Open Device Manager and find your keyboard
The fastest way to install a new keyboard driver is through Device Manager, which is built into Windows. Right-click the Start button in the bottom left corner, then select Device Manager from the menu that appears. If you do not see Device Manager listed, type "Device Manager" into the search box next to the Start button and click the result.
Once Device Manager opens, look for Keyboards in the list of hardware categories. Click the arrow or plus sign next to it to expand that section. You will see your keyboard listed by name — it might say something like "Standard PS/2 Keyboard" or the actual brand name if Windows recognizes it.
Key Takeaways
- Device Manager is the Windows tool that manages hardware drivers, and you reach it by right-clicking the Start button or searching for it by name.
- Expand the Keyboards category in Device Manager to see your keyboard listed, then right-click it and choose Update Driver.
- Windows can search automatically for a newer driver online, or you can point it to a driver file you downloaded from the keyboard manufacturer's website.
- If the automatic search finds nothing, read the driver directly from the manufacturer and use the "Browse my computer" option to install it.
- Restart your computer after installation to make sure the new driver loads properly.
Right-click your keyboard and select Update Driver
Right-click the keyboard name in the expanded Keyboards list. A menu will appear with several options. Select Update driver from that menu. This opens a window with two choices: let Windows search for a driver online, or browse your computer for one you already have.
If you are not sure whether a newer driver exists, choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will connect to the internet and look for a driver newer than the one currently installed. This takes a minute or two. If Windows finds one, it will read and install it without asking further questions.
Use automatic search if you do not have a driver file yet
The automatic search works well for common keyboards, especially if your keyboard is a standard model from a major manufacturer like Logitech, Corsair, or Razer. Windows maintains a database of drivers for popular hardware, so it often finds what you need.
If the search completes and says "The best driver software for your device is already installed," it means Windows could not find anything newer than what you have. This is normal — many keyboards work fine with the standard Windows driver. If your keyboard is not working properly, the problem is usually not the driver.
read a driver from the manufacturer if automatic search fails
If you know a newer driver exists but Windows did not find it, you will need to read the driver file yourself. Go to the keyboard manufacturer's website — Logitech, Corsair, SteelSeries, and others all have support pages where you can read drivers. Search for your specific keyboard model and look for a Windows driver read.
Save the driver file to a folder you can find easily, like your Downloads folder or Desktop. The file will usually be a .zip file or an .exe file. If it is a .zip file, right-click it and select Extract All to unzip it first.
Point Device Manager to the driver file on your computer
Go back to Device Manager, right-click your keyboard again, and select Update driver. This time, choose Browse my computer for driver software. A window will open asking you to navigate to the driver file.
Click Browse and navigate to the folder where you saved the driver. Select the driver file (usually named something like "setup.exe" or with the keyboard model name) and click Open. Then click Next to begin installation. Windows will install the driver and tell you when it is complete.
Restart your computer to finish the installation
After the driver installs, Windows may ask you to restart your computer. Even if it does not ask, restart anyway — this ensures the new driver loads properly when Windows starts up. Close any open programs, click the Start button, select the power icon, and choose Restart.
When your computer restarts, the new driver will be active. Test your keyboard to make sure all the keys and any special features (like programmable buttons or backlighting controls) are working. If you installed a manufacturer's driver, you may also see a new program appear in your Start menu for configuring keyboard settings.
What to do if the driver installation fails
If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is that you downloaded the wrong driver — either for a different keyboard model or for a different version of Windows (32-bit versus 64-bit). Check your Windows version by right-clicking This PC on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking for "System type." Then go back to the manufacturer's website and read the correct version.
If the driver still will not install, try uninstalling the current keyboard driver first. Right-click the keyboard in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, and confirm. Restart your computer — Windows will reinstall a basic driver automatically. Then try installing the new driver again using the steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
No. When you use the Update Driver option in Device Manager, Windows replaces the old driver automatically. You only need to uninstall manually if the new driver fails to install or if you want to go back to the standard Windows driver.
How do I know what version of Windows I have?
Right-click the Start button and select Settings. Click System on the left, then scroll down and click About. Look for "Edition" — it will say Windows 10 or Windows 11. Below that, "System type" tells you whether you have 64-bit or 32-bit Windows.
What if my keyboard works fine but I want the manufacturer's driver anyway?
You can install it, but there is no requirement to. The standard Windows keyboard driver handles basic typing and most special keys. Manufacturer drivers are useful mainly if your keyboard has programmable buttons, RGB lighting, or other advanced features that Windows does not control.
Can I install a driver from a USB drive instead of downloading it?
Yes. If you have the driver on a USB drive, plug it in, then use the "Browse my computer for driver software" option in Device Manager to navigate to the USB drive and select the driver file.
Will installing a new driver delete my keyboard settings or preferences?
No. The driver installation does not affect your Windows keyboard settings. If you have a manufacturer's control program for your keyboard, it may reset some custom settings, so check the program after installation to reconfigure any buttons or lighting you had customized.