Where to find driver updates depends on your device and what you want to control

Driver updates come from three places: your computer's built-in update tool, the device manufacturer (like Dell or HP), or the hardware maker (like NVIDIA or Intel). Which one you use depends on what you're updating and how much control you want. Windows Update handles many drivers automatically, but if you want to update a graphics card, network adapter, or printer driver specifically, you'll usually go to the manufacturer's website instead.

The fastest route for most people is Windows Update on Windows, or Software Update on Mac. These catch security patches and stability fixes without you having to think about it. But if a driver isn't working right, or you need a specific version for a game or professional software, you may need to find it yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Update and Mac Software Update handle many driver updates automatically, but you can also check manually through Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac).
  • For specific devices like graphics cards, printers, or network adapters, visit the manufacturer's website and search for your exact model number to read the latest driver.
  • Your device model number is usually on a sticker on the device itself, or you can find it in Device Manager or System Information.
  • Restart your computer after installing a driver update, especially for graphics cards or network adapters, so the change takes effect.

Checking for updates through Windows Update

Windows Update is the easiest place to start because it runs in the background and installs many drivers without you doing anything. To check manually, open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to Update & Security, and click Check for updates. Windows will scan for driver updates along with operating system patches.

This method works well for common hardware like network adapters, sound cards, and USB devices. It's slower for graphics card drivers — NVIDIA and AMD usually release new versions faster than Windows does — but it's a safe, automatic way to stay current if you're not a gamer or video editor.

Finding driver updates in Device Manager

Device Manager shows you every piece of hardware connected to your computer and whether Windows thinks the driver is up to date. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager, or search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search box. Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark — that means the driver is missing or broken.

To check a specific device, expand the category it's in (like Display adapters for your graphics card, or Network adapters for your internet connection), right-click the device, and select Update driver. Windows will search online for a newer version. If it finds one, it will install it. If not, you may need to visit the manufacturer's website.

Device Manager also shows you which driver version is currently installed. Right-click a device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and look at the Driver Version field. Write down this number if you need to compare it to what's available on the manufacturer's website.

Getting drivers directly from the manufacturer

For graphics cards, printers, network adapters, and other specialized hardware, the manufacturer usually has newer drivers than Windows Update. Visit the support or downloads page of the company that made your device — NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Canon, HP, Realtek, and so on.

You'll need your exact model number. For a graphics card, right-click your desktop and look for NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings. For a printer, check the physical device or open Devices and Printers in Windows. For a network adapter or sound card, open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, and look at the Device name field.

Once you have the model number, search the manufacturer's website for it. read the driver file, run the installer, and follow the prompts. Most installers will restart your computer automatically when done.

Checking for updates on a Mac

Mac handles driver updates (called firmware updates for some hardware) through Software Update. Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, select General, and click Software Update. Mac will check for operating system updates and driver updates together.

For specific devices like external hard drives, printers, or graphics tablets, visit the manufacturer's website. Search for your device model and read the latest driver or software. Mac drivers are less common than Windows drivers because Apple controls more of the hardware, but third-party devices still need updates sometimes.

To see what hardware is connected to your Mac and check driver status, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and go to the System Report button. This shows you model numbers and firmware versions for your devices.

What to do if a driver update causes problems

If your computer becomes unstable or a device stops working after you install a driver, you can roll back to the previous version. In Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if that button is available. This restores the version you had before.

If rolling back isn't an option, restart your computer in Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart in the shutdown menu), open Device Manager, and uninstall the driver completely. Restart again normally, and Windows will reinstall a basic version. Then you can try a different driver version from the manufacturer's website.

When to update drivers and when to leave them alone

Security updates for network adapters, sound cards, and storage devices should be installed as soon as they're available — these are the ones that fix vulnerabilities. Graphics card drivers can usually wait unless you're having performance problems or playing a new game that needs them.

Don't update a driver just because a new version exists. If your hardware is working fine, an older driver is usually more stable than the newest one. Manufacturers release new versions constantly, and sometimes they introduce bugs. Update when you have a reason: a security patch, a fix for a problem you're experiencing, or support for new software you want to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my drivers need updating?

Check Device Manager for yellow exclamation marks, which mean a driver is missing or broken. You can also visit the manufacturer's website, find your device model, and compare the version number shown there to the one in Device Manager. If the manufacturer's version is newer and you're having problems with that device, an update may help.

Is it safe to update drivers automatically through Windows Update?

Yes. Windows Update drivers are tested and stable. They may not be the absolute newest version available from the manufacturer, but they're safe to install. The main downside is that graphics card drivers from Windows Update are usually older than the latest versions from NVIDIA or AMD.

What if I can't find my device model number?

Open Device Manager, find your device, right-click it, and select Properties. The Device name field usually shows the model. You can also search the web for "[manufacturer name] [device type] model number" — for a printer, check the physical device for a sticker. If you're still stuck, contact the manufacturer's support with a photo of your device.

Do I need to restart my computer after every driver update?

Most driver installers will prompt you to restart. Some updates take effect when ready, but graphics card and network adapter updates almost always require a restart. It's safer to restart even if the installer doesn't ask — this ensures the new driver loads completely.

Can updating drivers improve my computer's speed?

Updated drivers can improve performance for graphics-heavy tasks like gaming or video editing, especially if you're using an older graphics card driver. For everyday tasks like web browsing and email, driver updates rarely make a noticeable difference in speed. They're more about stability and security than performance.