What updating your tablet driver does

Open Tablet Driver is software that lets your graphics tablet or pen display work properly with your computer. When you update it, you get bug fixes, support for newer tablets, and better performance with programs like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Krita. Updates also patch security issues and fix problems where your tablet stops responding or pressure sensitivity stops working.

The update process itself is straightforward — you download the latest version, run an installer, and restart your computer. Most updates take less than five minutes to complete. If you are using a tablet that stopped working after a Windows or Mac update, a driver update often fixes it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Tablet Driver updates are free and available from the official GitHub releases page, not from your tablet manufacturer's website.
  • You must uninstall the old version completely before installing the new one, or the installer will fail.
  • After installation, restart your computer and reconnect your tablet — the driver will not load until you do.
  • If your tablet still does not work after updating, check that the driver is running in your system tray and that your tablet is plugged into a powered USB port.

Finding and downloading the latest version

Open Tablet Driver releases are published on GitHub, which is where the developers share new versions. Go to github.com/OpenTabletDriver/OpenTabletDriver and look for the "Releases" section on the right side of the page. Click on the latest release — it will be at the top of the list with the highest version number.

Download the installer that matches your operating system. If you use Windows, download the file ending in .exe. If you use Mac, download the file ending in .dmg. If you use Linux, download the .tar.gz file. Do not download the "Source code" files — those are for developers, not for regular use.

Save the installer to your Downloads folder or your Desktop so you can find it easily. The file is usually between 30 and 50 megabytes, so it should download in under a minute on most internet connections.

Uninstalling the old version first

Before you install the new version, you must remove the old one completely. If you skip this step, the installer will fail with an error message. On Windows, open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and press Enter. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find OpenTabletDriver in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts and let the uninstaller finish completely.

On Mac, open Finder and go to your Applications folder. Find the OpenTabletDriver app, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Then empty your Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in your dock and selecting Empty Trash.

On Linux, open a terminal and run the command that matches your system — your Linux distribution's documentation will show you which one. After uninstalling, restart your computer before moving to the next step.

Installing the new version

Once your computer has restarted, open the installer file you downloaded. On Windows, double-click the .exe file. On Mac, double-click the .dmg file and drag the OpenTabletDriver icon into the Applications folder. On Linux, extract the .tar.gz file and run the installer script inside it.

The Windows installer will show a setup window. Click Next to proceed through each screen. You can leave all settings at their defaults unless you have a specific reason to change them. When you reach the final screen, click Install and wait for the process to finish. Do not close the window or disconnect your tablet during installation.

On Mac, the installer may ask for your password — this is normal and required to install system software. Enter your password and click Install Software. The installation will take a minute or two.

Restarting and reconnecting your tablet

After the installer finishes, restart your computer. This step is essential — the driver will not load correctly until you restart. While your computer is restarting, you can disconnect your tablet if it is plugged in.

Once your computer has fully restarted and you see the desktop, plug your tablet back in. Wait about 10 seconds for the driver to recognize it. You should see a small icon appear in your system tray (the area near the clock on Windows, or the menu bar on Mac). On Windows, look for an icon that looks like a small tablet or pen. Click it to open the Open Tablet Driver settings window.

In the settings window, you should see your tablet listed under "Detected Devices". If your tablet appears there, the update was successful. If it does not appear, try unplugging the tablet and plugging it into a different USB port — some ports do not provide enough power.

Testing your tablet after the update

Open a drawing or design program like Krita, Photoshop, or GIMP to test that your tablet is working. Move your pen across the tablet surface — you should see the cursor move on your screen. Press down with the pen and draw a line — the line should appear in your program. If you have a pressure-sensitive pen, press harder and lighter while drawing — the line should get thicker and thinner based on how hard you press.

If your tablet is not responding, check the Open Tablet Driver settings window again. Make sure your tablet model is listed under "Detected Devices". If it is not listed, try restarting your computer one more time. If it still does not appear after a restart, your tablet may need a firmware update from the manufacturer, or the USB cable may be damaged.

Troubleshooting if the update fails

If the installer stops with an error message, the most common cause is that the old version did not uninstall completely. Restart your computer and try uninstalling again, making sure you follow every step. After uninstalling, restart again before running the new installer.

If the installer says "This application cannot be installed on this computer", your operating system version may be too old. Check the GitHub releases page to see which Windows, Mac, or Linux versions the driver supports. If your system is too old, you may need to stay on an older version of the driver, or update your operating system.

If the driver installs but your tablet still does not work, check that the Open Tablet Driver window is open and running. On Windows, if you do not see the icon in your system tray, open the Start menu and type OpenTabletDriver to launch it manually. Make sure your tablet is plugged into a USB 3.0 port (the blue ports on most computers) rather than a USB 2.0 port, as some tablets need the extra power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old version if I am updating from a very old version?

Yes, always uninstall the old version completely, no matter how old it is. The installer will not overwrite the old files properly if the previous version is still present. Uninstalling takes less than a minute and prevents installation errors.

Will updating the driver erase my tablet settings or pressure curves?

No. Your settings are stored separately from the driver software. When you update, your pressure curves, button mappings, and other settings will remain. If you want to be extra safe, you can take a screenshot of your settings before updating.

What if my tablet is not listed on the GitHub releases page?

Open Tablet Driver supports most major graphics tablets, but not all. Check the GitHub page's "Supported Devices" section to see if your tablet is listed. If your tablet is not supported, you may need to use the driver that came with your tablet instead.

Can I update while my tablet is plugged in?

You can update with your tablet plugged in, but it is safer to unplug it before uninstalling the old version. This prevents any conflicts during the uninstall process. Plug it back in after your computer restarts following the new installation.

How often should I update Open Tablet Driver?

Check the GitHub releases page every few months to see if a new version is available. You do not need to update immediately — updates are only necessary if you encounter a bug, your tablet stops working, or you want new features. Major updates usually come out a few times per year.