To update a USB driver in Windows 11, right-click the Start menu, select Device Manager, right-click the USB device or controller, and select Update driver. Choose the automatic search first; if Windows finds nothing newer, check Windows Update or install the driver supplied by the device or PC manufacturer.
Applies to: Windows 11 (the Device Manager steps are the same ones Microsoft publishes for Windows 10). Checked against Microsoft Support on October 6, 2026.
Before you start
A driver is the small piece of software that lets Windows talk to a piece of hardware. Windows 11 installs drivers for USB ports, hubs and most USB devices on its own, so you normally only need to update one by hand when a device stops working, shows an error, or the manufacturer tells you a newer driver is required.
- Save your work and close your apps. Some driver changes need a restart, and a USB keyboard, mouse or drive can disconnect for a moment while its driver is replaced.
- Use an administrator account. Microsoft notes that rolling back a driver requires administrator permissions, and a work or school PC may block driver changes entirely.
- Rule out the hardware first. Try another USB port and another cable, and plug the device straight into the PC instead of a hub or dock. A damaged connector, too little power or a failing flash drive cannot be fixed with a driver.
- Know which device you are fixing. If you are not sure what Windows calls it, first see the connected USB devices on Windows 11.
Update a USB driver with Device Manager
This is the route Microsoft documents for updating a single device driver. Windows searches for a newer driver and installs it for you.
- Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager. A window opens that lists your hardware by category.
- Select the arrow next to the category that contains your USB hardware to expand it. USB ports and hubs are grouped under the USB controllers category; a USB device such as a webcam, printer or drive is usually listed under its own device type.
- Find the device that is misbehaving. Several devices can appear in one category, and a device with a problem is marked with a yellow exclamation point.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver. The Update Drivers window opens.
- Select the automatic search option, which Microsoft Support lists as Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows looks for a newer driver and installs it if it finds one.
- If Windows does not find an updated driver, select Search for updated drivers on Windows update to look for one through Windows Update.
- Select Close to close the Update Drivers window. Restart the PC if Windows asks you to, then test the USB device again.
Get USB driver updates through Windows Update
Most USB driver updates arrive with regular Windows updates, so installing pending updates is often all that is needed.
- Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Check for updates. Windows shows your update status and anything that is available.
- If updates are available, select Download & install.
- Restart the PC when prompted. Windows tries to restart when you are not using the device; if it cannot, you can select Schedule the restart and pick a convenient time.
If Windows Update lists a driver update as optional, install it only when it matches the device that is giving you trouble. For hardware other than USB, see how to update drivers in Windows 11.
Install a USB driver from the manufacturer
Use this method when the PC maker, motherboard maker, dock maker or device maker offers a newer driver than Windows finds. USB behavior often depends on chipset, USB4, Thunderbolt or docking-station drivers that come from the manufacturer. Download drivers only from the manufacturer’s official support site, and avoid generic “USB driver pack” downloads from other sites.
- Download the driver for your exact device model from the device manufacturer’s site. If the download is a compressed folder, extract it and note where the files are saved.
- Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the category, right-click the device and select Update driver.
- In the Update Drivers window, select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select the Browse… button. In the Browse For Folder window, go to the folder where you saved the driver, then select OK.
- Check that the path shown is correct, then select Next. Windows installs the driver if it finds that it is a newer version than the one already installed.
- Select Close.
Some manufacturers supply the driver as an installer program instead of a folder of driver files. In that case, run the installer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather than using Device Manager.
Reinstall a USB driver that is not working
If updating does not help, removing the device and letting Windows set it up again often clears a damaged driver. This does not delete your files. Do not uninstall the keyboard or mouse you are using unless you have another way to control the PC until it restarts.
- Save all work and close all apps.
- Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager, then expand the category that contains the device.
- Right-click the device and select Uninstall device.
- In the Uninstall Device window, select Uninstall to confirm.
- Right-click the Start menu and select Shut down or sign out > Restart. After the restart, Windows attempts to reinstall the driver.
To reinstall without restarting, select Action on the Device Manager menu bar, then Scan for hardware changes. Microsoft notes that some devices, such as printers, might need to be reinstalled manually with the manufacturer’s software.
Confirm the update worked, or roll it back
Reconnect the USB device and use it normally. In Device Manager, the yellow exclamation point should be gone. To see the device’s current state, right-click it, select Properties, and read the Device status area.
If a device worked before a driver update and fails after it, return to the previous driver:
- In Device Manager, right-click the device and select Properties.
- Select the Driver tab.
- Select Roll Back Driver.
- Choose a reason when prompted, then select Yes to confirm.
Troubleshooting USB driver problems
Device Manager shows an error code
The Device status area shows a code that tells you what to do next. These are the codes most relevant to drivers, with the fix Microsoft documents for each.
| Code | What Windows reports | Documented fix |
|---|---|---|
| Code 10 | This device cannot start. | Update the driver from the Driver tab. |
| Code 22 | This device is disabled. | Select Action, then Enable Device. |
| Code 28 | The drivers for this device are not installed. | Uninstall the device, then use Scan for hardware changes. |
| Code 31 | Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. | Use Update driver; supply the manufacturer’s driver if asked. |
| Code 39 | The driver may be corrupted or missing. | Uninstall the device, then use Scan for hardware changes. |
| Code 43 | Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. | Reinstall the driver; if it returns, contact the hardware manufacturer. |
Microsoft’s list of error codes in Device Manager covers every other code.
Windows says the USB device is not recognized
Open Device Manager, find the device marked with a yellow exclamation point, and check its error code in Properties. If the device does not appear at all, the cause is more likely the cable, the port or the device itself than a driver.
Windows does not find a newer driver
That means Windows has nothing newer to offer. If the device still fails, install the manufacturer’s driver with the browse method above, or reinstall the device.
Roll Back Driver or Update driver is unavailable
Rolling back needs administrator permissions. On a work or school PC, driver changes may be managed by your organization, so ask your IT administrator.
A USB-C device has limited features or too little power
Microsoft’s USB-C troubleshooting guidance recommends connecting the device directly to the USB-C port on the PC instead of through a hub or dock, checking that the port supports the feature the device needs, and unplugging USB devices you are not using to free up power.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows 11 update USB drivers automatically?
Windows installs a driver when you connect a USB device and delivers many driver updates with regular Windows updates. Manual updating is for a device that is malfunctioning or needs a manufacturer-specific driver.
Will updating or reinstalling a USB driver delete my files?
No. A driver change affects how Windows communicates with the hardware, not the files stored on a USB drive or on your PC. Still, close open files on a USB drive first, because the drive can disconnect briefly.
Which entry do I update if I do not know which one is the faulty USB port?
Start with the entry marked with a yellow exclamation point. If nothing is marked, the driver is probably not the cause, so test a different port, cable and device before changing drivers. If the device only drops out after sitting idle, check the USB power settings in Windows 11 as well.
Where do I get a driver that Windows cannot find?
From the official support site of the PC, motherboard, dock or device manufacturer. Pick the download that matches your exact model and Windows 11.
Do I need a driver updater app?
No. Device Manager, Windows Update and the manufacturer’s own download cover every case in this guide, and Microsoft’s driver update instructions rely only on those built-in tools.
If the device still fails after an update, a reinstall and a different port and cable, test it on another computer; if it fails there too, the device itself most likely needs repair or replacement.
Related: How to reset USB ports on 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.