Major Windows Update Causing Driver Issues? Here’s How to Fix It

| Updated on February 12, 2025

Is your driver causing issues? It is a common problem and usually arises when you update your Windows. You might not know this, but the driver plays a crucial role and without it, your system wouldn’t even function. But what does it do?

According to Microsoft, “A driver is a software component that lets the operating system and a device communicate. For example, when an app needs to read data from a device, it calls a function implemented by the operating system.” It works as a bridge between your hardware a software. 

In this article, I’ll tell you about a major Windows update causing driver issues and how you can solve it. So pay attention and read till the end.

What’s Happening?

Microsoft comes up with updates regularly. This is to fix any existing issues, glitches, and improve security. However, sometimes it can backfire, instead of making it smoother and reliable, it can interfere with your existing driver. You might experience these things:

  • Connectivity Failures: Your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will keep on disconnecting for no reason.
  • Poor Performance: Overall system including apps and sites will take longer to load.
  • Audio issues: Speakers and headphones will have trouble working properly. 
  • Hardware Malfunctioning: The Mouse, printer, and keyboard won’t respond precisely. 
  • Display Crashes: Resolutions might change automatically, and your screen will start flickering. Learn how to upgrade graphic drivers to get rid of this inconvenience. 

There could be several reasons why your driver is acting up, but the most common ones are that either Windows update hasn’t installed the latest driver or you are still using outdated drivers. 

In the infographic below you can see common causes for BSoD in Windows 10 and one of them is driver-related. 

Common Causes of BSoD on Windows 10

How to Identify Driver Issues

Here are a few steps you need to follow to identify driver issues: 

  1. Go to Device Manager: On your keyboard, press Windows + X and select Device Manager. 
  2. Observe Any Warning Signs: If there’s a yellow triangle next to your device name, it means there’s a problem. 
  3. Check Update History: Open settings > Update & Security> Windows Update > View Update History this way you can check if all the issues started recently after the update. 
  4. Run Hardware Troubleshooting: Windows gives you built-in troubleshooting tools, just go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. This will help you with identifying driver-related errors. 

Now you are aware of how you can find the issue, but in the next heading, I’ll tell you how you can fix it. 

Fixing the Driver Issues

Finally, I’m going to tell you how you can fix your driver issues. It’s not so hard, but you have to be attentive. Follow these steps: 

1. Roll Back the Problematic Driver

You should roll back the new driver this might resolve the problem: 

  • Go to Device Manager.
  • Choose Properties on the problematic driver.
  • Select Roll Back Driver. 

2. Manually Update the Driver

Always update your driver manually. Go to your device manufacturer’s site and see if they have released any new versions. They also give you a complete guide on how to update your driver. You are met with the most stable version this way.

3. Use a Trusted Driver Update Tool

It is a time-consuming process, but you can get help from the best driver update software as it will make things easier for you. It will handle all the tasks effectively and scan your system to see if you are using an outdated driver. 

4. Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver

Go old school and do the uninstallation and reinstall process:

  • Go to Device Manager.
  • Right-click on your device.
  • Uninstall Device.
  • Restart your PC.
  • Windows will automatically install the right driver.

5. Restore Windows to a Previous State

Restore your previous Windows if the driver issue isn’t going away:

  • Search System Restore in your Window search bar and open it
  • Choose the restore point from before and the update was installed.
  • Just follow the prompt and wait for your installation to complete.

You can try these 5 ways and one of them will solve your problem. 

Preventing Future Driver Issues

Just because you have fixed the defects, that doesn’t mean you are safe now. Follow the given things below to prevent future driver issues: 

  • Check for Driver Updates Regularly: Every once in a while check if there are any new versions and keep it up to date. 
  • Don’t Install Windows Update Right Away: Wait a week or two before installing the latest Windows update so if there’s any issue it will be reported, and you can stay cautious. 
  • Manual Update: Always go for manual update instead of automatic as it ensures the stability of your device. 
  • Opt to Driver Update Software: Use trusted tools to update your driver, it prevents sudden failures. 
  • Back-Up Your Driver: Save your previously used stable drivers manually before installing any latest Windows updates.

Make sure that you follow these things if you want to eliminate any such trouble in the future. 

PRO TIP
You should create a system restore point before updating your driver so you can easily revert it if there is any problem!

Final Thoughts

Windows updates

Windows updates can cause significant driver issues, which can be frustrating. 

However, by doing a few things you can fix that issue, and you do not need any external help to do so. 

Driver makes sure that your software and hardware work along and are in sync. Without it, you won’t be able to use them together. It is an important component, and you need to take care of it. 





Priyam Ghosh

Tech and Internet Writer


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