To reset a driver in Windows 11, right-click Start, open Device Manager, right-click the device that is misbehaving, choose Uninstall device, confirm with Uninstall, and then restart the PC. Windows tries to reinstall a fresh copy of the driver when it starts again.
Applies to: Windows 11 (the Device Manager steps are the same in Windows 10). Checked against Microsoft Support on October 7, 2026.
What resetting a driver means
A driver is the software that lets Windows talk to a piece of hardware such as a graphics card, sound chip, printer, or Wi-Fi adapter. Windows 11 has no single button labeled reset for drivers. In practice, resetting a driver means one of three things:
- Reinstall it: remove the device from Device Manager and let Windows set it up again. This is the best first choice when a device stops working or shows an error.
- Roll it back: return to the driver that was installed before the latest one. Choose this when the trouble started right after a driver or Windows update.
- Restore the system: use a restore point to return system files, registry settings, and installed programs to an earlier date. Keep this for cases where the first two do not help.
Before you start
- Save your work and close your apps. Resetting a driver ends with a restart.
- Sign in with an administrator account. Microsoft states that administrator permissions are required to roll back drivers.
- If you plan to reset a network adapter, download its driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer first, in case the PC has no internet connection until the driver is back.
Reset a driver by reinstalling it in Device Manager
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. You can also press Windows logo key + X to open the same menu. A window listing your hardware by category opens.
- Select the arrow next to the category that holds the device, for example Display adapters for a graphics card. The category expands to show each device.
- Right-click the device and select Uninstall device. A confirmation box appears.
- Select Uninstall. The device disappears from the list.
- Right-click Start, then select Shut down or sign out > Restart. During startup, Windows attempts to reinstall the driver.
- Open Device Manager again and check that the device is back in its category.
If the device does not come back after the restart, open the Action menu in Device Manager and select Scan for hardware changes. If Windows still does not install a driver, use the Windows Update or manual methods below. Microsoft documents this procedure in Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows.
Roll back to the previous driver
Use this method when a device worked until a recent update. Microsoft notes that a rollback often resolves problems that begin after Windows Update installs a new driver.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand the device’s category, right-click the device, and select Properties.
- Select the Driver tab.
- Select Roll Back Driver.
- Pick a reason for rolling back when Windows asks, then select Yes.
- Restart the PC if you are prompted.
Get a fresh driver from Windows Update
Windows Update installs recommended drivers automatically, and it also offers extra drivers as optional updates. To check for one after a reset:
- Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
- Under Additional options, select Optional updates.
- Check the driver you want and select Download and install.
- Restart the PC when the installation finishes.
For sound problems specifically, see our guide on how to update audio drivers in Windows 11.
Install a driver you downloaded from the manufacturer
If Windows cannot find a driver, download one from the official support page of your PC or hardware maker. Match it to your Windows version and unzip the download if it is compressed. Avoid generic third-party driver-updater utilities.
- Open Device Manager, right-click the device, and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Browse…, go to the folder that holds the downloaded driver, and select OK.
- Select Next. Windows installs the driver if it is newer than the current one. Otherwise it reports that the best drivers for your device are already installed.
- Select Close.
Use System Restore as a last resort
System Restore returns system files, registry settings, and installed programs to the state saved in a restore point, without affecting personal files. It only helps if a restore point exists from before the problem began.
- Press Windows logo key + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter. You can also open Control Panel, select Recovery, and then select Open System Restore.
- Select Next.
- Choose a restore point dated before the driver trouble started. Check Show more restore points to see older ones, and select Scan for affected programs to see what will change.
- Select Next, then Finish. Windows restarts on its own to complete the restore.
Microsoft explains the feature in its System Restore article.
How to confirm the reset worked
Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, and read the Device status box. An error code there means the driver is still not loading correctly. Then test the hardware itself: play a sound, print a page, or reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| Roll Back Driver cannot be selected | Make sure you are signed in as an administrator. If the button still cannot be used, reinstall the driver instead. |
| The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28) | Uninstall the device, then select Action > Scan for hardware changes. |
| Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39) | Uninstall the device, then scan for hardware changes. |
| Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43) | Uninstall the device, then scan for hardware changes. |
| This device cannot start. (Code 10) | Update the driver from the Driver tab in the device’s Properties. |
| Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. (Code 52) | Download the latest driver from the hardware manufacturer’s website. |
| You cannot uninstall devices or change drivers on a work or school PC | Your organization may restrict driver changes. Ask your IT administrator. |
Microsoft lists every code and its fix in Error codes in Device Manager in Windows. If nothing here works, contact the device manufacturer for the latest compatible driver.
Frequently asked questions
Will resetting a driver delete my files?
No. Uninstalling or rolling back a driver changes only the software for that device. System Restore changes system files, registry settings, and installed programs, and Microsoft states that it does not affect personal files. Regular backups are still a good habit.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for a screen that has gone black?
Yes. Microsoft lists Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B as the shortcut to wake up the device when the screen is blank or black. Try it before you reinstall a display driver.
Can I reset all drivers at once?
Device Manager works on one device at a time. System Restore is the built-in option that can return several drivers to an earlier state together, provided a suitable restore point exists.
What if resetting the driver does not fix the problem?
The cause may not be the driver. Check the Device status box for an error code, think about what changed just before the problem began, and contact the device manufacturer if the hardware itself may be faulty.
Start with the Device Manager reinstall, and move on to a rollback or Windows Update only if the device still misbehaves after the restart.
Related: how to turn on the touch screen in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.