Reinstalling drivers on Windows 10 can resolve persistent hardware errors and improve system stability. If you are looking for how to reinstall drivers windows 10, you have come to the right place. This guide will walk you through every method step by step. You do not need to be a tech expert to follow along.
Drivers are the software that lets your operating system talk to your hardware. When they get corrupted, outdated, or conflict with each other, your computer can act up. Common signs include blue screens, no sound, network drops, or a printer that just will not work. Reinstalling the driver often fixes these issues quickly.
Before you start, make sure you have a stable internet connection. You may also want to create a system restore point just in case. But do not worry, the process is safe and straightforward. Let us dive into the main methods.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 Using Device Manager
The Device Manager is the built-in tool for managing hardware. It is the easiest way to reinstall most drivers. Here is how to do it.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. A menu will pop up. Click on Device Manager. You can also search for it in the Start menu.
Step 2: Locate The Problematic Device
Scroll through the list of categories. Look for the device that is causing trouble. It might have a yellow exclamation mark next to it. Common categories include:
- Display adapters (for graphics cards)
- Network adapters (for Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- Sound, video and game controllers
- Printers
Step 3: Uninstall The Current Driver
Right-click on the device name. Select Uninstall device from the menu. A confirmation box will appear. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if you want a completely fresh install. Then click Uninstall.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
After the driver is removed, restart your PC. Windows 10 will automatically detect the missing driver and reinstall it. This is the simplest way to reinstall a driver.
Step 5: Update The Driver (If Needed)
Sometimes Windows may not find the best driver. You can manually update it. Go back to Device Manager, right-click the device, and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers. Let Windows search online.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 Using The Settings App
Windows 10 also lets you manage drivers through the Settings app. This method is good for beginners. It is a bit more visual.
Step 1: Open Settings
Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click on Update & Security. Then select Windows Update from the left menu.
Step 2: Check For Optional Updates
Click on View optional updates. This will show driver updates that Microsoft has approved. Look for the driver you need. Check the box next to it and click Download and install.
Step 3: Restart If Prompted
After installation, restart your computer. This method is best for updating drivers, but it can also reinstall them if they were removed.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 From The Manufacturer’s Website
Sometimes Windows does not have the latest or correct driver. In that case, go directly to the hardware maker’s website. This is the most reliable method for critical components like graphics cards or network adapters.
Step 1: Identify Your Hardware
You need to know the exact model of your device. For a graphics card, it might be an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or an AMD Radeon RX 6700. For a network adapter, check the sticker on the device or look in Device Manager under Network adapters.
Step 2: Download The Driver
Visit the manufacturer’s support page. For example:
- NVIDIA: nvidia.com/drivers
- AMD: amd.com/support
- Intel: intel.com/support
- Realtek: Check your motherboard manufacturer’s site
Download the driver that matches your Windows 10 version (32-bit or 64-bit). Save it to your desktop.
Step 3: Uninstall The Old Driver First
Go to Device Manager. Right-click the device and choose Uninstall device. Check the box to delete the driver software. This ensures no conflicts.
Step 4: Install The New Driver
Run the downloaded file. Follow the on-screen instructions. Most drivers have a simple installer. Restart your computer when done.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 Using Third-Party Tools
If you prefer automation, third-party driver updaters can help. They scan your system and find missing or outdated drivers. Be careful though, some tools are adware or push unwanted software. Stick with reputable ones like:
- Driver Booster (free version works)
- Snappy Driver Installer
- Driver Easy
Step 1: Download And Install The Tool
Choose a tool from a trusted source. Avoid clicking on pop-up ads. Download from the official website only.
Step 2: Run A Scan
Open the tool and click Scan. It will list all drivers that need attention. Look for the one you want to reinstall.
Step 3: Reinstall The Driver
Select the driver and click Update or Install. The tool will download and install it automatically. Restart if needed.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 For Specific Hardware
Different hardware may require slightly different steps. Here are common examples.
Reinstall Graphics Driver
Graphics drivers are often the cause of crashes or poor performance. Use the manufacturer’s tool like NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin. They can do a clean installation. Alternatively, use Device Manager as described above.
Reinstall Network Driver
If you lose internet access, you need a driver. Download it on another device and transfer via USB. Then install it manually. You can also use Windows Update if you have a backup connection.
Reinstall Audio Driver
Sound issues are common. Go to Device Manager, find Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and uninstall. Restart. Windows will reinstall the default driver. If that fails, download the driver from your motherboard or sound card maker.
Reinstall Printer Driver
Printers often have their own software. Uninstall the printer from Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Then download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. Run the installer.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 Using Command Prompt
For advanced users, Command Prompt can remove stubborn drivers. This method is useful if Device Manager fails.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt As Administrator
Search for cmd in the Start menu. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Use The Pnputil Command
Type the following command and press Enter:
pnputil /enum-driversThis lists all installed drivers. Find the one you want to remove. Note the Published Name (e.g., oem0.inf).
Step 3: Delete The Driver
Type this command, replacing oem0.inf with your driver’s name:
pnputil /delete-driver oem0.inf /uninstallPress Enter. The driver will be removed. Restart your PC to reinstall it.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 In Safe Mode
If a driver is causing your system to crash, boot into Safe Mode first. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers. This makes it easier to remove problematic ones.
Step 1: Boot Into Safe Mode
Restart your PC. As it boots, press F8 or Shift + F8 repeatedly. Alternatively, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.
Step 2: Uninstall The Driver
Open Device Manager. Uninstall the problematic driver as described earlier. Restart your PC normally. Windows will reinstall the driver.
How To Reinstall Drivers Windows 10 Using System Restore
If you recently installed a driver and things went wrong, System Restore can roll back. This is not exactly reinstalling, but it can fix issues.
Step 1: Open System Restore
Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu. Click on it. In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
Step 2: Choose A Restore Point
Select a restore point from before the driver problem started. Click Next and then Finish. Your PC will restart and revert to that state.
Common Mistakes When Reinstalling Drivers
Here are pitfalls to avoid:
- Not uninstalling the old driver first. This can cause conflicts.
- Downloading drivers from untrusted sites. Stick to official sources.
- Ignoring Windows Update. It often has stable drivers.
- Forgetting to restart after installation.
- Using the wrong driver version (32-bit vs 64-bit).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do I Reinstall All Drivers In Windows 10?
You cannot reinstall all drivers at once easily. The best approach is to use the Refresh Windows tool or reset your PC. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and choose Reset this PC. This reinstalls Windows and all default drivers. For a full driver reinstall, use a third-party tool.
How To Reinstall Network Drivers In Windows 10 Without Internet?
Download the driver on another device and transfer it via USB. Then install it manually. You can also use the Windows installation media to access drivers.
How To Reinstall Graphics Drivers In Windows 10?
Use Device Manager to uninstall the graphics driver. Then download the latest driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Run the installer and choose Clean Installation if available.
How To Reinstall Audio Drivers In Windows 10?
Go to Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and select Uninstall device. Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
How To Reinstall Printer Drivers In Windows 10?
Remove the printer from Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Then download the latest driver from the printer manufacturer’s website. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
Final Tips For Reinstalling Drivers
Always create a restore point before making changes. This gives you a safety net. Keep your drivers updated, but do not update them all at once. Test one at a time. If you encounter issues, roll back the driver. You can do this in Device Manager by right-clicking the device and selecting Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
Reinstalling drivers is a simple process once you know the steps. Whether you use Device Manager, Settings, or the manufacturer’s website, you can fix most hardware problems. Remember to restart your computer after each reinstall. This ensures the changes take effect.
If you still have issues, consider checking for Windows updates. Sometimes a system update includes driver fixes. You can also run the built-in troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Select the hardware category and run the tool.
With these methods, you now know how to reinstall drivers windows 10 effectively. Take it step by step, and your computer will run smoothly again.