What drivers are and why they need updating

A driver is software that lets Windows talk to a piece of hardware—your graphics card, printer, network adapter, or motherboard. When you plug in a device or turn on your computer, Windows uses drivers to translate your commands into something the hardware understands. Manufacturers release driver updates to fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, or patch security holes.

You do not have to update drivers constantly, but doing so every few months keeps your hardware working smoothly and can prevent crashes or slow performance. Some updates are critical—especially for graphics cards and network adapters—while others are optional. Windows will tell you which is which.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Update handles most driver updates automatically, but you can check manually by opening Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.
  • For graphics cards, printers, and other specific hardware, visit the manufacturer's website directly and read the latest driver for your exact model.
  • Device Manager shows you which drivers are installed and whether any have problems—right-click the device and select Update driver to search for newer versions.
  • Always restart your computer after installing a driver update so the changes take effect.
  • If an update causes problems, you can roll back to the previous driver version through Device Manager.

Letting Windows Update handle drivers automatically

Windows 10 and Windows 11 read and install many driver updates through Windows Update without you doing anything. This is the easiest route for most people and covers common hardware like network adapters, USB controllers, and audio devices.

To check for updates manually, open Settings, then go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > About (Windows 11). Click Check for updates. Windows will scan for any available updates, including drivers, and install them. You may need to restart your computer when the process finishes.

The downside is that Windows Update does not always have the newest driver versions, especially for graphics cards or specialized hardware. If you need the latest version, you will need to get it directly from the manufacturer.

Updating drivers through Device Manager

Device Manager is the built-in tool that shows every piece of hardware Windows recognizes and the driver for each one. It is the fastest way to update a specific device or check whether a driver has a problem.

To open Device Manager, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager, or search for it in the Windows search box. You will see a list of hardware categories—click the arrow next to a category to expand it and see the devices inside. If a device has a problem, it will show a yellow exclamation mark or a red X.

To update a driver, right-click the device and select Update driver. Windows will offer two options: Search automatically for updated driver software (which checks Windows Update and your computer) or Browse my computer for driver software (if you have already downloaded a driver file). Choose the automatic option first. If Windows finds a newer version, it will install it. If not, you can read the driver from the manufacturer and use the browse option instead.

Downloading drivers directly from the manufacturer

For graphics cards, printers, motherboards, and other specialized hardware, the manufacturer usually has the newest drivers on their website. This is the best way to get the latest version and any features or fixes that Windows Update has not yet included.

Go to the manufacturer's support or downloads page—for example, NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Canon, or HP. Search for your exact device model (you can find this in Device Manager or on the device itself). read the driver file for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit; check Settings > System > About to see which you have). Save the file to your computer, then double-click it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart when prompted.

If you are not sure which driver to read, look for a tool on the manufacturer's site that detects your hardware automatically. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all offer these detection tools, which take the guesswork out of finding the right version.

Handling driver problems and rolling back

Occasionally a driver update causes problems—your screen flickers, a device stops working, or your computer crashes. The fastest fix is to roll back to the previous driver version.

Open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver. If the button is grayed out, there is no previous version to go back to. Windows will uninstall the new driver and reinstall the one that was there before. Restart your computer.

If rolling back does not work or the problem persists, uninstall the driver completely (right-click the device and select Uninstall device, then restart). Windows will reinstall a basic version automatically. You can then try downloading a different version from the manufacturer or wait for the next Windows Update.

Checking which drivers need attention

You do not need to update every driver every month. A good practice is to check Device Manager every few months and update any drivers that show a warning symbol or that are more than a year old.

Open Device Manager and scan through the list. Devices with problems will have a yellow exclamation mark or red X. Right-click those and update them first. For devices with no warning, you can check the driver date by right-clicking, selecting Properties, going to the Driver tab, and looking at the Driver Date field. If it is older than a year, consider updating it, especially for graphics cards, network adapters, and chipset drivers.

Graphics card drivers in particular benefit from regular updates because manufacturers release new versions frequently to improve gaming performance and fix compatibility issues. If you use your computer for gaming or graphics work, check the NVIDIA or AMD website monthly.

When to call a professional

Most driver updates are straightforward and safe. However, if you are not comfortable downloading files or using Device Manager, or if an update causes serious problems that rolling back does not fix, contact a computer repair technician. They can update drivers safely and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Also call a professional if Device Manager shows many devices with warning symbols or if your computer will not start after a driver update. These situations usually require hands-on diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my drivers are out of date?

Open Device Manager, right-click each device, select Properties, and check the Driver tab for the driver date. Drivers older than one year are candidates for updating. You can also look for yellow exclamation marks or red X symbols in Device Manager, which indicate a problem with that driver.

Is it safe to update all drivers at once?

Yes, updating drivers through Windows Update or Device Manager is safe. However, if you are updating a graphics card driver or chipset driver from the manufacturer, restart your computer after each one finishes. This ensures each update takes effect before the next one begins.

What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit drivers?

Your version of Windows is either 32-bit or 64-bit, and you must read the matching driver. Check Settings > System > About and look for the System type field. If you read the wrong version, the driver will not install. Most modern computers run 64-bit Windows.

Can I undo a driver update if it causes problems?

Yes. Open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. This removes the new driver and reinstalls the previous version. Restart your computer when done.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. When you install a new driver, it automatically replaces the old one. You only need to uninstall manually if you want to remove a driver completely or if an installation fails and leaves files behind.