How to Resolve Greyed Out Roll Back Driver Option in Windows 11

Key Notes

  • Alternative methods available when Roll Back Driver is greyed out.
  • Steps include Safe Mode usage, driver scanning, and system restore.
  • Accessing previous driver versions from manufacturer websites.

How to Reinstall an Older Version of a Driver in Windows 10 or 11

This guide outlines methods to revert to a previous version of a device driver in Windows when the Roll Back Driver option is disabled. Learn how to handle device driver issues effectively.

Alternative Methods for Driver Reversion

If the Roll Back Driver option in Device Manager is greyed out, try these methods to install the previous version of your device driver:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode
  2. Search for existing drivers on your computer
  3. Download from the manufacturer’s website
  4. Uninstall the latest Windows Update
  5. Use System Restore

Step 1: Enter Safe Mode

Starting your computer in Safe Mode may allow the Roll Back Driver option to function. Here’s how you do it:

  • Restart your PC and press F8 (or Shift + F8 on some systems) repeatedly to access the Advanced Boot Options.
  • Select Safe Mode with Networking.

Once in Safe Mode, try accessing Device Manager and check if the Roll Back Driver option is available.

Step 2: Scan for Driver Versions

If older driver versions exist on your hard drive, you can manually search for them:

  • Open Device Manager.
  • Right-click on the desired device and select Update driver.
  • Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
  • Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
  • Ensure to check the Show compatible hardware box to display available drivers.
  • Select a suitable driver and click Next to install it.

Step 3: Download from Manufacturer

To find the previous version of your driver, visit the manufacturer’s site and look up your specific model:

  • Navigate to the support or downloads section.
  • Input your device model number.
  • Look under the driver section to find any previous versions available for download.

Step 4: Remove Recent Windows Update

If you’ve recently installed a Windows Update that may have included a problematic driver, consider uninstalling it:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click on Update & Security.
  • Select Windows Update then View update history.
  • Choose Uninstall updates and find the recent update to remove it.

Step 5: Perform a System Restore

Using System Restore can revert the system state to when the drivers were functioning well:

  • Search for System Restore in the Windows search bar.
  • Select a restore point dated before the issue occurred.
  • Follow the prompts to restore your system to that state.

Enabling the Roll Back Driver Option

The Roll Back Driver option is enabled when a new driver has been installed. If it remains off, consider updating or reinstalling the driver to enable this feature.

Summary

This guide provided step-by-step methods to reinstall a previous version of a device driver when the Roll Back Driver option is disabled in Windows 10 or 11. Implementing these strategies can help resolve common device driver issues, ensuring better device functionality.

Conclusion

By following these methods, you can successfully restore previous versions of device drivers, overcoming hardware issues effectively. Don’t hesitate to explore additional resources for more in-depth information on driver management.

FAQ

What does Device Driver Rollback do?

It reinstalls a previous version of a device driver, which is helpful for resolving hardware issues after a driver update.

What to do if Roll Back Driver is greyed out?

Try the alternative methods listed above, such as booting into Safe Mode or checking for previous drivers on your computer.