When you connect a wired device to your PC, such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard,
Windows
automatically tries to install the correct driver for your device. A
driver is software that every device needs to work with your PC. If
Windows
can't find a driver for the device, here are several things you can
try. If you're trying to add a wireless device or a device on a network,
but
Windows isn't finding it, see
Why isn't Windows finding my device?
Windows tries to
search online for a device driver, so make sure you have an Internet
connection. If you're not online, try reinstalling your device after you
connect to the Internet.
If you're on a metered Internet connection, Windows
won't download device drivers unless you change the metered Internet
connections setting. You can change this setting in PC settings.
To change the metered Internet connections setting
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
Under PC settings, tap or click Devices.
Under Download over metered Internet connections, move the slider to On.
Make sure you select the option to include recommended updates because some updates aren't included as important updates.
Even if you already receive automatic updates, you can manually check for and install updated drivers in optional updates. Windows
Update doesn't install optional updates automatically, but we notify
you when there are some available, and then let you choose whether or
not to install them.
To check Windows Update for drivers
Open Windows Update in Control Panel by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search
(or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the
screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Windows Update in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Install optional updates.
Tap or click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.
If updates are found, tap or click Install updates.
Read and accept the license terms, and then tap or click Finish if the update requires it. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
Tip
- You can also check for updates in PC settings. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.) Under PC settings, tap or click Windows Update, and then tap or click Check for updates.
If Windows Update
can't find a driver for your device, check the device manufacture's
website, or insert the disc that came with the device, and then follow
the instructions for installing the software.
Note
- Many drivers come with software that installs the driver for you (often called a self-installing package).
You can try using the Hardware and Devices
troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common problems and
makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is
installed correctly.
-
Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search
(or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the
screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering hardware and devices in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Find and fix problems with devices. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
Note
To get the most up-to-date troubleshooters from the
Windows Online Troubleshooting Service, your PC should be connected to the Internet. For more info, see
Connect to the Internet.
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