Microsoft - Reinstall/update problem Windows device driver

Microsoft - Reinstall/update problem Windows device driver

Problem

A Windows system device is not working as expected.

Applies to

  1. Windows 10/11

Resolution

  1. Below procedure allows you to reinstall the current device driver for a component if it has become non-functional. This sometimes will fix the problem.
  2. If the above fails it may then be necessary to try to update the driver via Device Manaer or obtain a driver from the manufacturer to install.

Update driver

You can attempt to update the probem driver using the steps below.

Using the mouse

  1. Right click Start button to open the special start menu, then select Device Manager.
  2. In Device Manager look through and open the relevant device category to reveal the affected driver. This may show a with a yellow exclamation mark or some other marking indicating it is not functioning properly.
  3. Right click, then choose Update Driver, then follow the on screen instructions to complete the update.


Using the keyboard

  1. Prress WINDOWS+X to open the special start menu.
  2. Then use UP/DOWN ARROW keys to select Device Manager, then press ENTER.
  3. Press TAB until you reach computer tree view, then press down arrow to locate the branch the problem/target  device.
  4. Whilst focused on the problem/target device press SHIFT+F10, then select Update Driver, then press ENTER.
  5. Follow the instructions to update the driver.

Reinstall driver

If a new driver is not available sometimes reinstalling the existing driver may help, use the steps below to  force a reinstall.

Using the mouse

  1. Right click Start button to open the special start menu, then select Device Manager.
  2. In Device Manager look through and open the relevant device category to reveal the affected driver. This may show a yellow exclamation mark or some other marking indicating it is not functioning properly.
  3. Right click the affected driver, then choose Uninstall in the context menu and follow the prompts to uninstall. If it appears do not any checkbox to remove software unless you already have a copy of the driver software to reinstall.
  4. When uninstallation if complete restart the computer or click Action > Scan for hardware changes to trigger reinstallation.
  5. Then check the functionality of the driver to see if this fixes the issue.

Using the keyboard

  1. Press Windows+X to open the special start menu.
  2. Then press arrow keys to select Device Manager then press ENTER.
  3. In Device manager press TAB twice.
  4. Then press UP/DOWN arrow keys to find Sound, Video and Game Controller, the press RIGHT ARROW.
  5. Then press DOWN arrow to find your onboard sound device, generally it will be a Realtek audio or an Intel.  If you see anything described as display audio you can leave it alone.
  6. When you have found the device press SHIFT+F10 for the context menu.
  7. Then use UP/DOWN arrow keys to locate Uninstall, then press ENTER.
  8. You may then be prompted to confirm uninstallation, in the dialogue there will be a checkbox to remove any driver files, leave this opeion unchecked and press TAB to reach OK then press SPACEBAR on it.
  9. Then press ALT+A to o pen Actions menu then press UP/DOWN arrow to locate Scan for changes and press ENTER to reinstall the device.

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