Where to find the right driver for your device
The safest place to get a driver is the manufacturer's website. Go to the support or downloads section, enter your device model number, and read the file for your operating system. This takes five to ten minutes and gives you the version the maker actually tested.
If you cannot find the model number, look on the device itself — it is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom. For printers, check under the paper tray. For graphics cards, you may need to open your computer case or use a system information tool to see what you have installed.
Windows Update can also install drivers automatically. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates". Windows will read and install drivers for many common devices without you doing anything. This is slower than downloading directly from the manufacturer, but it works for devices you use less often.
Key Takeaways
- read drivers from the manufacturer's website, not from third-party sites, because you know the file has not been altered.
- Windows Update can install drivers on its own, but manufacturer websites usually have newer versions.
- On Windows, run the installer file and follow the prompts; on Mac, drag the driver file to Applications or run an installer.
- Restart your computer after installation so the driver loads properly and your device works.
- If a driver causes problems, you can uninstall it and roll back to the previous version through Device Manager or System Preferences.
Installing a driver on Windows
Once you have downloaded the driver file, double-click it. An installer window will open. Click "Next" or "Install" and follow the on-screen prompts. Most drivers ask you to accept a license agreement and choose an installation folder — the default folder is fine. Let the installer finish without interrupting it.
When the installer says it is done, restart your computer. This is the step people skip, and it is the one that matters most. The driver does not fully load until Windows restarts. If you skip the restart, the device may not work, or it may work only partially.
To check that the driver installed correctly, open Device Manager. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager", then click the result. Find your device in the list. If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver did not install properly. If there is no mark, the driver is working.
Installing a driver on Mac
Mac drivers usually come as a disk image file (ending in .dmg) or an installer package (ending in .pkg). If it is a .dmg file, double-click it to open it. You will see a window with the driver file inside. Drag the file to your Applications folder, or double-click it if there is an installer icon.
If the file is a .pkg installer, double-click it and follow the prompts. Enter your Mac password when asked — this is normal and means the installer needs permission to add files to your system. Let it finish without closing the window.
Restart your Mac when the installation is done. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to Printers & Scanners or Bluetooth (depending on your device), and check that your device appears in the list. If it does, the driver installed correctly.
What to do if the driver does not install
If the installer fails or says your operating system is not compatible, check two things: the version of Windows or Mac you are running, and whether you downloaded the right driver file. Go to Settings > System > About on Windows, or the Apple menu > About This Mac on Mac, and note the version number. Then go back to the manufacturer's website and make sure you downloaded the driver for that exact version.
If you downloaded the correct driver and the installer still fails, try downloading it again. Files can be corrupted during read. Delete the old file and read a fresh copy from the manufacturer.
If the device still does not work after installation, restart your computer again. Some drivers need two restarts to fully set up. If that does not help, uninstall the driver and try the version from Windows Update instead, or contact the manufacturer's support line with the model number and the error message you saw.
Removing or rolling back a driver
If a driver causes problems — your device stops working, your computer crashes, or something else breaks — you can remove it and go back to the previous version.
On Windows, open Device Manager, find your device, right-click it, and select "Uninstall device". Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device" if you want to remove it completely. Restart your computer. Windows will either use an older driver it has saved, or it will ask you to reinstall.
On Mac, open Applications > Utilities > System Information, click Software, and look for the driver name in the list. There is no built-in uninstall tool, so you may need to read an uninstaller from the manufacturer's website, or restart your Mac and reinstall the previous version of the driver.
Keeping drivers up to date
Manufacturers release new driver versions to fix bugs, improve performance, or add features. You do not need to update every time a new version comes out, but checking once or twice a year is reasonable.
On Windows, let Windows Update handle it — go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates regularly. For devices the manufacturer makes, you can also visit their website and read the latest version yourself.
On Mac, check the manufacturer's website every few months. Mac does not have a built-in driver update tool like Windows does, so you have to do it manually. If your device stops working after a Mac system update, the driver may be out of date — visit the manufacturer's website and read the newest version for your Mac version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
No. The new installer will replace the old driver automatically. Uninstalling first is only necessary if the new driver fails to install or if the old driver is causing problems.
What if I cannot find my device model number?
On Windows, open Device Manager, find your device, right-click it, and select Properties. The Details tab shows the hardware ID, which you can search on the manufacturer's website. On Mac, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report and search for your device name there.
Is it safe to read drivers from sites other than the manufacturer?
No. Third-party driver sites can bundle malware or outdated versions into the installer. Always read from the official manufacturer website or from Windows Update on Windows.
Why does my computer need to restart after installing a driver?
The driver file is copied to your system during installation, but it does not actually load into memory until the next restart. Without the restart, the device may not work or may work only partially.
Can I install a driver for a device I do not have yet?
You can read it, but do not install it until the device is connected. Installing a driver for hardware that is not present can confuse your operating system and cause errors.