Drivers are an essential component of a computer system. They act as a bridge to connect the external and internal hardware to the operating system of the PC. Evidently, it becomes necessary to keep computer drivers updated with the latest version for proper functioning and avoiding system crash.
Although modern OS such as Windows 10 and Windows 11 ensures that drivers are automatically updated with every Windows update, it does not happen always.
In this post, we will know how to check if the system drivers are up to date or not.
Why is it essential to update drivers?
As mentioned above, drivers ensure that the essential hardware components such as GPU, Display, Sound, webcam, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., work smoothly. Keeping the drivers updated is important because they contain system information such as OS version, settings, etc. They communicate this information to the hardware for proper functioning.
If the drivers are not updated, they will not be getting the latest system information, and hardware wouldn’t know about the changes in the OS.
Another reason to keep drivers updated is that the latest update will ensure that the security protocols are also updated and therefore keep the malicious attacks aways from the device.
Outdated drivers can cause the following common problems:
- External Mouse not detected
- Webcam not functioning properly
- Display Problems
- Games lagging
- Overheating problem in CPU
- Slow WiFi connection
- Device not pairing with Bluetooth
- Sound not working
How to check if Drivers are up to date?
You can easily check the status of your drivers through the in-built Device Manager or using the third-party driver updating software.
Use Device Manager to know if Drivers are Up to Date
Windows Device Manager is a valuable component to keep track of installed drivers and keep them updated. You can easily check whether your system drivers are updated or not using Device Manager.
- Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager from the menu.
- To check if the driver is updated or not, right-click on it and select the Update driver option.
- On the next window, click on Search automatically for drivers.
- If the driver is outdated, it will start getting updated. However, if the driver is already updated, you will see this window.
- If you want, you can click on Search for updated drivers on Windows Update to further verify the update status of the driver.
- One by one, check the status of all essential drivers to ensure that they are up to date.
Use Third-Party Applications to check if Drivers are Up to Date
Manually checking for driver updates through Device Manager can be tedious and time-consuming. If the drivers are large in number, you might even miss out on some of them. In such a case, it is best to use a third-party driver updater program. Driver Updaters are dedicated programs that can automatically check and update system drivers.
If you look on the internet, you will find tons of driver updating applications. However, only a few of them are genuine and work correctly.
Here are the top driver updaters you can get:
Avast Driver Updater
Avast is popularly known for its security programs. However, it also provides many PC optimization tools; one of those is Avast Driver Updater.
Avast Driver Updater scans your PC for outdated drivers and replaces them with the latest version available in its database. It servers around whooping 5 million drivers. That means there is a good chance it has all the essential drivers for your PC. Moreover, it creates a backup of the existing drivers in case things go south. It comes with a trial period of 15 days on the first installation.
The application is pretty light to the system and does not consume many resources. Previously, it used to come bundled with Avast Ultimate, but now it is a standalone application. With its straightforward UI and simple options, it’s a great driver updater application.
Driver Booster
Driver Booster from IObit is one of the best driver booster programs available for Windows. It is not only a driver updater but also a system optimizer. It also updates the essential gaming components to their latest version for a smooth gaming experience on Windows 11.
Driver Booster has a collection of 3.5 million drivers and game components. That means you don’t have to look on several websites for the driver. It is a one-stop solution for all your driver needs. You can get started using the Driver Booster Pro key and fix the outdated drivers problem in one click.
The latest version comes with Offline Driver Updater, which can update the drivers on the device which doesn’t have the internet. You just have to export the device info, and the program would download the required drivers on the device where the internet is available.
Should I update the drivers frequently?
Though frequently updating the drivers is an excellent habit for running your system smoothly, there are some reported cases where updating the drivers has caused troubles in the system. If you are continuously facing problems with the external hardware of your PC, the best way to solve the issue is by updating your drivers. It will enhance the overall system performance and reduce compatibility issues.
Yes, Windows 10 and 11 update the system driver automatically through OS updates. However, sometimes you might not get the latest driver version through Windows updates.
Some driver updaters like Driver Booster supports an update schedule through which you can set on which time you want to update your system drivers.