Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Missing Drivers on Windows 11

• To install any missing drivers on your Windows 11 system, navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, select the necessary driver, and click “Download & install.”
• You can still utilize Device Manager for driver installation, but you will need to manually provide the driver package because this tool no longer integrates with the Windows Update service.

While Windows 11 is capable of automatically detecting and installing a majority of drivers, there may be instances where manual intervention is necessary to install specific missing drivers.

If you’ve just added a device (like a printer, camera, or network card) and Windows 11 fails to detect it, there are at least two methods available for installing the required driver: through Windows Update or Device Manager.

This guide will explain how to download and install missing drivers on a Windows 11 computer.

• Install missing drivers via Windows Update on Windows 11
• Install missing drivers using Device Manager on Windows 11

Install missing drivers via Windows Update on Windows 11

Follow these steps to install any missing drivers on Windows 11:

1. Launch Settings on your Windows 11 device.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Access the Advanced options section.
4. Under the “Optional updates” area, click on the Optional updates option.

   

5. Choose the Driver updates option.
6. Identify and select the driver that your computer needs.

   

7. When ready, click on the “Download & install” button.

Following these steps will install the missing driver on your Windows 11 system.

It’s important to note that the drivers provided via Windows Update are typically basic, generic versions. To utilize the full features of your device, it’s advisable to download the latest driver version directly from the device manufacturer’s support webpage and use Device Manager for installation (instructions provided below).

Install missing drivers using Device Manager on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can also leverage Device Manager to install drivers. Before you start, ensure you have downloaded the driver package from the manufacturer’s support website either to your PC or a USB drive.

If the downloaded driver is in a “.zip” or “.cab” format, be sure to extract the files before following the instructions below.

To install a driver manually, make sure the package is ready or that your USB drive with the files is connected, then proceed with the following steps:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type Device Manager into the search bar and click the top result to launch the application.
3. Right-click on the device for which the driver is missing and choose the Update driver option.

   

   Note: Devices that need driver updates may show a yellow exclamation mark and be listed as unknown.
4. Select the “Browse my computer for drivers” option.

   

5. Click on the Browse button, then navigate to the folder that contains the missing driver files.

   

6. Choose the OK button.
7. Ensure that the Include subfolders option is checked.
8. Hit the Next button.
9. Follow any on-screen instructions, if required.

After completing these steps, the driver will be installed, granting the device the ability to communicate effectively with Windows 11.

If a device is malfunctioning despite having a driver installed, try uninstalling it first. You can do this by right-clicking the device, selecting “Uninstall device,” and then proceeding to reinstall the driver.

If you’re attempting to install a driver without a digital signature, Windows 11 may block this installation. If you trust the source, you can disable driver signature enforcement to allow the update to proceed.

For manual installations, you can also utilize a “.inf” file by selecting the “Let me pick” option followed by the “Have Disk” button. Just ensure that you select the appropriate “.inf” file to avoid system errors such as the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you install a driver from a “.exe” file?

If your driver download is a self-extracting executable (.exe), you can simply double-click the file to extract its contents and initiate the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts, and the driver will be installed automatically.

How can you install missing drivers on branded computers?

If you are using a laptop or desktop from a well-known manufacturer like Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, HP, or others, consider using their dedicated driver assistant tools to easily install and update all required drivers.

While some users opt for third-party applications that automate driver scanning and installation, these tools can lead to system issues or incorrect driver installations. Relying on official sources is typically safer.

Should I search for 64-bit or 32-bit drivers on Windows 11?

Whenever possible, opt for the 64-bit version of drivers. Although Windows 11 operates on a 64-bit architecture, it also supports 32-bit drivers.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.