How to Update and Roll Back Drivers to Fix BSOD Errors

One of the most common causes of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors on Windows is faulty or incompatible drivers. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause system instability and crashes, leading to sudden blue screens that interrupt your workflow. Fortunately, updating or rolling back problematic drivers can help fix these issues and restore your system’s stability.

1. What Are Drivers and Why Do They Cause BSOD Errors?

Drivers are essential software components that facilitate communication between your computer's hardware and the operating system. When drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with Windows updates, they can trigger BSOD errors.

2. How to Identify Problematic Drivers

Before updating or rolling back drivers, it’s crucial to identify which drivers are causing BSOD errors.

Check BSOD Error Logs:

1. Press Win + X and select Event Viewer.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
3. Look for errors marked with a red circle.
4. Analyze the error details to identify problematic drivers.

3. How to Update Drivers

Updating drivers to the latest version often fixes compatibility issues and enhances performance.

Method 1: Using Windows Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the device category (e.g., Display adapters).
3. Right-click the device and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Method 2: Downloading from the Manufacturer's Website

Sometimes, Windows doesn’t find the latest driver. In that case:

• Visit the official website of your hardware manufacturer.
• Search for the latest driver corresponding to your device model and OS version.
• Download and install the driver manually.

4. How to Roll Back Drivers

If a recent driver update caused BSOD errors, rolling back to a previous version might fix the issue.

1. Open Device Manager from the Start menu.
2. Locate the problematic device (e.g., Network adapters).
3. Right-click and select Properties.
4. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.
5. Choose a reason and confirm the rollback.
6. Restart your computer.

5. Best Practices for Driver Updates

• Always create a system restore point before updating drivers.
• Use reputable driver update tools to avoid malware and compatibility issues.
• Check the driver version and compare it with the manufacturer's latest release.
• Maintain regular backups to mitigate data loss from BSOD crashes.

6. Troubleshooting Persistent BSOD Errors

If updating or rolling back drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, consider these options:

• Run the System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted system files:

sfc /scannow

• Use the DISM tool to repair the Windows image:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• Perform a clean installation of Windows if all else fails.

7. Preventing Future BSOD Errors

Taking preventive measures can help minimize the occurrence of BSOD errors:

• Keep your system up to date with the latest Windows updates.
• Regularly scan your computer for malware and viruses.
• Avoid installing unverified third-party drivers from unknown sources.

Conclusion

BSOD errors caused by problematic drivers can disrupt your workflow and cause data loss. By following the steps outlined in this guide to update or roll back drivers, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering BSOD errors and keep your system running smoothly.

For more technical support and troubleshooting guides, visit Microsoft Support.