Keeping your PC updated, along with its other components, is vital for the operation is properly maintained not only in terms of work, but also because it increases security.
In this sense, the Hardware It has a fundamental role since for the PC to work properly, the parts and other components must be. So, the best way to keep everything up to date is through the driver updates of each of the components.
We will teach you step by step How to update device drivers for hardware to work well in Windows 10 ?. In addition, we will explain why it is important to keep them updated and how to solve any type of inconvenience that may arise in the process.
Why should we always have the device drivers updated in our W10 operating system?
Before explaining why it is important to keep device drivers updated in Windows 10, it is necessary to mention what they are. The device drivers or “Drivers”, are programs that serve as a link between the operating system, the hardware and the peripherals that make up a computer or are connected to it.
In consecuense, They are in charge of the system recognizing which components are installed and making them work correctly. So, in the case of Windows, it is able to work correctly with different devices thanks to the existence of these programs. Now, regarding the question of Why should we always have the device drivers updated in our W10 operating system?, The answer lies in the premise that “For everything to work well, it must be maintained”.
Keep in mind that developers are including improvements from time to time, so that updates are achieved solve possible problems and get a better performance of the equipment. Consequently, it can be said that updating device drivers in W10 is vital, because it improves the performance of the PC by providing greater stability. This is possible because it ensures that the compatibility between the hardware and the operating system is optimal.
Learn step by step how to update a hardware driver in Windows 10 without errors to its latest version
Windows 10 has a functionality that allows driver updates to be installed automatically, in conjunction with other devices such as monitors, network adapters, video cards, printers and much more. This procedure is done through Windows update. This means that if you have this version of the operating system, you may already have your most recent drivers.
However, if you want to do it manually or reinstall a driver, we share the step by step with you.
Update drivers
- Writes “Device administrator” in the search box located in the taskbar. Later, click on the option Device administrator.
- Click on a category to check device names. Then, with the right button, click on the one you are going to update.
- Select in Search for updated driver software automatically.
- Then press Update driver.
If Windows can’t get a new driver, you can search for one on the device manufacturer’s website. Once there, follow the instructions to perform the procedure.
Reinstall the drivers
- Inside the Windows search box, type “Device administrator”.
- Click on the option corresponding to Device administrator.
- Long press on the device name you want or right click. Then select on Uninstall.
- Restart the computer.
- Finally, Windows will try reinstall driver.
Problems updating device drivers in Windows 10 How to solve them?
Although Windows 10 has a native tool to run driver updates automatically, problems or errors may occur when executing the procedure. Below we will explain some steps to follow to solve this.
Keep in mind that the ideal is to try the first method and, if it does not work, move on to the next.
Free up space
Maybe the upgrade don’t run for the lack of storage space on the team, so you need to make sure you have it. Check your PC settings, if it exists enough space to run updates. If you find that you do have it, try the next step.
Restart the PC
There are some updates that need to restart the device so that they can be carried out. Therefore, you must save the work you were doing and close all applications.
Then do the following:
- Select in Start Windows.
- Tap on Start / Shutdown.
- Press on Update and restart or Update and shutdown.
Run Windows Update again
As we explained earlier, Windows update is the program in charge of making updates in Windows 10 automatically. Driver updates may not be running properly because you need to download some pending ones first.
In this sense, if you want to check if there are others available you have to do the following:
- Go to Start Windows.
- Tap on Setting.
- Login to Update and security.
- Click on Windows update.
- Go to Search for updates.
By last, download and install all new updates (if available).
Use the Windows 10 Hardware Troubleshooter
If the previous step it does not work, the next thing you should do is turn to another automated system tool. Its about Windows troubleshooter.
To enter there, apply the steps below:
- Go to the taskbar and, inside the search box, put “Find and correct problems.”
- Select the first result that should be Find and fix device problems.
- Use the Advanced Options. Inside there, click on Apply automatic repairs.
Thus, Windows 10 detects any problem with drivers or controllers and applies them. Then go to Next and continue with the steps indicated by the system.
Enter Device Manager
If you have already tried the previous options and still can’t find a solution, you can try the Windows Device Manager. To enter there, you just have to type that in the search bar and open it. Once there, try identify the device that is having problems with the drivers.
Then, right click on it and select on Update driver software. Then, click on Search automatically for updated driver software, with the aim that the automatic update system solves the problem.
Likewise, you can also use the option Install generic driver on Windows 10, if it exists. To do this, you have to search and identify the conflicting device, right-click and select Uninstall. Then, you have to tap on the option Remove the driver software for this device. Finally, click To accept. When this has been done, it is best to restart your computer and that’s it.
Identify hidden drivers
Many times the drivers are not visible on the Device administratorespecially when they are configured by the PC manufacturer and require manual installation. To see them, you have to go to Device administrator and then click on See and click Show hidden devices.
This will show the devices whose drivers may be causing problems and that, therefore, can already be updated. In these cases, they probably require an installation Handbook, so you would have to go to the manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver and install it on the computer.
Check compatibility
Another of the main drawbacks with drivers can be caused by incompatibility between certain drivers and operating system version. In those scenarios, it is best to use a compatibility troubleshooter, which offers Microsoft. That way, you can install or have drivers for older versions in compatibility mode with the Windows 10 version.
To achieve this, you have to open a Windows 10 file explorer window and apply the following steps:
- Right click on the file controller.
- Go to option from Fix compatibility issues.
- click in Troubleshooting program.
- Check the boxes from “The program worked in previous versions of Windows but now it does not install or run”, “The program opens but does not display correctly” and “The program requires additional permissions”.
- Press in Next.
- Login in the option of Windows compatible and then in Next
- Tap on the option from Test the program.
- Apply settings selecting in Yes, save these settings for this program.
Now, you can check if when installing a driver in compatibility mode with an old version of Windows problems are achieved sort out.
Contact the manufacturer
If you already tried all the above alternatives, the last thing you can do is go to the manufacturer of your computer and communicate to him about the problems that you present with the drivers. In this way, they can perform a review and manually configure installed drivers.