Windows 11 can deliver driver updates through Windows Update, and you can also check a specific device in Device Manager. This gives you a simple way to check drivers for Bluetooth, keyboards, mice, audio, Wi-Fi, graphics hardware, and other devices on your PC or laptop.
Start with Windows Update. It can include driver updates along with other Windows updates. If you need to check one piece of hardware, use Device Manager next. For an Nvidia graphics card, you can also check for graphics driver updates in the Nvidia app.
Video Tutorial
Check Windows Update first
Keeping Windows 11 up to date is the first method to use. Available Windows updates can include updates for drivers used by devices connected to or built into your computer.
- Go to the Windows taskbar and right-click the Start button.
- Select Settings.
- Select Windows Update near the bottom of the Settings sidebar.
- Wait for the page to load, then select Check for updates.
- If updates are available, go through the update process to install them.
This is a useful first check when you want to update several parts of your PC without selecting each device separately. Let Windows Update check for available updates before moving on to a device-specific method.
Update one device through Device Manager
Device Manager lists the hardware detected on your Windows 11 computer. Use it when you know which device needs attention, such as a Bluetooth adapter, keyboard, mouse, or another item listed in the tool.
- Select the Windows Start button.
- Search for and open Device Manager.
- Find the category that contains the device you want to update.
- Select the small arrow next to that category to show its devices.
- Right-click the specific device.
- Select Update driver.
Windows 11 then gives you two choices. If you already have a driver in mind, select Browse my computer for drivers. This option is for choosing a driver from your computer.
For a standard update check, select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will check whether an updated driver is available for that device. If an update is found, you can install it from there. If Windows reports that no update is available, the driver is already up to date according to that check.
Use the Nvidia app for Nvidia graphics drivers
Graphics driver updates can work differently depending on the graphics card in your computer. The method shown here applies to an Nvidia graphics card and uses the Nvidia app.
- Go to the taskbar.
- Select the arrow in the taskbar notification area to show additional icons.
- Find the Nvidia app.
- Right-click it and select Nvidia app.
- Give the app time to open.
- Select Drivers.
- Check whether a graphics driver update is available.
- Download the available update to install the latest graphics card driver.
The Drivers section shows the update status for the Nvidia graphics card. If an update is listed, download it through the app. Once it downloads and installs, your graphics hardware will be using the latest driver available through that app.
Which method should you use?
Use Windows Update as your general starting point. It checks the overall Windows 11 update status and can include driver updates for different devices.
Use Device Manager when you want to focus on one device. For example, if you are checking Bluetooth, expand the Bluetooth category, choose the relevant device, and use Update driver. The same approach applies to other hardware categories, including keyboards and mice.
Use the Nvidia app when your PC has an Nvidia graphics card and you want to check its graphics driver directly. Open the app from the taskbar area, then use its Drivers section to see available updates.
Keep driver checks simple
You do not need to use every method each time. Check Windows Update first, then use Device Manager for a particular device if needed. If your computer uses Nvidia graphics, check the Nvidia app when you specifically want to review graphics driver updates.
These options let you check the drivers Windows 11 manages, inspect individual hardware devices, and review Nvidia graphics drivers from the appropriate app.
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