How to Check Chipset Driver Version in Windows 11

Chipset drivers help Windows communicate with your motherboard’s core components, like USB controllers, PCI Express lanes, power management, and storage. Checking the version tells you whether you’re up to date, which matters when troubleshooting USB or sleep problems, or before installing a new CPU or BIOS update. Windows 11 doesn’t show a single “chipset version,” but you can find it in a few places. This guide covers each.

Quick Answer

Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand System devices, double-click a chipset device (for example, an SMBus Controller, PCI Express Root Complex, or a device with your chipset maker’s name), and open the Driver tab to see Driver Version and Driver Date. AMD users can also check the version of AMD Chipset Software in Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

Method 1: Device Manager

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand System devices.
3. Look for chipset-related entries, such as:
   • Intel: entries with “Chipset,” “SMBus,” “Management Engine,” or “Serial IO.”
   • AMD: “AMD SMBus,” “AMD GPIO Controller,” “AMD PSP,” or “AMD PCI.”
4. Double-click one and open the Driver tab.
5. Note the Driver Version and Driver Date.

Different chipset components have their own driver versions, so there’s no single number. Comparing a key device, like the SMBus controller, against the maker’s latest release is usually enough.

Method 2: Installed Apps (AMD Chipset Software)

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Search for chipset.
3. AMD Chipset Software shows its package version, which you can compare with AMD’s download page for your chipset.

Intel chipset drivers usually don’t appear as a single app; use Device Manager or Intel’s support tool instead.

Method 3: PowerShell

List chipset-related drivers with versions:

Get-CimInstance Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object { $_.DeviceName -match 'SMBus|Chipset|PCI Express Root' } | Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersion, DriverDate

Method 4: Manufacturer Tools

• Intel: Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant scans your PC and lists available updates.
• AMD: AMD’s auto-detect tool or the chipset download page for your socket (for example, AM4 or AM5).
• Laptops and prebuilt PCs: check the PC maker’s support page or utility app, which may offer customized chipset drivers.

How to Update Chipset Drivers

1. Identify your motherboard or PC model (search Start for System Information; see BaseBoard Product).
2. Download the latest chipset driver from the motherboard/PC maker or the chipset maker.
3. Run the installer and restart.

Windows Update also delivers some chipset drivers automatically. Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates.

Related: Fix the Driver Verifier DMA Violation error on Windows 11.

Related: Check your Windows version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update chipset drivers?

If everything works, it’s not urgent. Update when troubleshooting USB, sleep, or performance problems, or after a major BIOS update or CPU upgrade.

Why are the driver dates old?

Intel’s chipset “INF” files often keep older dates even in new packages. The version number is more reliable.

Can a chipset driver update cause problems?

Rarely. If something breaks, use Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab.

Summary

1. Open Device Manager > System devices.
2. Double-click a chipset device and check the Driver tab.
3. AMD users can check AMD Chipset Software in Installed apps.
4. Compare with the maker’s latest version and update if needed.

Kermit Matthews

Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.