This wikiHow teaches you how to update your computer's drivers. A driver is a piece of software that helps a computer to connect to hardware devices such as speakers, USB drives, and so on. Drivers are usually installed and updated automatically when you connect hardware to your computer. However, sometimes you have to use the computer update tool to resolve a stuck driver. On Windows computers, you can also view and update drivers through the Device Manager. Mac and Windows users can download and install drivers directly from the hardware manufacturer's site.
Step
Method 1 of 4: On Windows Computer
Step 1. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner. The Start menu will be displayed.
Windows 10 will handle almost all driver updates via the Windows update utility. Usually, this will be done automatically, although you can still check for the latest updates at any time
Step 2. Open Settings
Click the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the Start menu. The Settings window will open.
Step 3. Click Update & Security
in the Settings window.
If Settings brings up a specific menu, first click Home which is located in the upper left corner.
Step 4. Click Windows Update
This option is in the navigation menu on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Click Check for updates at the top of the page
Doing so will start Windows checking for available updates, including the latest drivers.
Depending on when you last checked for updates, the process could take a few minutes
Step 6. Click Install now if necessary
This option is at the top of the page when an update is available. After you do this, your computer will download the update files.
- Depending on the version of Windows you're using, the update might start downloading automatically.
- You may be prompted to restart your computer after the update has finished installing.
Method 2 of 4: On Mac Computer
Step 1. Open Apple menu
Do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Apple will handle all driver updates that are issued for Mac computer hardware
Step 2. Click App Store… in the drop-down menu
The Mac computer's App Store opens.
Step 3. Click the Updates tab if necessary
If the App Store doesn't have the " Updates " tab open, you can do so by clicking this tab at the top of the App Store window. This will list all pending or available updates, including drivers.
Step 4. Click UPDATE ALL
It's a gray button on the right side of the App Store window. Doing so will download all available updates.
If you just want to install the driver, click UPDATE located to the right of the driver you want to install.
Step 5. Wait for the update to finish downloading and installing
This can take a few minutes, and you may need to restart your computer after the drivers have finished installing.
If your Mac is blocking your attempts to install a driver, it may not be recognized by the developer. You can verify the installation so that the drivers can be installed
Method 3 of 4: Using Device Manager on Windows Computer
Step 1. Understand when you should use this method
Device Manager can be used to search for drivers on the internet that have been approved by Microsoft. However, only use Device Manager if you have used Windows Update to search for driver files. The reason is because Windows Update is more reliable to find the right driver.
Step 2. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
You can also right-click the Start icon
Step 3. Open Device Manager
Type device manager in the Start search box, then click Device Manager displayed at the top of the Start window.
When you right-click the Start icon, click Device Manager in the pop-up menu that appears.
Step 4. Find the heading for the hardware you want to update
Scroll through the Device Manager window until you find the hardware category you are looking for.
For example, if you want to update the driver for Bluetooth, you should look for it under the " Bluetooth " heading
Step 5. Double-click the desired heading
The heading expands and displays connected (or previously linked) items in the list listed below the heading.
Skip this step if the heading already displays a list of items below it
Step 6. Select the desired hardware item
Single-click the name of the hardware device for which you want to update the driver.
If the desired item is not here, it means that the item is not installed on the computer. Close Device Manager, plug or pair the item with the computer. Next, follow the instructions given on the screen, and reopen the item category in Device Manager before you continue
Step 7. Click the Action tab at the top of the Device Manager window
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 8. Click Update driver at the top of the drop-down menu
This will open a new window.
Step 9. Click Search automatically for updated driver software
This option is in the center of the new window. The Windows computer will start searching the driver for the selected item.
Step 10. Follow the installation instructions
If the driver is available, you will be prompted to install it. Depending on the hardware item selected, you may have to click several commands before the installation begins.
- You may be prompted to restart the computer after the driver update is complete.
- If a message appears that says " The best drivers for your device are already installed ", it means that Windows did not find the right driver file to use. You can still try installing drivers from the device manufacturer's site if you're sure they need updating.
Method 4 of 4: Using Driver Files from Manufacturer
Step 1. Select the hardware you want to update
When installing a driver manually, the driver file will be downloaded directly from the hardware manufacturer. You must know the model and manufacturer of the hardware you wish to update.
- For example, if you have a Razer-branded keyboard, look for the driver on the Razer website.
- If you have a laptop, all the necessary drivers can usually be found on the laptop manufacturer's page.
- Model information can be found by looking at the manual included with the hardware. In addition, you can also find out through the Device Manager if Windows can recognize it.
Step 2. Visit the manufacturer's site
If you have already determined the device you want to update, visit the manufacturer's support site. The following are some of the website addresses of well-known hardware manufacturers. If the manufacturer of the device you are using is not on this list, do an internet search.
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Motherboard (Motherboards)
- Gigabyte - gigabyte.com/support-downloads/download-center.aspx?ck=2
- Intel - downloadcenter.intel.com
- MSi - msi.com/service/download/
- ASRock - asrock.com/support/download.asp
- Asus - support.asus.com/download/options.aspx?SLanguage=en&type=1
-
Graphics Card
- NVIDIA - nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
- AMD/ATI - support.amd.com/en-us/download
-
Laptops
- Dell - dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Products/laptop?app=drivers
- Gateway - gateway.com/worldwide/support/
- HP - www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html
- Lenovo - support.lenovo.com/us/en/products?tabName=Downloads
- Toshiba - support.toshiba.com
-
Network Card (Network Card)
- Linksys - linksys.com/us/support/
- Netgear - downloadcenter.netgear.com/
- Realtek - realtek.com.tw/downloads/
- Trendnet - trendnet.com/downloads/
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Optical Drive (Optical Drive)
- Samsung - samsung.com/us/support/
- Sony - sony.storagesupport.com/models/21
- LG - lg.com/us/support
- LiteOn - us.liteonit.com/us/service-support/download
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Peripherals
- Creative - support.creative.com/welcome.aspx
- Logitech - support.logitech.com/
- Plantronics - plantronics.com/us/category/software/
- Turtle Beach - support.turtlebeach.com/files/
Step 3. Look for the "Download" or "Drivers" section
The process will vary from site to site, but usually you'll have to search for tabs Drivers or Downloads which is at the top of the main page, although you may first have to select or click the button Support which is there.
You may have to scroll to the bottom of the page and click Support or Drivers to open the driver page.
Step 4. Download the driver file
Do this by clicking on the driver package name or link (or icon) Download which is nearby.
- Many drivers are in the form of installer files, or are included with software designed for that hardware. Old or rare production hardware usually provides the drivers in a ZIP folder format.
- Sometimes the software that comes with the hardware will be located in a different location than the driver.
Step 5. Run the driver installer file
Double-click the setup file you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. If the driver is a ZIP folder, first extract the folder by doing the following:
- Windows - Double click the ZIP folder, click the tab Extract, choose Extract all, then click Extract when requested.
- Mac - Double-click the ZIP folder and wait for the folder to finish extracting.
Step 6. Verify the drivers on the Mac computer
If you're using a Mac and an error message appears when you install the driver, resolve this issue by doing the following:
- Click OK in the error message.
-
Click menu Apple
Macapple1 then select System Preferences….
- Click Security & Privacy.
- Click Allow which is next to the "System software…was blocked from loading" message at the bottom of the window.
- Continue the process by installing the driver (you may have to double-click the driver setup file again).
Step 7. Manually install the driver on the Windows computer
If the driver is a.zip file, you will have to install it manually. This can be done via Device Manager:
- Select the hardware you want to update via Device Manager.
- Click Action.
- Click Driver updates.
- Click Browse my computer for driver software when requested.
- Open the extracted ZIP folder, then click the ".inf" file in that folder while holding down the Ctrl key.
- Click Open.
