How to Install or Update USB Drivers in Windows 10/11

Category: Troubleshooting

USB drivers are essential for ensuring that your devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, and printers, work correctly when connected to your Windows PC. If your USB devices aren't functioning as expected, outdated or missing drivers could be the cause. This guide will help you install or update USB drivers on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Why You Need to Update USB Drivers

Keeping your USB drivers up to date is essential for several reasons:

  • Ensures compatibility with the latest devices and peripherals.
  • Fixes bugs and performance issues from older drivers.
  • Enhances overall system stability and reliability.
  • Reduces the risk of USB connection problems and data transfer errors.

2. How to Check Your USB Driver Version

Before updating, check your current driver version:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" category.
3. Right-click the USB device and select "Properties".
4. Go to the "Driver" tab and check the version and date.

3. Updating USB Drivers via Windows Update

Windows Update is one of the easiest methods to get the latest drivers:

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click "Check for updates".
4. If USB driver updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

4. Manually Updating USB Drivers via Device Manager

If Windows Update doesn’t work, manually update the drivers via Device Manager:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section.
3. Right-click the problematic USB device and select "Update driver".
4. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".
5. Follow the prompts to complete the update.

5. Downloading Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website

If the above methods don’t yield results, download drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website:

  • Visit the official website of your device manufacturer (e.g., Dell, HP, ASUS).
  • Go to the Support or Drivers section.
  • Search for your device model and download the latest USB drivers.
  • Install the downloaded drivers by following the on-screen instructions.

6. Uninstalling and Reinstalling USB Drivers

If updating the drivers doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling:

1. Open Device Manager and expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers".
2. Right-click the USB device and select "Uninstall device".
3. Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

7. Troubleshooting Common USB Driver Issues

If your USB devices still don’t work after updating the drivers, try these troubleshooting tips:

  • Try a different USB port to rule out port-specific issues.
  • Use a different USB cable or adapter to check for physical damage.
  • Perform a Windows System Restore to revert to a previous stable state.
  • Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager to detect new devices.

Conclusion

Keeping your USB drivers up to date is essential for smooth operation and compatibility with the latest peripherals. By using Windows Update, Device Manager, or downloading drivers from the manufacturer’s website, you can ensure that your USB devices function properly. If you encounter persistent issues, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers as a last resort. For further assistance, visit the Microsoft Support page.

Tags:

Windows USB Updates Drivers
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