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 USB device or turn on your computer, Windows uses drivers to understand what that hardware is and what it can do.

Manufacturers release driver updates to fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, or patch security problems. An outdated driver can cause crashes, slow performance, devices that stop working, or security gaps. Most people need to update drivers once or twice a year, though some hardware (like graphics cards) benefits from more frequent updates if you game or do video work.

Windows itself updates some drivers automatically through Windows Update, but not all. Manufacturers often release newer versions on their own websites before Windows gets them. The three main ways to update are through Windows Update, Device Manager, or the manufacturer's website — each works best in different situations.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Update handles many drivers automatically, but you can also check manually by opening Settings, going to Update & Security, and clicking Check for Updates.
  • Device Manager shows you every piece of hardware on your PC and lets you update drivers one at a time by right-clicking the device and selecting Update Driver.
  • The manufacturer's website (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, Realtek, etc.) often has newer drivers than Windows Update, especially for graphics cards and network adapters.
  • Before updating, restart your computer and note your hardware model — you can find it in Device Manager or by running System Information.
  • If an update causes problems, you can roll back to the previous driver version through Device Manager without losing your files.

Finding your hardware model before you update

Before you read anything, you need to know exactly what hardware you have. The easiest way is to open Device Manager, which shows every piece of hardware Windows recognizes. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager," then open it.

Look for the category you want to update — Graphics Adapters (your video card), Network Adapters (your internet connection), Sound, Video and Game Controllers (audio), or Chipset (motherboard). Click the arrow next to the category to expand it, then right-click the device and select Properties. The Device tab shows the model name and manufacturer. Write this down or take a screenshot.

If Device Manager shows a yellow exclamation mark next to a device, that hardware is not working properly and updating the driver is often the fix. If you see "Unknown Device," that means Windows does not recognize the hardware at all — you will need to visit the manufacturer's website to find the right driver.

Updating drivers through Windows Update

Windows Update is the safest starting point because Microsoft tests drivers before pushing them out. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click Update & Security on the left side. Click Check for Updates and wait while Windows searches.

If updates are found, Windows will show them and ask you to restart. Click Install Now and let your computer restart — this usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off your computer during this process. After restart, Windows will finish installing and you are done.

The downside is that Windows Update is slower than manufacturer updates. If you need the latest driver for a graphics card or network adapter, you may need to go to the manufacturer's website instead. Check back in Settings every few weeks to see if new driver updates appear.

Updating drivers through Device Manager

Device Manager lets you update one driver at a time and gives you more control. Open Device Manager (Windows key + type "Device Manager"), find the hardware you want to update, right-click it, and select Update Driver.

Windows will ask whether you want it to search automatically or browse your computer. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and Windows will check its own database and Windows Update. This takes 30 seconds to a few minutes. If a newer driver is found, Windows downloads and installs it, then asks you to restart.

If Windows says the driver is already up to date but you want to try a newer one from the manufacturer, choose "Browse my computer for driver software" instead. You will need to have already downloaded the driver file from the manufacturer's website and saved it to a folder on your PC. Navigate to that folder and click Next to install it.

Downloading and installing drivers from the manufacturer

For the newest drivers, especially for graphics cards and network adapters, go to the manufacturer's website directly. Common manufacturers are NVIDIA (graphics), AMD (graphics and chipsets), Intel (chipsets and network), Realtek (audio), and Broadcom (network). Search "[your hardware brand] drivers" in Google and look for the official support page.

On the manufacturer's website, find the Support or Downloads section. You will need to enter your hardware model (the one you found in Device Manager) and your Windows version (10 or 11). read the driver file — it will usually be a .exe file or a .zip file. If it is a .zip, extract it to a folder first.

Double-click the .exe file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts — most installers are straightforward and just ask you to click Next and Finish. The installer will copy files, update your system, and usually ask you to restart. Restart your computer and the new driver is active. This process takes 5 to 20 minutes depending on the driver size.

What to do if a driver update causes problems

If your computer crashes, a device stops working, or performance gets worse after an update, you can roll back to the previous driver. Open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, and select Properties. Click the Driver tab, then click Roll Back Driver. Windows will remove the new driver and restore the old one, then ask you to restart.

Roll Back Driver only works if you have not restarted your computer too many times since the update — usually it works for a few days. If the button is grayed out, the old driver is no longer available and you will need to read the previous version from the manufacturer's website instead.

If rolling back does not fix the problem, restart your computer in Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart in the power menu, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings). Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, which can help you diagnose whether the new driver is the real problem. From Safe Mode, you can uninstall the driver completely and let Windows use a generic one until you sort out the issue.

Drivers you should update first

If you have many outdated drivers, start with the ones that affect your daily experience. Graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) should be updated if you game, edit video, or use design software — these get new features and performance fixes often. Network drivers (Realtek, Intel, Broadcom) matter if your internet is slow or unstable. Chipset drivers (Intel, AMD) are the foundation for your motherboard and should be updated once a year.

Audio drivers (Realtek, Conexant) are worth updating if you hear crackling, no sound, or low volume. Printer and scanner drivers only matter if you use those devices. USB and storage drivers rarely need updating unless you have a specific problem. Start with graphics and network, then move to the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I update my drivers?

Most drivers do not need updating more than once or twice a year. Graphics drivers are the exception — if you game or do video work, check for updates monthly. Windows Update will notify you of critical updates automatically, so you do not have to hunt for them.

Is it safe to update all drivers at once?

Yes, updating multiple drivers is safe. Windows Update does this regularly. If you are updating from the manufacturer's website, install them one at a time and restart between each one — this makes it easier to spot which driver caused a problem if something goes wrong.

What if I cannot find my hardware model?

Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, and click the Details tab. Change the dropdown to "Hardware IDs" and you will see a code like "PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_2504" — paste this into Google along with the word "driver" and you will find the right manufacturer and model.

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

No. The installer will replace the old driver automatically. Uninstalling first is only necessary if you are switching to a different manufacturer (like going from NVIDIA to AMD graphics) or if an update failed and you want a clean start.

Can outdated drivers slow down my computer?

Yes, especially graphics and network drivers. Outdated graphics drivers can cause stuttering in games and slow video editing. Outdated network drivers can reduce internet speed. Chipset drivers affect overall system stability. Updating them often improves performance noticeably.