Windows Drivers
Plain-English guides to Windows drivers - how to update them, what to do when a device stops working, and how to fix audio, Bluetooth and printer drivers.
A driver is the small piece of software that lets Windows talk to a piece of hardware. When one is missing or out of date, the device does not break - it simply stops answering. These guides cover the drivers that go wrong most often.
Realtek Audio Driver: How to Reinstall and Fix SoundRealtek audio driver problems on Windows? Learn how to download, reinstall and fix the driver step by step so your sound starts wo...
Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10 and 11: Download, Install and Fix ProblemsLearn how to download, install and fix the Bluetooth driver for Windows 10 and 11. Simple step-by-step guide to solve Bluetooth pr...
How to Update Drivers on Windows 10 and 11 (3 Easy Ways)Need to update drivers on Windows 10 or 11? Three easy ways to do it safely - through Windows Update, Device Manager and the manuf...
When a Driver Is Actually the Problem
Drivers get blamed for a lot of things they did not do. A good rule: if a device worked yesterday and stopped today, look at the driver. If it never worked properly, look at the connection and the device itself first.
The safest places to get a driver are the device maker's own website and Windows Update. Both give you a driver built for your exact hardware, which a generic package cannot promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which driver is causing the problem?
Open Device Manager and look for a yellow warning triangle. That is the device Windows is unhappy about. If nothing is flagged at all, the cause is usually not a driver.
Should I update all of my drivers?
No. If a device works, leave its driver alone. Update only the driver connected to the problem you actually have - blanket updates cause more trouble than they solve.
Where is it safe to download drivers?
From the device maker's own support site, or through Windows Update. Both give you the version matched to your exact hardware, so it is worth the extra minute of looking.