivers
If Device Manager reveals an issue with the driver, you can try reinstalling or uninstalling it. To uninstall a driver, do the following:
a) Right-click on the entry in Device Manager to access the uninstall option.
b) Restart your computer.
c) Manually find and install the driver again.
If you prefer to update the driver, right-click on the entry in Device Manager and select ‘Update Driver’. You can then select either the automatic or manual option.
3. Update Your Operating System
Sometimes driver errors are caused by outdated or corrupted operating system files. To fix this, you should perform a Windows Update. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and follow the instructions.
4. Reinstall Windows
If all the other steps fail, then reinstalling the entire OS may be necessary. To avoid losing data, backup any important files before attempting this. Once you have done this, find the original install disc if you have one, or download the OS from Microsoft. Then, perform a clean installation by deleting all the existing partitions and reformatting the hard drive. After this is complete, you can start setting up Windows and begin the driver installation process.
5. Use Third-Party Driver Updaters
If you do not want to go through the process of manually updating drivers, then you can use a third-party driver updater program. These programs scan your system for outdated or corrupted drivers and update them automatically. This can be a good way to save time and ensure that all your drivers are kept up to date.
6. Seek Professional Help
If the driver errors continue after attempting the above solutions, then you may need to seek professional help. An experienced technician will be able to assess the situation and recommend a viable solution.