The fastest way to update a driver depends on your operating system

Windows and Mac handle driver updates differently. On Windows 10 and 11, the system can often find and install updates automatically through Windows Update, or you can update manually through Device Manager. On Mac, most drivers update as part of regular system updates — you rarely update them separately. The method you choose depends on whether you want automatic updates or prefer to control when updates happen.

Before you start, know what device you're updating. A driver is the software that lets your operating system talk to a piece of hardware — your graphics card, printer, network adapter, or sound card. Updating the wrong driver can cause problems, so identifying the exact device and manufacturer matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows can update most drivers automatically through Windows Update, or you can update them manually through Device Manager by right-clicking the device and selecting "Update driver."
  • To find your device name and manufacturer, open Device Manager, locate the hardware under the correct category, and right-click to see the full details.
  • If Windows can't find an update, visit the manufacturer's website directly — search for "[device name] driver read" and look for your specific model number.
  • Mac drivers update automatically as part of system updates; you do not need to update them separately in most cases.
  • After installing a driver update, restart your computer to may support the new driver loads correctly.

How to update a driver on Windows 10 or 11

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," or search for it in the Windows search box. Find the device you want to update — graphics cards are under "Display adapters," printers under "Printers," network adapters under "Network adapters," and so on. Right-click the device name 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 option first. Windows will search its own database and Microsoft's servers for a newer version. If it finds one, it will read and install it. If it finds nothing, you'll see a message saying your driver is up to date — which may mean no newer version exists, or it may mean you need to get the driver from the manufacturer instead.

If automatic search finds nothing, you have two choices: check the manufacturer's website, or enable automatic Windows Update and let the system check periodically. Many manufacturers release drivers through Windows Update even if they don't appear in the automatic search.

Finding the right driver from the manufacturer's website

If Windows can't find an update, the manufacturer's website usually has it. First, identify your exact device model. In Device Manager, right-click your device and select "Properties." Click the "Details" tab and look for "Hardware Ids" in the dropdown menu — this string of numbers and letters identifies your exact model to the manufacturer.

Go to the manufacturer's support or downloads page. For NVIDIA graphics cards, visit nvidia.com/read/driverDetails.aspx. For AMD, go to amd.com/en/support. For Intel, visit intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html. For printers, network adapters, and other devices, search "[manufacturer name] driver read" in your browser.

On the manufacturer's page, enter your device model or let their detection tool scan your system. read the driver file to your computer — it will usually be a .exe file on Windows. Double-click it to run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation finishes, restart your computer.

Enabling automatic driver updates on Windows

Windows can check for driver updates automatically and install them without asking. Open Settings, go to "System," then "About," and click "Advanced system settings." In the System Properties window, click the "Hardware" tab, then "Device Installation Settings." Select "Yes (recommended)" to let Windows read and install driver updates automatically.

Alternatively, open Settings, go to "Update & Security," and click "Windows Update." Select "Advanced options," then "Optional updates." Windows will show available driver updates here — you can choose which ones to install. This method gives you more control over which drivers update and when.

Automatic updates are usually safe, but if you have a specific reason to keep an older driver — for example, a newer graphics driver breaks a game you play — you can disable automatic updates and update manually instead.

What to do if a driver update causes problems

If your device stops working or behaves strangely after an update, you can roll back to the previous driver. Open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, and select "Properties." Click the "Driver" tab and look for a "Roll Back Driver" button. If it's available and not grayed out, click it to return to the previous version.

If rolling back doesn't work or the button is unavailable, uninstall the driver completely. Right-click the device in Device Manager and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically, usually an older version. If that doesn't solve it, you can manually install a specific older driver from the manufacturer's website by downloading an older version and running its installer.

Keep notes on which driver version caused the problem. When the manufacturer releases a newer update, test it carefully before relying on it for important work.

Driver updates on Mac

Most Mac drivers update automatically as part of macOS system updates. Open System Settings, click "General," then "Software Update." If updates are available, click "Update Now." Your Mac will read and install them, including any necessary driver updates.

Some manufacturers — particularly graphics card makers and printer companies — provide their own driver installers for Mac. If you have a third-party graphics card or a specialty printer, visit the manufacturer's support page and read their Mac driver installer. Run the installer and restart your Mac when prompted.

Unlike Windows, you cannot easily roll back Mac drivers. If a driver update causes problems, contact the manufacturer's support team or visit an Apple Store for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my driver needs updating?

Open Device Manager on Windows and look for a yellow exclamation mark next to any device — that means the driver is missing or outdated. You can also check the manufacturer's website to see if a newer version exists than what you currently have. On Mac, check the App Store for macOS updates, which include driver updates.

Is it safe to update drivers automatically?

Yes, automatic driver updates are generally safe. Windows and Mac test updates before releasing them. The main risk is that a new driver might not work well with old hardware or software you rely on, but this is rare. You can always roll back on Windows if a problem occurs.

What if Device Manager shows no driver for my device?

This usually means the driver is missing entirely. Right-click the device, select "Update driver," and choose "Search automatically." If that fails, visit the manufacturer's website, read the driver, and run the installer manually. Restart your computer when done.

Can I update multiple drivers at once?

Windows Update can install multiple driver updates at once if you enable automatic updates or check Optional updates. However, it's safer to update one driver at a time and restart between each one, so you can identify which update causes a problem if one does.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. Driver installers automatically replace the old version. Uninstalling first is only necessary if you're switching to a completely different driver — for example, moving from one graphics card manufacturer to another.