How to Update Device Drivers in Windows 11 & 10 (Official & Safe Methods) 2026

Device drivers enable Windows to communicate with your computer’s hardware, including your graphics card, network adapter, printer, audio device, and other peripherals. While Windows 11 and Windows 10 automatically install most drivers, outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers can sometimes cause hardware problems, frequent crashes, Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, or issues after installing a Windows update. Updating device drivers fixes such problems, ensures hardware compatibility, and improves overall system performance. In this guide, you’ll learn the official and safest ways to update device drivers in Windows 11 and Windows 10 using Windows Update, Device Manager, and your hardware manufacturer’s tools.

Before You Update Device Drivers

Windows automatically installs compatible drivers for most hardware, so you don’t need to update every device driver. If your computer is working normally, it’s usually best to leave your drivers unchanged.

However, updating a driver is recommended if a device isn’t working properly, you’re experiencing crashes or Blue Screen (BSOD) errors, or a hardware manufacturer has released an update to fix bugs, improve performance, or add compatibility for newer Windows versions.

You can also check whether a device has a driver problem using Device Manager:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the hardware category you want to inspect.
3. Look for a device with a yellow exclamation mark or listed as an Unknown device.

These indicators usually mean Windows has detected a driver problem. In many cases, updating or reinstalling the affected driver resolves the issue.

Method 1: Update Device Drivers Using Windows Update

Windows Update is the safest and easiest way to update device drivers in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft regularly provides tested and compatible drivers for hardware such as graphics cards, network adapters, Bluetooth devices, audio devices, printers, and other peripherals.

If you’re not sure which driver to update, using Windows Update is the safest option as it automatically installs compatible drivers for your system.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If driver updates are available, Windows will download and install them automatically.
5. Restart your computer to complete the installation.

Check Optional Driver Updates

Some hardware drivers are released as Optional Updates instead of being installed automatically.

• Open Settings > Windows Update.
• Click Advanced options.
• Select Optional updates.

• Expand Driver updates.
• Select the driver updates you want to install.
• Click Download & install.
• Restart your PC after the installation finishes.

Tip: Windows Update installs stable, Microsoft-tested drivers for most hardware. If you’re looking for the latest features, performance improvements, or bug fixes for specific hardware, check your device manufacturer’s official website.

Method 2: Update Device Drivers Using Device Manager

Device Manager lets you view and manage all the hardware installed on your computer. If Windows Update doesn’t install a newer driver, you can use Device Manager to search for an updated driver for a specific device, such as a graphics card, network adapter, Bluetooth adapter, printer, or audio device.

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand the category that contains the device you want to update (for example, Display adapters, Network adapters, or Sound, video and game controllers).
• Right-click the device and select Update driver.
• Click Search automatically for drivers.
• If Windows finds a newer compatible driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
• Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Install a Driver You’ve Already Downloaded

If you’ve already downloaded a driver from the manufacturer’s website:

1. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
2. Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
3. Click Browse and select the folder containing the downloaded driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Note: Only install drivers that are designed for your device model and Windows version. Installing an incompatible driver may cause hardware to stop working properly.

Advanced: After selecting Browse my computer for drivers, you can choose Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer to manually select a compatible driver. This option is mainly used for troubleshooting or when installing a specific driver version.

Method 3: Update Device Drivers from the Manufacturer

If Windows Update or Device Manager can’t find a newer driver, downloading it directly from the hardware manufacturer’s website is often the best option. Manufacturers regularly release updated drivers that include bug fixes, performance improvements, security updates, and support for new Windows features.

Always download drivers from the official manufacturer or your PC manufacturer’s support website to avoid installing incorrect or potentially unsafe software.

Update Intel Drivers

Intel provides Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel DSA), which automatically detects your hardware and installs the latest compatible drivers for Intel graphics, wireless adapters, Bluetooth, and other Intel components.

• Download and install Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
• Launch the application or open the Intel Driver & Support Assistant webpage.
• Allow the tool to scan your computer.
• Download and install any recommended driver updates.
• Restart your PC after the installation.

Intel Driver & Support Assistant can also update Intel chipset drivers, which helps improve communication between Windows and motherboard components.

Note: You can also download drivers manually from Intel’s official support website if you prefer not to use Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

Update NVIDIA Drivers

If your PC uses an NVIDIA graphics card, update it using the NVIDIA App or by downloading the latest driver from NVIDIA’s official website.

1. Install and open the NVIDIA App.
2. Check for available driver updates.
3. Download and install the recommended Game Ready or Studio driver.
4. Restart your computer after installation.

Tip: Choose Game Ready Driver for gaming or Studio Driver if you primarily use creative applications such as video editing or 3D design.

Update AMD Drivers

AMD users can update drivers using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.

1. Install and launch AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
2. Check for available updates.
3. Download and install the latest recommended driver.
4. Restart your PC.

AMD Software can also provide chipset driver updates for supported AMD motherboards.

Tip: AMD offers Recommended (WHQL) and Optional drivers. Most users should install the Recommended version for the best stability.

Update Realtek Drivers

Realtek drivers are commonly used for audio and network adapters. If you’re experiencing sound or connectivity issues, download the latest driver from the Realtek website or your PC manufacturer’s support page.

Tip: For laptops, it’s usually best to install Realtek drivers provided by your PC manufacturer because they may include device-specific optimizations.

Update Drivers for Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and Other Laptops

Laptop manufacturers often customize drivers for features such as power management, touchpads, function keys, and audio. Using the manufacturer’s update utility ensures you receive drivers that have been tested for your specific model.

Popular update tools include:

• Dell: Dell Command | Update or SupportAssist
• HP: HP Support Assistant
• Lenovo: Lenovo Vantage
• ASUS: MyASUS
• Acer: Acer Care Center

Launch the appropriate utility, check for available updates, install the recommended drivers, and restart your computer if prompted.

Method 4: Should You Use Driver Updater Tools?

Third-party driver updater tools can scan your computer for outdated drivers and install updates automatically. While they may save time, they aren’t necessary for most Windows users.

Popular driver update tools

Some commonly used tools include:

• Driver Booster by IObit – Scans for outdated drivers and updates them with one click.
• Driver Easy – Finds, downloads, and installs drivers with a simple interface.
• Driver Talent – Detects outdated, missing, or faulty drivers and can backup drivers.
• DriverIdentifier – Portable tool that scans your system and gives direct download links.

However, some tools may recommend unnecessary updates, require a paid subscription, or install drivers that haven’t been tested for your specific hardware.

For most users, Windows Update, Device Manager, and your hardware manufacturer’s official software are the safest and most reliable ways to update device drivers.

If you decide to use a driver updater tool:

• Create a System Restore point before making changes.
• Download the software only from its official website.
• Review the recommended driver updates instead of installing everything automatically.
• Restart your computer after the update is complete.

Recommendation: We recommend using third-party driver updater tools only when you can’t find the required driver through Windows Update or the hardware manufacturer’s official support website.

How to Reinstall a Device Driver

If updating a device driver doesn’t fix the problem, reinstalling it can help resolve issues caused by corrupted, missing, or incorrectly installed driver files.

Step 1: Download the Latest Driver (Optional)

If you plan to install the latest driver manually, download it from your hardware or PC manufacturer’s official website before uninstalling the current driver.

Step 2: Uninstall the Current Driver

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category that contains the device you want to reinstall.
3. Right-click the device and select Uninstall device.
4. If available, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
5. Click Uninstall.

Step 3: Restart Your Computer

Restart your PC. Windows will automatically detect the hardware and reinstall a compatible driver. If Windows doesn’t reinstall the driver, run the installer you downloaded in Step 1.

Step 4: Verify the Device

After Windows starts, check that the device is working correctly. If necessary, install the latest driver downloaded from the manufacturer’s website and restart your computer again.

How to Roll Back a Driver

If a device stops working correctly after installing a new driver, rolling back to the previous version can often restore normal operation. Windows allows you to revert to the last installed driver without manually downloading an older version.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category that contains the affected device.
3. Right-click the device and select Properties.
4. Open the Driver tab.
5. Click Roll Back Driver (if available).
6. Select a reason to roll back the driver, then click Yes.
7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Note: If the Roll Back Driver button is grayed out, Windows doesn’t have a previous driver version available. In that case, download an earlier driver from your hardware or PC manufacturer’s official support website, or use System Restore if the problem started recently.

How to Verify a Driver Update

After updating a device driver, verify that the new version was installed successfully and that the hardware is working correctly.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category that contains the updated device.
3. Right-click the device and select Properties.
4. Open the Driver tab.
5. Check the Driver Provider, Driver Version, and Driver Date to confirm the update.

You can also compare the installed driver version with the latest version available on your hardware manufacturer’s official support website. If the version numbers match, the driver has been updated successfully.

Finally, test the device to ensure it’s working as expected. For example, connect to Wi-Fi, play audio, print a document, or launch a graphics-intensive application, depending on the hardware you updated.

Best Practices for Updating Device Drivers

Following a few best practices can help you avoid driver-related problems and keep your Windows PC running smoothly.

• Update drivers only when necessary. If your computer is working properly, you don’t need to install every new driver release.
• Use Windows Update first. It’s the safest way to install Microsoft-tested and compatible drivers for most hardware.
• Download drivers from official sources only. When updating manually, use your hardware or PC manufacturer’s official support website.
• Install the correct driver for your device. Always verify your hardware model and Windows version before downloading a driver.
• Restart your computer after updating a driver. This allows Windows to load the new driver correctly.
• Create a System Restore point before updating drivers. It gives you a way to recover if a newly installed driver causes problems.
• Avoid installing multiple drivers at the same time. Update one device at a time so it’s easier to identify the cause if a problem occurs.
• Keep Windows up to date. Many stable driver updates are delivered through Windows Update along with security and feature updates.

Frequently Asked Questions