How To Reset Unknown Driver

How to Reset Unknown Drivers in Windows

Dealing with unknown devices and drivers in your Device Manager can be frustrating. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods to identify and reset these unknown drivers, restoring your system's stability and functionality.

Understanding Unknown Devices

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand what causes unknown devices. An unknown device appears when Windows cannot identify a connected hardware component because it lacks the necessary driver. This often happens after:

• Installing new hardware: A new device might not have its driver automatically installed.
• Windows updates: Updates can sometimes cause driver conflicts or incompatibility.
• Driver corruption: A driver file might become corrupted or damaged.
• Hardware failure: A failing hardware component might prevent Windows from recognizing it correctly.

Methods to Reset Unknown Drivers

Let's explore various solutions to tackle this issue. Remember to restart your computer after each method to see if the problem is resolved.

1. Automatic Driver Update (Windows Update)

Windows often automatically updates drivers. Check for updates first:

• Open Settings (Windows key + I).
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Update.
• Click on Check for updates.

This might resolve the issue by installing the missing or updated drivers.

2. Manual Driver Update from Device Manager

If Windows Update doesn't resolve the problem, manually update the driver through Device Manager:

• Open Device Manager (search for it in the Windows search bar).
• Expand the category containing the unknown device (often under "Other devices").
• Right-click on the unknown device.
• Select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will search online for the appropriate driver. If this fails, you can try selecting "Browse my computer for drivers". This option allows you to manually specify the location of the driver file (if you have downloaded it beforehand).

3. Roll Back Driver

If the problem started recently after a Windows Update or driver installation, try rolling back the driver:

• Open Device Manager.
• Locate the unknown device.
• Right-click and select Properties.
• Go to the Driver tab.
• If "Roll Back Driver" is available, click it.

This will revert the driver to a previous version.

4. Uninstall and Rescan

Sometimes, a clean uninstall and rescan helps:

• Open Device Manager.
• Locate the unknown device.
• Right-click and select Uninstall device.
• Check the box "Delete the driver software for this device" (optional, but recommended for a clean reset).
• Restart your computer.
• Windows will automatically rescan for hardware and attempt to reinstall the driver.

5. Check Hardware Connections

Before concluding any software issue, ensure the hardware is correctly connected. Loose connections can prevent proper driver installation.

6. System Restore (Last Resort)

If all else fails, consider a system restore point from before the problem occurred. This restores your system's files and settings to a previous state. However, this will also undo other changes made since that restore point.

• Search for "Create a restore point" in the Windows search bar.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and reset unknown drivers, improving your system's stability and resolving any functionality issues related to unidentified hardware. Remember to always back up important data before making significant system changes.