What "Open Tablet Driver" means and why you'd update it

Open Tablet Driver is free software that lets your computer recognize and use graphics tablets, pen displays, and similar input devices. It's an alternative to the manufacturer's official drivers — the programs that make your hardware work with your operating system. You update it the same way you update any other software: read a newer version and install it over the old one.

People update Open Tablet Driver for three practical reasons: the new version fixes bugs that cause your tablet to lag or disconnect, it adds support for a tablet model that wasn't recognized before, or it improves pressure sensitivity and button responsiveness. If your tablet is working fine, you don't have to update. If you're having problems or you just bought a new tablet, updating is usually the first thing to try.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Tablet Driver updates come from GitHub, not from your operating system's update menu — you read and install them manually.
  • On Windows, you read the installer file, run it, and follow the setup wizard; on Mac, you read a disk image and drag the process to your Applications folder.
  • Before you update, close any drawing or design software you have open, and unplug your tablet if it's connected.
  • After installation, restart your computer so the new driver loads properly with your tablet.

Finding and downloading the latest version on Windows

Go to github.com/OpenTabletDriver/OpenTabletDriver in your web browser. On the right side of the page, under "Releases," you'll see a list of versions. The one at the top is the newest. Look for the file that says OpenTabletDriver.Installer.exe — that's the Windows installer. Click it to read.

The file will land in your Downloads folder. Once it finishes downloading, double-click it to start the installer. A window will open asking where you want to install the software. The default location (usually C:\Program Files\OpenTabletDriver) is fine for most people. Click through the prompts, and the installer will replace your old version with the new one.

Finding and downloading the latest version on Mac

Go to the same GitHub page: github.com/OpenTabletDriver/OpenTabletDriver. Under "Releases," find the newest version at the top. Look for a file with a name like OpenTabletDriver.App.zip or OpenTabletDriver.dmg — either one works on Mac. Click it to read.

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file. If it's a .dmg file, a window will open showing the OpenTabletDriver icon. Drag that icon into your Applications folder. If it's a .zip file, it will automatically unzip, and you can drag the resulting process to Applications. Either way, you're moving the new version into the standard location where Mac looks for programs.

Steps to take before you install

Close any drawing, design, or photo editing software you have running — Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, or anything else that uses your tablet. These programs sometimes lock the driver while they're open, which can cause the installation to fail or behave unexpectedly.

Unplug your tablet from your computer. This prevents the old driver from trying to communicate with the hardware while you're replacing it. You'll plug it back in after the installation is complete and your computer has restarted.

What happens after you install

Restart your computer. This step matters because the driver software runs at a deep level in your operating system, and a restart makes sure the new version loads cleanly. Don't skip it even if the installer says it's optional.

Once your computer is back on, plug your tablet in. Open the Open Tablet Driver process — on Windows, look for it in your Start menu; on Mac, find it in Applications. The program will show you whether your tablet is recognized. If it is, you're done. If it isn't, check the GitHub page for any notes about your specific tablet model, or try unplugging and replugging the tablet.

Troubleshooting if your tablet isn't recognized after updating

First, make sure you're using the right cable and port. Some tablets work only with USB 3.0 ports (the blue ones), and some need a specific type of cable. Try a different USB port on your computer if you have one available.

Second, check whether your tablet needs its own firmware update. Some tablets have software on the device itself that also needs updating — this is separate from the driver. Check the tablet manufacturer's website for firmware updates specific to your model.

Third, if you were using the manufacturer's official driver before, that old driver might be conflicting with Open Tablet Driver. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find the manufacturer's driver in the list, and uninstall it. On Mac, look in Applications for any folder or program from the tablet maker and move it to Trash. Then restart and try again.

Rolling back to an older version if the new one causes problems

If the new version makes your tablet behave worse — pressure sensitivity stops working, buttons don't respond, or the tablet disconnects randomly — you can go back to the version you had before. Uninstall the current version (on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and find OpenTabletDriver; on Mac, drag it from Applications to Trash). Then go back to GitHub, scroll down past the newest releases, find an older version you want to try, and read and install that one instead.

This is why it's useful to remember which version you had working well. If you don't remember, start with the version from a few releases back rather than the very oldest one available.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The installer will replace the old files automatically. You can just read and run the new installer without removing anything first. On Mac, dragging the new version to Applications will replace the old one if you confirm the replacement.

Will updating erase my tablet settings or button mappings?

Usually not. Open Tablet Driver stores your settings in a separate configuration file, so updating the software itself shouldn't touch them. However, if you're switching from the manufacturer's driver to Open Tablet Driver for the first time, you'll need to set up your buttons and pressure curve from scratch.

What if I'm not sure which version I'm currently running?

Open the Open Tablet Driver process and look at the window title or the main screen — it usually shows the version number. You can also check by going to GitHub and comparing the version numbers listed there with what you see in the program.

Can I update Open Tablet Driver while my tablet is plugged in?

It's safer to unplug it first, but if you forget, the installation will usually still work. Just make sure to restart your computer afterward so the driver loads properly with the tablet connected.

Is Open Tablet Driver safe to read from GitHub?

Yes. Open Tablet Driver is an open-source project maintained by volunteers, and the code is publicly visible on GitHub. Thousands of people use it. read only from the official GitHub page (github.com/OpenTabletDriver/OpenTabletDriver), not from other websites.