What if a device isn't installed properly?

When you connect a wired device to your PC, such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard, Windows automatically tries to install the correct driver for your device. A driver is software that every device needs to work with your PC. If Windows can't find a driver for the device, here are several things you can try. If you're trying to add a wireless device or a device on a network, but Windows isn't finding it, see Why isn't Windows finding my device?

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Make sure your PC is connected to the Internet

Windows tries to search online for a device driver, so make sure you have an Internet connection. If you're not online, try reinstalling your device after you connect to the Internet.

Check your metered Internet connections setting

If you're on a metered Internet connection, Windows won't download device drivers unless you change the metered Internet connections setting. You can change this setting in PC settings.

To change the metered Internet connections setting

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Under PC settings, tap or click Devices.

  3. Under Download over metered Internet connections, move the slider to On.

Make sure automatic updating is turned on

Windows checks for the latest drivers by using automatic updating in Windows Update. For more info about automatic updating, see Windows automatic updating: Frequently asked questions.

Make sure you select the option to include recommended updates because some updates aren't included as important updates.

For more info about getting recommended drivers for your devices, see Automatically get drivers and updates for your hardware.

Check for drivers using Windows Update

Even if you already receive automatic updates, you can manually check for and install updated drivers in optional updates. Windows Update doesn't install optional updates automatically, but we notify you when there are some available, and then let you choose whether or not to install them.

To check Windows Update for drivers

  1. Tap or click to open Windows Update.

  2. Tap or click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.

  3. If updates are found, tap or click Install updates.

    Read and accept the license terms, and then tap or click Finish if the update requires it. Administrator permission required You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

    Note

    Note

    You might need to restart your PC to finish installing some updates. Save and close all your files and apps before you restart so you don't lose anything.

Tip

Tip

You can also check for updates in PC settings. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.) Under PC settings, tap or click Windows Update, and then tap or click Check for updates.

Install software for the device

If Windows Update can't find a driver for your device, check the device manufacture's website, or insert the disc that came with the device, and then follow the instructions for installing the software.

Note

Note

Many drivers come with software that installs the driver for you (often called a self-installing package).

Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

You can try using the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

Check for answers in the Windows community

If the common resolutions here don’t solve the problem you’re experiencing, check out the hardware and drivers community page in the Windows forum for solutions to problems with specific devices that other people have found.

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