What updating your keyboard driver does
A keyboard driver is the software that tells your operating system how to read the keys you press. When you update it, you're installing a newer version of that translation layer — one that may fix keys that don't register, reduce lag, enable special keys that weren't working, or improve compatibility with your keyboard's extra features like programmable buttons or backlighting.
Most people don't need to update their keyboard driver. Windows and Mac both ship with generic drivers that work with nearly every keyboard made. You update only when a specific key stops working, when a manufacturer releases a driver for a keyboard model with special features, or when you've just plugged in a newer keyboard that your system doesn't recognize yet.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can update a keyboard driver through Device Manager by right-clicking the keyboard, selecting "Update driver," and choosing to search automatically or browse to a manufacturer's driver file.
- Mac users rarely need to update keyboard drivers because Apple includes support for most keyboards in system updates, but you can check for updates through System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Before updating, identify your exact keyboard model and manufacturer — this information is usually on the bottom of the keyboard or in the device settings.
- If a driver update causes problems, you can roll back to the previous version in Device Manager (Windows) or restore from a Time Machine backup (Mac).
How to update a keyboard driver on Windows
Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key, typing "Device Manager," and pressing Enter. Look for "Keyboards" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand the category. You'll see your keyboard listed — it may say "Standard PS/2 Keyboard" or show the manufacturer's name if it's a specialty keyboard.
Right-click on your keyboard and select "Update driver." Windows will offer two options: "Search automatically for updated driver software" or "Browse my computer for driver software." Choose the automatic search first — Windows will check its own database and Microsoft's servers for a newer version. If it finds one, it will install it and ask you to restart.
If the automatic search finds nothing, you'll need to get the driver from the keyboard manufacturer. Visit the support page for your keyboard's brand (Logitech, Corsair, Razer, SteelSeries, or whoever made it), find your exact model number, and read the driver file to your computer. Then return to Device Manager, right-click the keyboard again, choose "Update driver," select "Browse my computer for driver software," and navigate to the folder where you saved the file.
How to update a keyboard driver on Mac
Mac handles keyboard drivers differently than Windows. Apple includes drivers for most keyboards — including third-party ones — in the operating system itself. When you connect a new keyboard, macOS usually recognizes it when ready without any separate driver installation.
To check whether your keyboard has any available updates, go to the Apple menu, select "System Settings," click "General," then "Software Update." If your Mac is up to date, your keyboard driver is too. Some specialty keyboards (like gaming keyboards with programmable buttons) come with their own software that you read from the manufacturer's website, but this is separate from the driver itself.
If a keyboard isn't working after you've plugged it in, restart your Mac first. If that doesn't fix it, try unplugging the keyboard, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. If you've installed manufacturer software and the keyboard is now behaving oddly, uninstall that software through Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor or by dragging the app to Trash.
Finding your keyboard model and manufacturer
Before you search for a driver, you need to know exactly what keyboard you have. On a physical keyboard, flip it over — the model number and manufacturer are usually printed on the bottom or on a sticker. Write down both the brand name and the model number.
On Windows, you can also find this information in Device Manager. Right-click your keyboard, select "Properties," and click the "Details" tab. In the "Property" dropdown, select "Hardware IDs" — this will show a code that includes the manufacturer and model. You can search this code on the manufacturer's support site.
On Mac, go to the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," click "System Report," then select "USB" in the left sidebar. Find your keyboard in the list — it will show the manufacturer and model name.
When to roll back a driver update
Occasionally a new driver causes problems — keys might stop working, lag might increase, or special features might break. If this happens right after you updated, you can undo it.
On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click your keyboard, select "Properties," click the "Driver" tab, and select "Roll Back Driver." Windows will restore the previous version. If "Roll Back Driver" is grayed out, the previous version is no longer available on your system.
On Mac, if you installed manufacturer software that caused problems, uninstall it by dragging the app to Trash or using the uninstaller that came with it. If the problem started after a macOS system update, you cannot roll back the driver itself, but you can restore your entire Mac from a Time Machine backup taken before the update.
Troubleshooting a keyboard that still doesn't work after updating
If updating the driver didn't fix the problem, the issue may not be the driver. Try these steps in order: unplug the keyboard and plug it into a different USB port (or use a different cable if it's wireless), restart your computer, and test the keyboard again.
If the keyboard works in a different port or with a different cable, the original port or cable is damaged. If it still doesn't work, try the keyboard on a different computer if you have access to one. If it works there, the problem is your computer's settings or hardware, not the driver. If it doesn't work on any computer, the keyboard itself is likely broken.
For wireless keyboards, replace the batteries first — low batteries can cause keys to stop registering. Then try re-pairing the keyboard by unplugging the USB receiver, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after updating a keyboard driver?
Windows usually prompts you to restart after a driver update, and restarting is the safest choice — it ensures the new driver loads completely. Mac rarely requires a restart for keyboard driver updates since they come through system updates, but restarting after any system update is a good practice.
Where do I find the driver read on a manufacturer's website?
Look for a "Support," "Downloads," or "Drivers" section on the manufacturer's website. Enter your keyboard model number in the search box. The page should show a driver file — usually a .exe file on Windows or a .dmg file on Mac. read it to your Downloads folder, then follow the installation instructions or use it in Device Manager as described above.
What if my keyboard is very old and the manufacturer no longer has drivers?
Most older keyboards work fine with the generic drivers that Windows and Mac include. If a key isn't working, the problem is usually the keyboard hardware itself, not the driver. Try cleaning under the key with compressed air, or if that doesn't work, the keyboard may need replacement.
Can I update my keyboard driver without restarting?
On Windows, you can sometimes update without restarting, but the new driver may not fully set up until you do restart. On Mac, you typically don't need to restart for keyboard driver updates. To be safe, restart after any driver update so the change takes effect completely.
Is it safe to update my keyboard driver automatically?
Yes. Automatic driver updates from Windows Update or the manufacturer's website are tested before release. The risk of problems is very low, and if something does go wrong, you can roll back to the previous version in Device Manager.