Windows

How to Update Device Drivers in Windows 11

Written by

Richard

Aug 11, 2021 Updated Aug 14, 2026 2 min read

How to Update Device Drivers in Windows 11

Device drivers are small software programs that let Windows 11 talk to your computer hardware, such as your graphics card, sound card, and Wi-Fi adapter. Updating your drivers fixes annoying bugs, stops random crashes, and helps your PC run at its best.

You can update these programs quickly using the built-in Device Manager or by downloading the latest files straight from your hardware maker. Keeping every driver current takes just a few clicks and prevents slowdowns before they start.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Device Manager, right-click your device, and select “Update driver,” then choose “Search automatically for drivers.” If that fails, download the driver from the manufacturer’s website and select “Browse my computer for drivers.” Restart your computer after installation.

How to Update Drivers in 🪟 Windows 11

Windows 11 usually handles updates automatically. Sometimes, you need to step in to fix a specific issue.

Step 1Open System Settings

Open Windows Settings. You can do this by pressing the Win+I on your keyboard, or by clicking the Start button and then the Settings gear icon.

Windows 11 Start menu showing Settings option — windows 11 start settings

Step 2Navigate to Device Manager

Open the Start menu , type Device Manager in the search bar, and select the best match from the results. Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to complete this step.

Windows 11 About settings pane for device information — windows 11 about

Windows 11 Device Manager settings in About pane — windows 11 about device manager

Step 3Find Your Device

Look through the list for your hardware. Click the arrow to expand a category.

Updating device drivers from Windows 11 Device Manager — windows 11 update device driver from device manager

Step 4Search for Updated Drivers

Right-click your device and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will then search its database for a matching driver.

Windows 11 searching for drivers automatically — windows 11 search for driver automatically

Step 5Install Drivers from the Manufacturer

If Windows can't find a driver, you'll need to get it directly from the manufacturer. Visit the official support page for your device's manufacturer, download the driver file, and then return to Device Manager. Select 'Browse my computer for drivers' and navigate to your download folder.

Browsing computer for new drivers in Windows 11 — windows 11 browse computer for new drivers

Manually selecting downloaded drivers in Windows 11 — windows 11 manually select downloaded drivers

Step 6Restart Your Computer

Always restart to ensure the new driver files replace the old ones correctly.

Troubleshooting: What If an Update Fails?

When a new driver triggers system crashes, the built-in rollback tool offers a quick escape hatch. Right-click the device in Device Manager, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. If the 'Roll Back Driver' button is greyed out, you'll need to uninstall the device and then manually reinstall the previous version.

Windows Update vs. Device Manager

Windows Update is the most efficient way to update device drivers in Windows 11, automatically finding many updates.

Windows Updates advanced options in Windows 11 — windows updates advanced options

Windows 11 optional updates settings for drivers — windows updates windows 11 optional updates

Summary

Staying on top of driver updates keeps Windows 11 hardware running without a hitch.

What should I do if a driver update causes my PC to crash?

If a driver update causes your PC to crash in Windows 11, the first step is to use the Driver Rollback feature.

Do I need to update drivers if my hardware is working correctly?

You generally don't need to update device drivers in Windows 11 if your hardware is already working perfectly.

Is it safe to use third-party driver updater software?

It's best to avoid third-party driver updater software for Windows 11, as official methods are safer and often sufficient.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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