Quick answer
First open Device Manager and find devices with a yellow exclamation mark, then right-click and run the automatic driver update option. If that fails, download the driver from the official website of the PC or component manufacturer and install it manually, using the exact model and Windows version.
How to recognize the problem
- Devices in Device Manager have a yellow exclamation mark or unknown device label
- No sound, Wi-Fi not visible or screen resolution is low
- Printer or scanner does not appear in the device list
- Windows shows a message at sign-in that a driver is missing or not compatible
- USB device works only in some ports or does not respond at all
Most common causes
Windows did not find a suitable driver
After a clean install or major update, Windows often does not recognize older or specialized components and leaves them without a driver.
Driver is corrupted or deleted
A failed update, power interruption or program removal can delete driver files or corrupt its registry entry.
Wrong or outdated driver installed
A manually downloaded driver for another model or older Windows version can cause a conflict and the device stops working.
Component is new for your Windows version
A new chipset, graphics card or network adapter may require a driver that Windows Update does not yet offer.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Open Device Manager
Right-click the
Startbutton and selectDevice Manager. Alternatively, pressWin + Xand select the same item. The window will show a list of all devices by category. - 2
Find devices without drivers
Expand the categories and look for icons with a yellow triangle and exclamation mark. They are usually under
Other deviceswith names likeUnknown deviceorNetwork Controller. Note the exact device name. - 3
Check device details
Double-click the problematic device and open the
Detailstab. In the drop-down menu selectHardware Idsand copy the first line, for examplePCI\VEN_8086&DEV_.... That code helps you identify the exact component model. - 4
Try automatic update
Right-click the device and select
Update driver, thenSearch automatically for drivers. Windows will try to find the driver locally and via Windows Update. Wait for the process to finish and check if the exclamation mark is gone. - 5
Run Windows Update
Open
Settings > Windows Updateand clickCheck for updates, thenAdvanced options > Optional updates. In the driver section, select the offered items and install them. Restart the computer when finished. - 6
Download the driver from the manufacturer's website
Go to the official website of the PC or component manufacturer and in the support section enter the exact model and Windows version (for example Windows 11 64-bit). Download the driver for chipset, network or graphics and run the installation. Avoid websites with "universal" drivers.
- 7
Install the driver manually via Device Manager
If you downloaded an
.inffile, in Device Manager right-click the device and selectUpdate driver > Browse my computer for drivers. Point Windows to the folder with the extracted driver and confirm. After installation, restart the computer. - 8
Check that everything is fine
Open Device Manager again and make sure there are no yellow exclamation marks. Test the component: play sound, connect to Wi-Fi or print a test page. If the device still does not work, roll back to the previous driver via
Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
If nothing helps
When the driver cannot be installed even from the manufacturer's website, check whether the device is functional at all: open Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices and see if the component appears as disabled. Sometimes the solution is to check in BIOS whether the device is enabled (for example integrated network card or sound). If it is a laptop, the manufacturer often offers a single driver installation tool that recognizes the model. As a last option, you can use a system restore point (System Restore) to a date before the problem appeared, but that will not install a driver that was never present. For older devices, check whether the manufacturer still offers a driver for your Windows version; if not, the device may not work at full capacity.
How to prevent it
- Regularly install Windows Update and optional drivers
- Create a system restore point before a major update
- Download drivers only from the official manufacturer's website
- Note the model of the computer and components before reinstalling the system
When to call a professional
If after several attempts the device still does not work, or you do not know the exact component model and are afraid of installing the wrong driver, it is better to contact IT support who can identify the hardware and safely get it working.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
How do I know which driver is missing?
Open Device Manager and look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark. Double-click the device, open the Details tab and select Hardware Ids to see the manufacturer and model identification codes.
Is it safe to use programs for automatic driver detection?
Not recommended. Such programs often install wrong or outdated drivers and can introduce unwanted software. It is more reliable to use Windows Update and the official manufacturer's website.
What if the manufacturer no longer offers a driver for my Windows?
Try installing the driver for an older Windows version in compatibility mode, by right-clicking the installation file and selecting Properties > Compatibility. If that also fails, the device may not work at full capacity on the newer system.