Where to find driver updates depends on your device and operating system

The fastest way to check for driver updates is through your operating system's built-in tools. On Windows, you can use Device Manager or Windows Update. On Mac, System Settings handles most driver updates automatically. On Linux, your package manager (like apt or yum) manages drivers as part of system updates. Each method shows you what's currently installed and what's available.

Some devices also have manufacturer software that checks for updates separately. Graphics card makers like NVIDIA and AMD provide their own update tools. Printer manufacturers often include software that alerts you when drivers are out of date. Motherboard makers like ASUS and MSI have utilities for their specific hardware. These tools sometimes find updates that the operating system doesn't catch.

You don't need to check constantly. Most drivers update themselves or prompt you when updates are available. The exception is graphics drivers for gaming or video work, where you might want to check monthly for performance improvements.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Device Manager shows every driver on your system and lets you right-click to check for updates on individual devices.
  • Mac and Linux handle most driver updates automatically through their system update tools, so manual checking is rarely necessary.
  • Graphics card manufacturers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) provide separate software that often finds updates before Windows Update does.
  • Printer, scanner, and motherboard makers include their own update utilities that you should run once after installation, then periodically check.

Checking drivers in Windows Device Manager

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," or search for it in the Windows search box. You'll see a list of hardware categories like "Display adapters," "Network adapters," and "Universal Serial Bus controllers." Expand any category by clicking the arrow next to it to see the specific devices underneath.

Right-click any device and select "Update driver." Windows will search for updates from Microsoft's driver database. If an update is found, follow the prompts to install it. If Windows says the driver is up to date, it means no newer version exists in Microsoft's database — but the manufacturer's own software might still have a newer version available.

You can also right-click a device and select "Properties" to see the current driver version and date. This is useful if you want to compare against what the manufacturer's website shows as the latest version. Write down the version number, then visit the manufacturer's support page to check if something newer exists.

Using Windows Update for system-wide driver checks

Windows Update includes drivers for many common devices. Open Settings, go to "System," then "Windows Update," and click "Check for updates." Windows will scan for both operating system updates and driver updates. If drivers are found, they'll be listed separately from Windows itself — you'll see something like "NVIDIA Graphics Driver" or "Realtek Audio Driver" in the update list.

Windows Update is reliable for basic drivers like audio, network, and storage. It's less reliable for graphics drivers, especially if you're a gamer or do video work. Graphics card makers release updates more frequently than Windows Update distributes them, so checking the manufacturer's software directly is usually better.

You can also go to Settings > System > About and scroll down to "Advanced system settings" > "Device Installation Settings" to control whether Windows automatically downloads driver updates. By default, this is turned on, so most drivers update without you doing anything.

Checking graphics drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel

Graphics drivers update more often than other drivers, and manufacturers release them faster than Windows Update distributes them. NVIDIA provides GeForce Experience, AMD provides Radeon Software, and Intel provides Arc Control (for newer Intel graphics). Download the appropriate software from the manufacturer's website for your graphics card.

Open the software and look for an "Update" or "Check for Updates" button. The software will scan your system, identify your graphics card, and show whether a newer driver is available. If one is, you can download and install it directly. These tools also let you roll back to a previous driver if a new one causes problems.

If you're not sure which graphics card you have, right-click your desktop and look for "NVIDIA Control Panel," "AMD Radeon Settings," or "Intel Graphics Settings." The presence of one of these tells you which manufacturer made your card. You can also open Device Manager, expand "Display adapters," and see the name of your graphics card listed there.

Updating printer, scanner, and motherboard drivers

Printer and scanner manufacturers include software with their devices that checks for driver updates. If you installed the full software package (not just the basic driver), open that software and look for "Check for Updates" or "Update Drivers." HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all include this feature in their printer software.

If you only installed the basic driver and want to check for updates, visit the manufacturer's support website, enter your printer model, and download the latest driver package. Motherboard makers like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte provide utilities that check for BIOS and chipset driver updates. These are less critical than graphics or network drivers, but updating them can improve stability and add new features.

For less common devices — USB hubs, external hard drives, gaming peripherals — check the manufacturer's website directly. Search for your device model and look for a "Downloads" or "Support" section. If the manufacturer doesn't provide update software, Windows Update usually has the driver, and you won't need to do anything manually.

What to do on Mac and Linux

Mac handles driver updates as part of macOS updates. Open System Settings, go to "General," then "Software Update," and click "Check Now." If updates are available, they'll include any necessary driver updates. You don't need to check individual devices the way you do in Windows — Apple controls both the hardware and software, so drivers update together with the operating system.

The only exception is if you're using third-party hardware like external graphics cards or specialized audio interfaces. Check the manufacturer's website or their software for updates, the same way you would on Windows.

On Linux, driver updates come through your package manager (apt on Ubuntu and Debian, yum on Fedora and Red Hat, pacman on Arch). Open your package manager and search for updates. Most drivers are included in the kernel or in standard packages, so you won't need to visit manufacturer websites. If you're using proprietary drivers like NVIDIA on Linux, you can install the manufacturer's software directly, which works similarly to Windows.

When to update drivers and when to wait

Update drivers when you first install new hardware, when you notice problems with a device, or when the manufacturer releases a security update. Security updates are important — they patch vulnerabilities that could let malware access your system through a driver. Graphics drivers can be updated monthly if you game or do video work, since manufacturers release performance improvements regularly.

You don't need to update every driver the moment it's available. If a device is working well, there's no harm in waiting a few weeks. The exception is security updates and drivers for devices you use heavily. If a new graphics driver causes problems, you can roll back to the previous version through the manufacturer's software or Device Manager.

Avoid updating drivers right before important work. If you're about to render a video or play in a tournament, wait until after. New drivers occasionally introduce bugs that affect specific games or software. If you encounter problems after updating, the manufacturer's software usually lets you downgrade to the previous version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a driver is actually outdated?

Right-click the device in Device Manager and select "Properties." The "Driver" tab shows the version number and date. Visit the manufacturer's website, find your device model, and compare the version number shown there to what's on your computer. If the manufacturer's version is higher, an update is available.

Is it safe to update drivers automatically?

Yes, for most devices. Windows Update and manufacturer software test drivers before releasing them. The only time to be cautious is with graphics drivers — occasionally a new driver has bugs that affect specific games. If that happens, you can roll back through the manufacturer's software.

What happens if I don't update my drivers?

Devices will usually keep working. However, you'll miss security patches, performance improvements, and fixes for bugs. Security updates are the most important — outdated drivers can be exploited by malware. For everyday devices like printers and network adapters, updating is less urgent than for graphics cards and security-related drivers.

Can updating a driver break my computer?

Rarely. Drivers are tested before release. If a driver does cause problems, you can roll back to the previous version through Device Manager or the manufacturer's software. This usually takes a few minutes and restores your system to how it was before the update.

Do I need to restart my computer after updating a driver?

Sometimes. The installer will tell you if a restart is needed. Some drivers update without requiring a restart, while others do. If you're unsure, restarting is safe and ensures the new driver loads properly.