Where to find driver updates depends on your device type
Driver updates fix problems, add features, and improve how your hardware works with your operating system. On Windows, you check for updates through Device Manager or Windows Update. On Mac, most drivers update automatically through System Updates, though some hardware makers provide their own update tools.
The fastest route is usually built into your operating system — you do not need to visit manufacturer websites or download anything manually. This article walks you through the actual steps for both Windows and Mac, plus how to handle drivers that do not update through the standard path.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Device Manager shows you which drivers are outdated and lets you update them directly without leaving the tool.
- Windows Update handles many driver updates automatically, but you can also check manually through Settings.
- Mac updates most drivers through System Updates, which you reach through System Settings, not the App Store.
- Some hardware — printers, graphics cards, motherboards — may need updates from the manufacturer's website if the built-in tools do not find them.
- Restarting your computer after a driver update is usually necessary for the changes to take effect.
Checking for driver updates on Windows through Device Manager
Device Manager is the Windows tool that shows every piece of hardware connected to your computer and whether its driver needs updating. Open it by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. If you do not see that option, type "Device Manager" into the Windows search box and click the result.
Once Device Manager opens, look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow next to their name — these indicate driver problems or outdated drivers. Expand each category (like "Display adapters" or "Network adapters") by clicking the arrow next to it to see what hardware you have. Right-click any device and select "Update driver." Windows will search for a newer version online and install it if one exists.
If you want to check all your drivers at once without looking for warning symbols, right-click on your computer name at the top of the list and select "Scan for hardware changes." This tells Windows to look for any new or updated drivers for everything connected to your system. The scan takes a few minutes and will download and install updates without asking you to restart immediately — you can choose when to restart later.
Using Windows Update to check for driver updates
Windows Update handles driver updates automatically in the background, but you can also check manually to see if any are waiting. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then click "Update & Security" (on Windows 10) or "System" then "Windows Update" (on Windows 11). Click "Check for updates" and Windows will search for any available updates, including drivers.
If updates are found, Windows will show you a list. Some updates are marked as optional — these are usually drivers for hardware that is working fine but could have improvements. You can install optional updates or skip them. After you click "Install," Windows may ask you to restart your computer. Do this as soon as you can, because drivers do not fully activate until after a restart.
One thing to know: if Windows Update finds a driver update and you restart, but the update fails silently, Device Manager will usually show a warning symbol on that device. If this happens, go back to Device Manager and try updating that specific driver manually, or visit the hardware manufacturer's website to download the driver directly.
Checking for driver updates on Mac through System Settings
Mac handles most driver updates through System Updates, which you reach through System Settings, not the App Store. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." On the left side, click "General," then click "Software Update." Mac will check for any available updates, including drivers for built-in hardware like your graphics card, trackpad, and keyboard.
If an update is available, click "Update Now" and enter your password when prompted. Mac will download and install the update, and you may need to restart your computer. Unlike Windows, Mac usually handles the restart automatically — it will tell you when it is about to restart and give you a few minutes to save your work.
Some Macs show a second option called "More info" or "Details" next to an update. Click this to see what the update includes — this is helpful if you want to know whether an update is for a driver, security, or a new feature. If you see an update marked as "Recommended," it is usually safe to install right away.
Finding driver updates from hardware manufacturers
Some hardware — particularly graphics cards, printers, and external devices — may have drivers that do not update through Windows Update or Mac System Updates. For these devices, you need to visit the manufacturer's website directly. Common examples include NVIDIA and AMD for graphics cards, Canon and HP for printers, and Corsair or Razer for gaming peripherals.
To find the right driver, you need to know the exact model of your hardware. For graphics cards, right-click your desktop and look for an option like "NVIDIA Control Panel" or "AMD Radeon Settings" — these tools usually have a "Check for updates" button built in. For printers, visit the manufacturer's support page, enter your printer model, and download the latest driver package. For other devices, check the box or manual for the manufacturer name, then search "[manufacturer name] drivers" online.
When you download a driver from a manufacturer, you usually get a file that you run like any other program. Double-click it, follow the on-screen instructions, and restart your computer when prompted. Do not skip the restart — drivers need it to work properly. If the installation fails or asks for an administrator password, right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" (Windows) or enter your Mac password when prompted.
What to do if a driver update fails or causes problems
Sometimes a driver update does not install correctly, or an update causes your hardware to stop working. On Windows, if a device stops working after an update, open Device Manager, right-click the device, and select "Properties." Click the "Driver" tab, then click "Roll Back Driver." This removes the new driver and reinstalls the previous version. This option only appears if a driver was recently updated.
If rolling back does not work, or if the device is not showing up in Device Manager at all, restart your computer in Safe Mode. On Windows 10, hold Shift and click the power button, then select "Restart." On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and click "Restart now" under "Advanced startup." In Safe Mode, Windows loads only essential drivers, which sometimes lets you uninstall a problematic driver. Once you restart normally, Windows will reinstall a basic version of the driver.
On Mac, if a driver update causes problems, restart your computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. From there, you can restore your system to an earlier point using Time Machine, or contact Apple Support for help. Mac driver problems are rare because most drivers are built into the operating system, but this option exists if you need it.
How often to check for driver updates
If you have Windows Update or Mac System Updates turned on, your computer checks for driver updates automatically — usually weekly. You do not need to check manually unless you are having hardware problems or you just installed new hardware. When you plug in a new device like a printer or external hard drive, Windows and Mac both search for drivers automatically.
The only time you should check more frequently is if you are a gamer or use graphics-heavy software. Graphics card manufacturers release driver updates regularly to improve performance in new games and software. If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, you can check for updates monthly through their control panels, or set them to notify you when updates are available.
For everything else — network adapters, sound cards, motherboard drivers — checking once every few months is enough. If your hardware is working fine, there is no urgent reason to update. However, if you notice your device is slow, crashes often, or stops responding, checking for driver updates is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
No. When you update a driver through Device Manager or Windows Update, the new version replaces the old one automatically. If you are installing a driver from a manufacturer's website, their installer handles the replacement. Uninstalling first is not necessary and can sometimes cause problems.
What if Device Manager says "No drivers found" when I try to update?
This usually means Windows already has the latest driver available, or the hardware manufacturer has not released a driver through Windows Update. Try visiting the manufacturer's website directly and downloading the driver from there. Make sure you select the correct model and operating system version.
Will updating drivers fix my slow computer?
Driver updates can help if your slowness is caused by outdated hardware drivers, but usually it is not. Slow computers are more often caused by too many programs running at startup, a full hard drive, or malware. Check for driver updates as one step, but also look at what programs are running and how much free space you have.
Can a driver update break my computer?
It is rare, but it can happen. This is why Windows lets you roll back drivers and why Mac has Recovery Mode. If a driver update causes problems, use the rollback feature or restart in Safe Mode. If you are nervous about updating, you can skip optional updates and only install recommended ones.
Why does my computer ask me to restart after a driver update?
Drivers are low-level software that control how your operating system talks to hardware. A restart lets the operating system fully load the new driver and make sure everything is working correctly. Skipping the restart means the new driver may not work properly.