How to Easily Restore Missing Drivers in Windows 10/11

System Restore One of the easiest ways to recover deleted drivers in Windows 10/11 is by using the System Restore feature. System Restore allows you to create restore points, which are snapshots of your computer’s state at a specific time. If you encounter missing drivers, you can revert to a previous restore point where the drivers were still intact. To use System Restore:
Right-click on the Start menu and select “Search”.
Type “System Restore” and open the “Create a restore point” option.
Click on “System Restore” and follow the on-screen instructions to select a previous restore point.
Once the restore process is complete, your drivers should be reinstated.

Roll Back Drivers

Another method to restore missing drivers is by rolling back to a previous version of the driver. This process involves uninstalling the current driver and reinstalling the previous version.
To roll back drivers:
Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting “Device Manager”.
Expand the device category and select the target device that doesn’t have a driver.
Double-click the target device to open its Properties window.
Click on the “Driver” tab and click the “Roll Back Driver” option to revert to the previously installed version of the driver.

Update Drivers Automatically

Windows 10 and 11 offer an automatic driver update feature that can help restore missing drivers. This feature allows Windows to search for and install the latest compatible drivers for your devices.
To update drivers automatically:
Open the Device Manager.
Right-click on the device with the missing driver and select “Update Driver”.
Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows will search for and install the latest compatible driver for your device.

Download Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website

If the previous methods don’t work or you can’t find the drivers through Windows Update, you can download them directly from the manufacturer’s website. This option is particularly useful if you have a custom-built PC or a device with a unique hardware configuration.
To download drivers from the manufacturer’s website:
Identify the make and model of your device or motherboard.
Visit the manufacturer’s website and navigate to the support or downloads section.
Search for the appropriate driver for your device and operating system.
Download the driver and follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Use a Driver Update Utility

Driver update utilities are third-party software tools designed to simplify the process of finding and installing missing drivers. These utilities can scan your system, identify missing or outdated drivers, and provide easy-to-install updates.
Some popular driver update utilities include:
Driver Easy
DriverBooster
SlimDrivers
To use a driver update utility:
Download and install the chosen driver update utility on your computer.
Run the utility and allow it to scan your system for missing or outdated drivers.
Review the results and select the drivers you want to update.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the updated drivers.

Conclusion

Restoring missing drivers in Windows 10 and 11 is crucial for maintaining a well-functioning system. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily identify and resolve driver-related issues. Remember to keep your drivers up-to-date by regularly checking for updates through Windows Update or the manufacturer’s website. If you encounter persistent problems, consider seeking assistance from a professional or contacting the device manufacturer for further support.