Restoring drivers in Windows 10 might seem like a tricky task, but it’s really not that bad. You’ll mainly rely on the Device Manager, which is a built-in tool in Windows. The process involves a few steps that include uninstalling and reinstalling drivers, checking for updates, and rolling back drivers if necessary. Let’s dive into it!
How to Restore Drivers in Windows 10
Follow these steps to restore drivers in Windows 10. This will help you fix issues with hardware devices by either updating, reinstalling, or rolling back the drivers.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
First things first, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager."
Device Manager is your control panel for all drivers. It’s where you’ll go to update or roll back drivers, and it’s easy to find.
Step 2: Find the Device
Step 2: Find the problematic device in the list and right-click it.
Here, your goal is to locate the device that’s giving you trouble. It might be under categories like "Display adapters," "Sound, video and game controllers," or "Network adapters."
Step 3: Update the Driver
Step 3: Choose "Update driver" and then "Search automatically for updated driver software."
This step tells Windows to look for the latest driver updates online. If there’s an update, Windows will handle the rest.
Step 4: Uninstall the Driver
Step 4: If updating doesn’t work, go back to Device Manager, right-click the device again, and select "Uninstall device."
Uninstalling the driver removes it from your system. Don’t worry; we’ll reinstall it in the next step. Make sure to check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" if it appears.
Step 5: Reinstall the Driver
Step 5: Restart your computer to let Windows automatically reinstall the driver.
When you restart your computer, Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically. This often fixes any issues that were present.
Step 6: Roll Back the Driver
Step 6: If the new driver causes problems, go back to Device Manager, right-click the device, and choose "Properties." Go to the "Driver" tab and select "Roll Back Driver."
Rolling back a driver takes you back to the previous version, which might be more stable if the new one is causing issues.
After you complete these steps, your drivers should be restored. Your hardware should work smoothly again, and any issues should be resolved.
Tips for Restoring Drivers in Windows 10
- Always create a system restore point before making major changes.
- Keep your Windows 10 system updated to avoid driver-related issues.
- If automatic updates fail, visit the manufacturer’s website to download drivers manually.
- Use a reliable driver update tool if you find this process too complicated.
- Check the device’s official forum or support page for specific driver issues and solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restoring Drivers in Windows 10
What is a driver?
A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or devices.
How do I know if I need to update my drivers?
If your device isn’t working correctly or you see a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, it’s time to update.
Can I restore drivers without Internet access?
Yes, but you’ll need the driver files saved on your computer or a USB drive.
What if Windows can’t find the driver?
Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the driver manually.
Is it safe to use third-party driver update tools?
Generally, it’s safer to use the tools provided by your device manufacturer or Windows Update.
Summary
- Open Device Manager.
- Find the device.
- Update the driver.
- Uninstall the driver.
- Reinstall the driver.
- Roll back the driver.
Conclusion
Restoring drivers in Windows 10 isn’t as daunting as it sounds. With these steps, you can troubleshoot and fix driver issues quickly. Keeping your drivers updated ensures your hardware works smoothly and efficiently, sort of like making sure all the gears in a machine are well-oiled. So next time you face a glitchy device, you’ll know exactly what to do. If you want to dive deeper, there are plenty of resources and forums online that can provide more detailed guidance. But for now, give these steps a go, and see how smoothly things run afterward!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.