If a device driver isn’t working correctly on Windows, it can be a frustrating and difficult problem to solve. Fortunately, there are several steps that can be taken to identify and rectify the issue.
Firstly, it’s important to determine what type of device driver is not functioning properly. If the driver is part of a new device, such as a printer or USB peripheral, the problem may lie with the device itself. In this case, the device should be checked for up-to-date firmware or software updates and installed if available.
If the device is established, it’s time to begin troubleshooting the driver.
1. Restart the computer: One of the simplest ways to troubleshoot a driver issue is to restart the computer. This will ensure that any faulty configuration settings are reverted back to their default state, which may then allow the driver to function correctly. It’s also a good idea to disconnect any peripheral devices and restart the computer with just the base components to further isolate potential problems.
2. Uninstall and reinstall the device driver: If the problem persists after restarting the computer, it may be necessary to uninstall the driver from the device manager and reinstall it. The device manager can be accessed from the control panel, or by simply typing “Device Manager” into the search bar. Once open, the offending device can be located by expanding the appropriate category, right-clicking on the entry and selecting “Uninstall Device”. The driver can then be reinstalled by heading to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version, or simply running the setup executable.
3. Update the device driver: If the device is still not functioning properly after reinstalling the driver, it is likely that the driver in use is no longer compatible with the system. To rectify this, the driver must be updated. Again, the most reliable way of doing this would be to head to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of the driver. Alternatively, Windows includes an automated driver update system known as Windows Update. By navigating to the “Windows Update” section of the control panel and clicking “Check for updates”, any available driver updates will be identified and installed automatically.
4. Rollback the device driver: In certain cases, an updated driver can cause problems with a system, for example if it proves incompatible with certain hardware or software. As such, rolling back the driver to a version compatible with the system may be a viable option. This can be done by locating the device in the device manager, right clicking and selecting the “Properties” option. From here, select the “Driver” tab and click “Roll Back Driver”.
5. Download the latest device driver from Windows Catalog: Finally, Windows includes a database known as the Windows Catalog. Here, users can find and download the latest device drivers from a variety of manufacturers, as well as detailed instructions on how to install them.
If none of the above methods have solved the problem, it’s likely that the device has a hardware issue. In this case, the device may need to be replaced or repaired. Alternatively, it may be possible to repair the device driver by manually editing the registry, although this should only be attempted by experienced users.