How to Update Drivers on a PC: A Step-by-Step Guide 

A misbehaving PC can sink a productive day faster than an iceberg can take down a ship — and outdated drivers are often the icy culprit.

Every IT practitioner knows that keeping drivers up-to-date is essential for the stability, security, and performance of any PC. Drivers act as a bridge between the operating system and hardware components, such as the graphics card or network adapter. Outdated or missing drivers can lead to hardware malfunctions, degraded system performance, or even security vulnerabilities.

This guide will teach you how to update drivers on a PC, troubleshoot common issues, and discuss additional considerations to ensure your systems run optimally.

Why Updating Drivers Matters

Drivers ensure that your operating system can effectively communicate with the hardware, enabling smooth functionality and performance. Common reasons why IT practitioners or end-users might need to know how to update drivers on a PC include:

• Improving System Stability and Reliability: Keeping drivers up-to-date helps ensure smooth daily operations across critical hardware, from network adapters to storage drives.
• Enhancing Hardware Compatibility: If you’re upgrading components like GPUs, processors, or other peripherals, updated drivers are necessary to ensure compatibility.
• Fixing Bugs and Issues: Manufacturers often release driver updates to resolve bugs or improve functionality, especially after an OS update.
• Improving Security: Updated drivers can close vulnerabilities in older versions, helping protect systems from potential security threats.

With these benefits in mind, updating drivers should be a routine part of system maintenance.

Best Practices for Updating Drivers

1. Use Manufacturer Tools: Whenever possible, use the official update tools provided by your device manufacturer or official Windows tools like Device Manager and Windows Updates. These tools are specifically designed for your device’s hardware and are generally more reliable than third-party solutions.
2. Avoid Third-Party Tools: Third-party driver update tools are often categorized as “grayware.” They may bundle unnecessary software or even pose security risks. If possible, stick with manufacturer-provided software or Windows Update.
3. Create a Rollback Plan: Sometimes driver updates can cause unexpected issues. Make sure to have a system restore point or a rollback plan in place before updating drivers.

How to Update Drivers on a PC: Step-by-Step Guide

There are multiple methods to update drivers on a PC, from using built-in Windows tools to manually downloading them from the manufacturer’s website. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Method 1: Updating Drivers via Windows Device Manager

The Windows Device Manager provides a straightforward way to check for driver updates on a component-by-component basis.

• Open Device Manager:
  • Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager. You’ll see a list of all installed hardware.
• Find the Component to Update:
  • Locate the hardware you want to update, such as Display Adapters (for graphics drivers), Network Adapters, or Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
• Update the Driver:
  • Right-click the device and choose Update Driver.
  • Select Search automatically for updated driver software to allow Windows to find and install the latest version from its database.

Note: While Device Manager is convenient, it may not always locate the latest drivers. For critical hardware like graphics cards or network adapters, it’s often best to get drivers directly from the manufacturer.

Method 2: Updating Drivers Using Windows Update

Windows Update is a built-in tool that can automatically update many drivers on your system. While it may not always have the latest versions, it’s a safe and convenient option.

1. Open Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Check for Updates: Click on Check for updates. Windows will search for any available updates, including drivers.
3. Install Driver Updates: If driver updates are available, they will appear under the optional updates section. Select and install them.

Pro Tip: For advanced users, you can use the wuauclt /detectnow command in Command Prompt to force a check for updates. Additionally, have a rollback plan by setting a restore point in System Properties.

Method 3: Manually Downloading Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website

For the latest drivers or if Windows doesn’t find what you need, download drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website.

Identify Your Hardware Model:

• For a specific component like a GPU or network adapter, make a note of the exact model. You can find this information in Device Manager or System Information.

Visit the Manufacturer’s Support Site:

• Navigate to the official support page for your component or system manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA for graphics cards, Realtek for network adapters).
• Locate the driver section and download the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.

1. Install the Drivers:

• Run the downloaded file, following the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
• Restart the system if prompted.

Tip: For major components like GPUs, using software like NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience or AMD’s Adrenalin software can help manage updates automatically.

Method 4: Using the Manufacturer’s Official Driver Update Software

If you manage multiple systems or prefer an automated approach, driver update software can streamline the process.

1. Choose a Reputable Driver Update Tool: There are various tools available, but using the official Manufacturers software to update drivers is strongly recommended.
2. Scan and Update Drivers: After installation, run the tool and scan for outdated drivers. Most tools will allow you to update multiple drivers simultaneously.
3. Verify Compatibility: Always review the tool’s recommendations, as some third-party drivers may be less stable than manufacturer-issued drivers.

Note: Avoid using driver update tools that don’t come from an official source (more on that below), as some may bundle unwanted software or lead to compatibility issues.

All driver update tools are all grayware or malware. However, each manufacturer has its own official app that helps with this. For example:

• Dell Command Update
• Lenovo System Update
• HP Support Assistant

Conveniently, you can use Syncro’s third-party app update to install the above three, and there are scripts in our script library that help you manage these apps.

Using Dell Command | Update via Command Line

Dell Command | Update is a powerful tool designed for Dell systems, often pre-installed on Dell computers.

You can automate updates with commands:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Run the following command to check for updates and install:
  • Command: dcu-cli.exe /silent /reboot=disable /applyUpdates
• Use /? for a full list of options.

Note: Dell Command | Update can be configured to run on a schedule, ensuring your drivers stay current.

Using Lenovo System Update

Lenovo System Update is a great tool for business-grade Lenovo systems, ensuring drivers are always up-to-date.

Running Lenovo System Update via Command Line

System Update can be controlled via the command line for automation, especially useful for scheduling in Windows Task Scheduler.

• Scheduled Task Setup: Set up a task in Windows Task Scheduler to run on a recurring basis.
• Command: C:\Program Files (x86)\Lenovo\System Update\tvsu.exe /CM
• The rest of the command line parameters must be specified as policies in the registry, or directly via Group Policy.

Honorable Mention: Lenovo Vantage

For consumer-grade Lenovo systems, Lenovo Vantage is often pre-installed. It provides updates, system diagnostics, and settings customization. It’s user-friendly and can be accessed easily without needing technical knowledge.

Using HP Support Assistant

HP Support Assistant is a comprehensive tool that comes pre-installed on most HP devices. It provides:

• Driver updates
• Diagnostic tools
• Automated troubleshooting

To use it, simply open HP Support Assistant and go to the Updates section. You can schedule updates or run a manual check anytime.

Troubleshooting Common Driver Update Issues

Updating drivers can sometimes introduce unexpected issues. Here are some common problems and how to resolve them:

Device Malfunction or Poor Performance After Update

• Roll Back the Driver: Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties > Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver to restore the previous version.
• Uninstall and Reinstall: If rolling back doesn’t work, uninstall the driver entirely from Device Manager, then reinstall it using a fresh download from the manufacturer’s website.

Driver Update Fails to Install

• Use Safe Mode: Boot the PC into Safe Mode, then try installing the driver again. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, making it easier to troubleshoot conflicts.
• Check for OS Compatibility: Make sure the driver version is compatible with your operating system. Outdated or incompatible drivers might fail on newer OS versions like Windows 11.

System Crashes or Blue Screen Errors

• Update All Drivers: A new driver may conflict with older drivers. Make sure all critical drivers (e.g., chipset, GPU, network) are up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues.
• Run System Restore: Use System Restore to revert to a point in time before the driver update if the issue persists.
  • Protip: Make sure you have System Restore enabled before you start doing any driver updates, as it allows you to quickly undo changes and revert to a stable system state if a new driver causes unexpected issues.

Beyond the Basics: Key Considerations for IT Pros

For MSPs and IT folks alike, managing driver updates is crucial to maintaining system performance and avoiding compatibility issues. Here’s some additional context and tips for handling driver updates efficiently:

Creating a Driver Update Schedule

Regularly updating drivers is a good practice, especially for devices critical to performance and security. Setting up a driver update schedule can help, especially in larger IT environments.

Consider quarterly checks for non-essential drivers and more frequent updates for critical hardware like graphics and network drivers.

Understanding Driver Types

Windows offers WHQL-certified (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) drivers through Windows Update. These are tested by Microsoft and are generally stable despite being slightly bug prone. For this reason, many folks opt for using the drivers directly from the manufacturer’s update software and have reported better luck than WHQL. Like everything else in IT, you’ll need to assess what your company’s needs are and test which methods align and work best with those needs.

Ultimately, knowing the difference between driver types will help you balance reliability with functionality, and ensure you choose the right driver for your client’s or end-user’s specific needs.

Considering Firmware and BIOS Updates

Updating drivers alone isn’t always enough; occasionally, BIOS or firmware updates can improve hardware compatibility and performance, especially if issues persist after a driver update.

Firmware and BIOS updates can also introduce new security patches, enhance system stability, and support additional features or compatibility for new hardware.

For instance, updating the BIOS may enable compatibility with newer CPUs or RAM modules, ensuring the system can handle performance demands. Regularly checking for these updates helps future-proof systems, reducing the risk of compatibility and performance issues down the line.

Staying Ahead: Implement Proactive Updates for Seamless IT Management

Knowing how to update drivers on a PC is crucial for maintaining system performance, ensuring compatibility, and protecting against vulnerabilities. By implementing these methods and best practices, you can keep your hardware operating at peak performance while avoiding potential pitfalls.

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