While the latest version of Windows, like Windows 10 or 11, automatically installs the device drivers during the system update, it might sometimes fail. On Windows 11, you may have to install or update the device drivers manually.
You may have to update the existing drivers on Windows 11 due to specific reasons. Hence, if you are looking for ways to update device drivers on your new Windows 11 device, here’s what you need to do
1. Update your Windows 11
One of the best & safest ways to update drivers on Windows 11 is to update the operating system version. Windows Updates generally takes care of a few drivers for your common components like touchpads, USB Controllers, Graphics drivers, etc.
In Windows 11, it’s not a requirement to download & install drivers manually; Windows 11 automatically takes care of your missing driver the next time you update your PC. So, if you want an easier way to update all your device drivers in Windows 11, you should update your PC. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Click on the Windows 11 Start Button and select Settings.
2. When the Settings app opens, switch to the Windows Update section on the left.
3. On the right side, click the Check for Updates button.
2. Manually install the Driver Updates from the Optional Updates
Windows 11 offers you an option to install only the optional updates. You can explore the settings and only pick the driver updates. This way, Windows updates will only download and install the driver updates. Here’s what you need to do.
1. First, click the Windows 11 Start button and select Settings.
2. On the Settings app, click the Windows Update option on the left pane.
3. On the right, scroll down and click on Advanced Options.
4. Click on the Optional updates under the Additional Options section on the Advanced Options.
5. On the Optional updates screen, expand the Driver Updates.
6. Select the drivers you want to install and click the Download & Install button.
3. Update Drivers via Device Manager
You can also utilize the Device Manager utility on Windows 11 to update drivers. Here’s how to update the Windows 11 driver using Device Manager.
1. Click the Windows 11 search and type in Device Manager. Next, open the Device Manager app from the list.
2. Expand the device you want to update on the Device Manager. Now select the device and click on the Update driver option.
3. On the Update Driver Window, you will find two options:
- Search Automatically for Drivers: Pick this option if you want Windows 11 to download & install the drivers automatically.
- Browse my computer for drivers: Pick this option if you install the driver manually.
4. If you want Windows 11 to download & install the latest version of the driver automatically, choose the first option.
5. If you see the screen telling you, ‘The best driver for your device is already installed, ‘ select the Search for updated drivers on Windows update.
6. If you have selected the second option, ‘Browse your computer for drivers’, pick the driver you want to install or select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
7. On the next screen, Windows 11 will display the compatible drivers available on your computer. If you want to install that driver, select it and click on the Next button.
4. Update Drivers from the Official Websites
Another best way to update drivers on Windows 11 is to download them from the official site and install them manually.
For example, if you have just installed a new sound device (speaker), you can visit its manufacturer’s website and download the appropriate driver.
Once downloaded, you need to install the drivers manually. You need to do the same for every device connected to your PC, such as a mouse, keyboard, sound card, WiFi card, GPU, etc.
5. Use Third-party driver updaters for Windows 11
Most of the driver updating tools for Windows 10 were compatible with Windows 11. You can use any of them to install the latest version of device drivers.
However, the drawback of third-party driver updaters is that they try installing adware on your system. So, make sure to download & use a reliable and trusted driver updating tool on Windows 11.
Also read: How to Stop Automatic Updates on Windows 11
So, these are some of the best ways to update device drivers on Windows 11. If you need more help updating drivers on Windows 11, let us know in the comments below.