Rolling back drivers on Windows 11 might seem straightforward, but sometimes it feels like Windows has a mind of its own. If your system suddenly acts dodgy after a driver update—like the screen flickering, devices dropping out, or just running a bit slow—rolling back can do the trick. It’s pretty much telling Windows, “Go back to the driver version that was working alright,” before that latest update caused a headache.
Rolling Back Drivers in Windows 11
This isn’t rocket science, but it’s good to know the ropes. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
First up, hit Start or tap the Windows key, then type Device Manager and give it a click when it pops up. Too easy. If your start menu’s cluttered, you can also go through Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Manager, but usually a quick search does the trick.
Step 2: Find Your Device
Next, look for the device (*the one acting up*) under the right category—like Display adapters, Sound, video, and game controllers, or similar. Expand the category by clicking the arrow or double-clicking it, then hunt for the device name. Sometimes it’s familiar, other times it’s just a generic name like “NVIDIA GeForce” or “Realtek Audio.”
Step 3: Open Device Properties
Right-click on the device and select Properties. That’s where Windows keeps all the details—driver version, provider, dates, and so on. You’ll see a few tabs, but the one to look for is Driver.
Step 4: Access the Driver Tab
Click on the Driver tab. Here’s where the magic happens—options like Update Driver, Disable Device, Uninstall Device, and the elusive Roll Back Driver. If it’s grayed out, that means Windows doesn’t have an older driver saved, or it’s a dead end.
Step 5: Roll Back the Driver
If the button’s clickable, click on Roll Back Driver and follow the prompts. Basically, Windows will undo the last update and roll back to the previous version. Sometimes it just works instantly; other times, you might need a restart or two. Heads up: if the option’s grayed out, it’s likely Windows didn’t save the old driver, so you’re out of luck there.
After that, your device should behave more like it did before the update. Might be worth rebooting afterwards to make sure.
Tips for Rolling Back Drivers on Windows 11
- Always set a system restore point first, just in case things go sideways—better safe than sorry.
- Check the device’s manufacturer website if things are still wonky post-rollback; they might have newer, more compatible drivers.
- If the rollback button’s dead, don’t stress—sometimes the previous driver wasn’t saved or has been deleted.
- If issues stick around, consider updating or rolling other drivers, or even refreshing Windows.
- And yeah, back up your data now and then—especially before poking around with drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a driver rollback?
It’s exactly what it sounds like—going back to a previous driver version if the latest one’s causing dramas. Handy for fixing weird issues after an update.
Why can’t I roll back my driver?
If the button’s grey, Windows probably doesn’t have a previous version saved. Maybe it was never updated, or the old one’s been deleted. Bit of a pain, but that’s life.
Is rolling back drivers safe?
Most of the time, yeah. It’s like clicking “undo” on a driver update. Just make sure you’ve got a backup or restore point handy, in case things turn pear-shaped.
How do I know if a driver update caused the issues?
If your device starts playing up—crashing, flickering, errors—that’s a good sign. Blue screens and crashes following driver updates are dead giveaways too.
Will rolling back drivers mess up other software?
Nah, it only affects that particular device’s driver. Your other software stays out of it.
Summary
- Open Device Manager.
- Find the Device.
- Open Device Properties.
- Go to the Driver Tab.
- Hit Roll Back Driver and follow the prompts.
Hopefully, this makes things easier and saves you a few headaches. Sometimes, rolling back is all it takes to fix a nasty bug—no fancy tools, just a bit of patience and knowing where to click. Good luck, and fingers crossed your drivers behave themselves after this!