1. Update Drivers Automatically
2. Install the Latest Windows Updates
Another way to fix driver errors on Windows is to ensure that the latest Windows updates are installed. Windows regularly releases important security and feature updates that not only help keep your system secure but also often contain important driver updates as well. To install the latest Windows updates, open the Start menu and type ‘Windows Update’ into the search box. Click on the ‘Check for Updates’ option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest updates.
3. Disable Automatically Installing Drivers
Windows can sometimes automatically install drivers when it detects hardware connected to the system. This is usually beneficial as it means you don’t need to manually download and install the correct drivers but can lead to driver errors if the wrong drivers are installed. You can turn off this feature by opening the Device Manager (Start > type ‘Device Manager’ into the search box). Right-click on each entry, select ‘Properties’ and then uncheck the box that says ‘Install Driver Software from Windows Update if it is available’.
4. Roll Back Drivers
If your system is experiencing frequent driver errors after installing a new driver version, you can try rolling back to the previous version. This will revert the driver back to the older version which was working correctly and can often resolve issues caused by incompatible or buggy drivers. To roll back a driver in Windows, right-click on the entry in the Device Manager and select ‘Properties’. Then click on the ‘Driver’ tab and select ‘Roll Back Driver’. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
5. Use System Restore
If your system has been experiencing several driver errors after installing the latest Windows updates, you can try reverting back to a previous state using System Restore. This will restore your system to a date when the driver errors were not present. To open System Restore, type ‘System Restore’ into the search box and select it from the list of results. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the process.
6. Reinstall Problem Drivers
In some cases, the best way to fix driver errors on Windows is to simply uninstall and reinstall the problematic driver. This will reset the driver back to its original settings and can resolve any conflicts or incompatibilities that may have arisen between the driver and other components. To reinstall a driver in Windows, open the Device Manager and right-click on the entry for the driver you want to reinstall. Choose ‘Uninstall’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Then, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of the driver. Double-click the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.
7. Perform a Clean Boot
Sometimes, program conflicts can cause driver errors on Windows. If you suspect this is the case, you can try performing a clean boot to disable all non-essential programs and services and start Windows with only the essential ones. To perform a clean boot in Windows, open the ‘System Configuration’ utility (type ‘msconfig’ into the search box) and switch to the ‘Services’ tab. Check the box labeled ‘Hide All Microsoft Services’ and then click on ‘Disable All’. Then open the ‘Startup’ tab and click on ‘Open Task Manager’. Select each of the listed startup items and click on ‘Disable’. Reboot your system and check for resolutions to any driver errors.
8. Check the Hardware Manufacturer’s Website
Finally, if none of the above methods work, you can try checking the hardware manufacturer’s website for newer driver versions. Many manufacturers release new driver versions on a regular basis and they may contain bug fixes or other improvements that can fix driver errors in Windows. To check for new driver versions, go to the manufacturer’s website and look for downloads related to your device. Download and install the latest version of the driver and see if that resolves the issue.