Device drivers are essential components of the Windows operating system, as they enable your computer to detect and interact with hardware devices connected to it. Updating or reinstalling device drivers can help resolve various issues you might have with your computer, as well as improve its performance and stability.
Here’s how you can update or reinstall device drivers on Windows:
1. Identify the model or type of device, and the manufacturer.
Before updating or reinstalling a device driver, it’s important that you identify the model or type of device, as well as the manufacturer of the device. To do this, you can use Device Manager, which is a built-in utility in Windows. In Device Manager, you can view details about each hardware device connected to your computer, such as its model or type, and its manufacturer.
To access Device Manager:
• On Windows 7, click on Start and select Control Panel. In the Control Panel window, select System and Security, and then select System. In the System window, select Device Manager
• On Windows 8 and 10, right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager
2. Check for updated drivers.
Once you know the model or type and manufacturer of the device, you can check if there are any updated device drivers available. If you don’t know where to find the latest drivers, you can search the manufacturer’s website. To find out which version of the device driver is currently installed, check in Device Manager.
3. Download and install the updated driver.
After you’ve downloaded the updated driver from the manufacturer’s website, you can install it on your computer. To install the driver, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
4. Reinstall the driver.
If the updated driver doesn’t resolve the issue you’re experiencing, you can try reinstalling the driver. Reinstalling the driver might help restore the normal functioning of the device. To reinstall a driver, you can use Device Manager, which allows you to easily uninstall and then install the driver again.
5. Roll back the driver.
If reinstalling the driver doesn’t help, you can try rolling back the driver to an earlier version. This option is available in Device Manager and lets you revert to the previous version in case the new one has caused any issues with the device.
By following the steps outlined above, you can update or reinstall device drivers on Windows. It’s important to note, however, that updating or reinstalling device drivers requires patience, as the process can take some time. Keeping your device drivers up to date can help ensure that your computer operates without errors and runs optimally.