Getting your drivers up to scratch on Windows 11 is pretty much essential if you want your hardware to play nicely with the latest updates. Sometimes, things just stop working or run slow because a driver is out of date or not compatible. The good news is, there are a few easy ways to sort this out — from the built-in Device Manager to downloading directly from the manufacturer’s website or even using Windows Update. Each way has its perks, but all should help keep your system running smoother and more reliably. Just keep in mind, sometimes driver updates can cause a few dramas, especially if they’re beta versions or unofficial. So, it’s a smart move to back up your system or create a restore point before diving in.
How to Update Drivers on Windows 11
Find the Device Manager and get ready to have a squiz
First off, right-click the Start button or press Win + X, then select Device Manager from the menu. That’s where Windows keeps tabs on all your hardware and lets you troubleshoot or update drivers. If it looks a bit cluttered, just expand the categories that seem relevant—like display adapters, network devices, or sound, video, and game controllers. Got a long list? No worries, that’s normal. The main thing is to find the device that’s giving you grief or needs an upgrade.
Spot the dodgy device and update its driver
Once you find what you want, right-click on it and choose Update driver. Here’s where the magic happens: you’ll see a couple options—“Search automatically for drivers” usually works fine if you want Windows to fetch the latest drivers from Microsoft or Windows Update. If you’ve already downloaded the driver from the manufacturer’s site (like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek), then choose Browse my computer for drivers and point it directly to the file you saved. That way, you skip the auto-search and install the version you’ve prepared.
Let Windows do its thing and follow the prompts
This part’s a bit like magic but can be a bit frustrating sometimes. Windows will scan and might tell you it’s found an updated driver. Sometimes, it doesn’t, and that’s alright. You might see a message saying “The best drivers for your device are already installed,” even if there are newer ones online. Usually, it’s no harm to try again later or update manually from the manufacturer’s site. Keep an eye out for Windows updates, too — they often include driver updates tucked into regular patches. Fair dinkum, on some setups, updating drivers can cause momentary disconnects or flickers. No worries, just finish the process and carry on.
Reboot your PC to lock in the update
After the install, restart your computer. It’s a must do, really. Sometimes, Windows needs a reboot to fully load the new driver. It’s a quick step that helps dodge weird conflicts or performance hiccups down the track. If the device still acts up after restarting, you might need to do a clean reinstall or even roll back the driver — not a bad idea if things aren’t right.
Extra tips: Keep your system safe and running sweet
Avoid downloading drivers from dodgy websites; stick to official sources or the manufacturer’s page. Updating graphics cards or Wi-Fi adapters can fix bugs and boost speed, but sometimes, new drivers can cause issues. That’s why it’s clever to back up or create a restore point beforehand. If something goes pear-shaped, you can roll back the driver in Device Manager — just go to Properties > Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver. It’s a handy backup plan if things go sideways.
Tips for Updating Drivers on Windows 11
- Always create a restore point before mucking around with drivers, just in case.
- Check Windows Update regularly — it often picks up driver updates with system patches.
- Get drivers only from official sites (like Intel’s, NVIDIA’s, or your laptop maker’s support page). No shady sources.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider a legit driver updater tool — just make sure it’s not full of bloatware. (There are some decent ones out there.)
- Backup your current drivers beforehand — not always necessary, but handy if you need to revert quick smart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually are drivers?
They’re like interpreters between your hardware and Windows — without them, your PC wouldn’t know how to chat with your GPU, Wi-Fi card, or sound gear.
How often should I update drivers?
A good rule of thumb is every few months, especially if you’re running into crashes, lag, or hardware isn’t being recognised properly. Also, big Windows updates usually bring driver tweaks, so it’s worth checking then too.
Can outdated drivers cause issues?
Definitely. They can lead to hardware not working right, crashes, or your system freezing up. Sometimes, performance can slow down because Windows can’t properly utilise a device.
Is manually updating drivers risky?
If you get them from a reliable source, it’s usually safe. But steer clear of random sites pushing dubious files — stick to official or well-known forums.
What if a driver update causes problems?
Head into Device Manager, find the device, right-click for Properties, then under the Driver tab, click Roll Back Driver to undo the update. Not always available, but when it is, it’s a real lifesaver.
Summary
- Open Device Manager through Start button → right-click → Device Manager.
- Find your gear, right-click, and select Update driver.
- Opt for automatic search or browse manually, then follow the prompts.
- Restart your PC after updating to make sure everything’s running sweet as.
Wrap-up
Updating drivers might seem a bit fiddly at first, but it’s often the go-to fix for dodgy hardware or sluggish performance. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of having a squiz around, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. Keep backups handy, check for updates now and then, and don’t be shy to roll back if something’s off. Usually, it’s a small hassle for a big boost — and sometimes, that’s all you need to get back on track.