Why you might update a driver yourself

Most of the time, Windows and Mac update drivers automatically in the background. But sometimes you need to do it by hand: your device stops working after a system update, a manufacturer releases a fix for a specific problem you're experiencing, or automatic updates are turned off on your machine.

Manual updates take 10 to 20 minutes and follow the same basic path on any device — find the right driver file, download it, and install it. The risk is low if you're updating something that already works. The main thing that goes wrong is downloading a driver from the wrong source, which is why the first step matters most.

Key Takeaways

  • Always download drivers from the manufacturer's official website — not from driver-update software, not from third-party sites, only from the company that made your device.
  • Find your exact device model and your operating system version before you search, because downloading the wrong version can cause the device to stop working.
  • On Windows, you can install most drivers by right-clicking the downloaded file and selecting "Install", or by opening Device Manager and pointing it to the file.
  • On Mac, most drivers install automatically when you download them, but some printers and older devices require you to run an installer application.
  • If a manual update causes problems, you can roll back to the previous driver through Device Manager on Windows or System Settings on Mac.

Finding your device model and operating system

Before you search for anything, you need two pieces of information: what device you're updating and what operating system version you're running. Getting these wrong is the most common reason a driver won't install or will break something.

On Windows, open Settings, select "System", then "About". You'll see your Windows version (like "Windows 11" or "Windows 10") and your system type (32-bit or 64-bit — almost always 64-bit on newer machines). Write these down. For your device, look at the physical hardware or open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager". Find the device that's not working or that you want to update, right-click it, and select "Properties". The name at the top is what you're looking for — for example, "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060" or "Realtek High Definition Audio".

On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac", and note your macOS version (like "Sonoma" or "Ventura") and your Mac model (like "MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2023"). For your device, open System Settings, go to "General" then "About", and look for any connected hardware listed there. If it's not listed, the device may not need a manual driver update — many Mac devices use built-in drivers.

Downloading from the manufacturer's website

Go directly to the company that made your device. For graphics cards, that's NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. For printers, it's HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother. For audio, it's Realtek, Creative, or your motherboard maker. Do not use driver-update software or third-party driver sites — these often bundle unwanted software or serve outdated files.

On the manufacturer's website, look for a "Support" or "Downloads" section. Enter your exact device model and your operating system version into their search tool. Download the driver file — it will usually be a .exe file on Windows or a .dmg or .pkg file on Mac. Save it to your Downloads folder or your Desktop so you can find it easily.

Check the file size and the date it was released. If the file is unusually small (under 5 MB for most devices) or was released years ago, double-check that you downloaded the right version. A driver file that's too old or too small often won't work.

Installing on Windows

Once you've downloaded the driver file, the installation method depends on what type of file you have. Most drivers come as a .exe file, which is an installer. Double-click it and follow the on-screen prompts. You may see a User Account Control dialog asking for permission — click "Yes" to continue. The installer will unpack files, remove the old driver, and install the new one. This usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. When it's done, restart your computer.

Some drivers come as a .zip file or a folder. Extract it by right-clicking and selecting "Extract All". Inside you'll find either another .exe installer or a .inf file. If there's an .exe, run it. If there's only an .inf file, right-click it and select "Install". Windows will handle the rest.

If the installer doesn't work or if you want more control, use Device Manager. Open it, find your device, right-click it, and select "Update driver". Choose "Browse my computer for drivers". Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the driver and select it. Windows will scan the folder and install the driver automatically.

Installing on Mac

On Mac, most drivers install automatically. Download the .dmg or .pkg file from the manufacturer. Double-click it — it will mount as a disk or open an installer window. If it's a .pkg file, an installer window appears automatically. Click "Continue" and follow the prompts, entering your password when asked. The installation takes 1 to 3 minutes. Restart your Mac when prompted.

If the download is a .dmg file, it opens as a disk on your Desktop. Inside you'll usually find an installer application (often named "Install [Device Name]" or just showing the manufacturer's logo). Double-click it to start the installation process. Some older devices may have a folder of files instead — in that case, look for a .pkg file inside and double-click it.

After installation, restart your Mac. Most devices will work immediately. If the device doesn't appear in System Settings under "General" > "About", it may not require a separate driver — many Mac devices use built-in drivers that don't show up in settings.

What to do if the update causes problems

If your device stops working or behaves strangely after a manual update, you can roll back to the previous driver. On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click the device, select "Properties", go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver". If that button is grayed out, the previous driver is no longer available — in that case, uninstall the current driver by clicking "Uninstall Device", restart your computer, and Windows will reinstall the last working version automatically.

On Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Open Disk Utility, select your main drive, and click "Repair". Restart normally. If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall macOS, which will restore the original drivers. This is rare — most Mac driver problems resolve by restarting or by downloading the correct version from the manufacturer.

If you're unsure whether a driver update caused the problem, check the date. If the device worked fine before you installed the new driver and stopped working immediately after, the driver is likely the cause. If the device has been having issues for weeks, the problem is probably something else.

When to use automatic updates instead

For most people, most of the time, automatic updates are safer and easier. Windows Update and macOS updates include driver updates for common devices like keyboards, mice, network adapters, and audio. You don't need to do anything — they happen in the background.

Manual updates make sense when a specific device isn't working and you've found a fix from the manufacturer, or when you want a newer driver that hasn't been included in the system update yet. If your device is working fine, leave automatic updates on. If you turn off automatic updates to do manual updates yourself, turn them back on afterward — you'll miss security patches and fixes for other devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a driver and firmware?

A driver is software that tells your operating system how to talk to a device. Firmware is software stored on the device itself. Most manual updates are drivers. Firmware updates are rarer and usually come with their own installer — follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly, because interrupting a firmware update can break the device.

Can I update multiple drivers at once?

Yes, but do them one at a time. Download all the files you need, then install each one separately and restart between installations. This makes it easier to figure out which driver caused a problem if something goes wrong.

Is it safe to download drivers from my device manufacturer's website?

Yes — that's the only safe place to download them. Avoid any website that offers to download drivers for you or that bundles drivers with other software. Stick to the official manufacturer's support page.

What if I can't find a driver for my device?

Some older devices don't have drivers for newer operating systems. Check the manufacturer's website to confirm. If no driver exists, the device may not be compatible with your current OS version. You can try using the device anyway — Windows and Mac sometimes have generic drivers that work with older hardware.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. Most installers remove the old driver automatically. If you want to be thorough, you can uninstall the old driver through Device Manager on Windows or by dragging the application to Trash on Mac, but it's not necessary.