How to know if your drivers are out of date
Your drivers are out of date when your device stops working the way it should, or when the manufacturer releases a newer version that fixes problems or adds features. The most common signs are a device that worked fine yesterday but doesn't today — a printer that won't print, a graphics card that stutters, a network adapter that keeps disconnecting, or a camera that the system no longer recognizes.
You can check for driver updates in Windows by opening Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager), looking for any device with a yellow warning triangle, and right-clicking it to see if an update is available. On a Mac, go to System Settings, then General, then Software Update to see if macOS itself needs updating — Mac drivers usually update with the operating system. If a specific device isn't working, the fastest route is usually the device manufacturer's website: search for your exact device model and your operating system version, and look for a Downloads or Support page.
Key Takeaways
- A device that suddenly stops working — or works poorly — is the clearest sign you need a driver update or replacement.
- Device Manager in Windows shows you which devices have problems and whether updates are waiting; Mac drivers usually update through System Settings.
- The manufacturer's website is the most reliable place to find the correct driver for your exact device model and operating system.
- Before installing a new driver, restart your computer and close all open programs to avoid conflicts during installation.
- If a driver update makes things worse, you can roll back to the previous version through Device Manager or the manufacturer's support page.
Where to find the right driver for your device
The manufacturer's website is always your first stop. Go to the company's main website, find the Support or Downloads section, and search for your exact device model. You will usually need to enter your operating system version (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS Ventura, and so on) to get the correct file. Write down the model number from the device itself or from Device Manager before you search — "HP printer" is too vague, but "HP LaserJet Pro M404n" will get you the right driver.
If you cannot find the manufacturer's website or the device is very old, Device Manager itself can sometimes find a driver for you. Right-click the device with the warning triangle, select Update driver, then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search its own database and Microsoft's servers. This works for common devices like mice and keyboards, but for specialized hardware like graphics cards or printers, the manufacturer's version is almost always newer and more complete.
How to install a driver update safely
Before you install anything, close all open programs and save your work. Drivers run at a deep level in your system, and installing one while other programs are using the device can cause conflicts or incomplete installations. Restart your computer once before you begin — this clears out temporary files and gives your system a clean state.
Download the driver file from the manufacturer's website to a folder you can find easily, like your Downloads folder. Double-click the file to run the installer. Most drivers come with an installer program that walks you through the steps — just follow the prompts and click Next until installation is complete. When the installer asks whether to restart your computer, say yes. The driver won't fully activate until after the restart.
After the restart, check whether the device works. Open Device Manager again and confirm the warning triangle is gone. If the device is a printer, try printing a test page. If it's a graphics card, open a game or video to see if performance improved. If something went wrong, you can roll back to the previous driver — right-click the device in Device Manager, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if that button is available.
When a device needs a driver replacement, not just an update
Sometimes updating the current driver won't fix the problem because the driver itself is corrupted or the device has a hardware fault. If Device Manager shows the device but it still won't work after you have installed the latest driver from the manufacturer, try uninstalling the driver completely and letting Windows reinstall a basic version.
Right-click the device in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, and check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver software for this device." Restart your computer. Windows will detect the device again and install a generic driver. Then download and install the manufacturer's driver again from scratch. This clears out any corrupted files from the old installation.
If the device still does not work after a complete reinstall, the problem is likely hardware failure, not a driver issue. At that point, the device itself may need repair or replacement. Contact the manufacturer's support line with the model number and a description of what is not working — they can tell you whether repair is worth the cost.
Checking for driver updates on a schedule
You do not need to check for driver updates constantly, but doing it once every few months prevents problems from building up. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for the first of every other month, and spend ten minutes opening Device Manager to look for warning triangles. If you see any, visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver.
For graphics cards specifically — if you use your computer for gaming or video work — checking monthly is worth the time. Graphics driver updates often improve performance and fix bugs that affect specific games. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all have driver download pages where you can check for updates without installing anything first. Just visit the page, enter your graphics card model, and see whether a newer version is available than what you have now.
What to do if you cannot find a driver for an old device
If your device is very old and the manufacturer no longer lists a driver for your current operating system, you have a few options. First, check whether the device works with a generic driver. Plug it in, let Windows detect it, and see whether the basic driver that installs automatically is enough. Many older printers, mice, and keyboards work fine on generic drivers even if the manufacturer has stopped supporting them.
If the generic driver does not work, search the manufacturer's website for archived or legacy drivers. Some companies keep old driver versions in a separate section. You can also search the device model number plus your operating system version in a search engine — sometimes enthusiast forums or tech sites have hosted old drivers, though be cautious about downloading from unfamiliar websites.
If you cannot find any driver at all, the device may not be compatible with your current operating system. At that point, your choices are to keep using an older computer that still has the original operating system, or to replace the device with a newer model that has drivers for your current system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what operating system version I have?
On Windows, right-click the Start button, select System, and look for "Edition" and "Version" near the top. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look for "System Software" or "macOS" at the top of the window. Write down both the name and the version number before you search for drivers.
Is it safe to use Windows automatic driver updates?
Windows automatic updates are safe for most devices, but they are sometimes slower than manufacturer updates. If a device is not working well, downloading the latest driver directly from the manufacturer's website usually solves the problem faster than waiting for Windows to find it.
What if I install a driver and my computer won't start?
Restart your computer and hold down the Shift key while clicking the power button to shut down. Turn it back on and press F8 repeatedly until you see a menu with Safe Mode. Choose Safe Mode, open Device Manager, find the device you just updated, right-click it, and select Roll Back Driver. Restart normally after the rollback completes.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
No. Most driver installers automatically replace the old version. Just download the new driver from the manufacturer and run the installer. If the new driver does not work, then uninstall completely and reinstall from scratch.
Can outdated drivers slow down my computer?
Outdated drivers can cause specific devices to work slowly or poorly, but they usually do not slow down your entire computer. If your whole system feels sluggish, the problem is more likely a full hard drive, too many startup programs, or malware. Check Device Manager for warning triangles first, but also look at your storage space and what programs start when you boot up.