How to Update Network Drivers: Complete Tutorial and Tips

Key Takeaways

To update network drivers, you can either use the Device Manager in Windows to automatically search for and install updates or visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers manually. Ensuring up-to-date network drivers can resolve connectivity issues and improve overall network performance.

What are Network Drivers?

Network drivers are essential pieces of software that enable communication between your computer’s operating system and the network hardware, such as network interface cards (NICs), Wi-Fi adapters, and Ethernet controllers. These drivers translate data between the hardware and the software, ensuring smooth and efficient data transfer across networks.

For a detailed understanding of network security, check out network vulnerability assessments.

How to Identify Your Network Driver Version?

Knowing the version of your network driver is essential for troubleshooting issues, ensuring compatibility, and keeping your drivers up-to-date. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify your network driver version on different operating systems.

For Windows:

1. Using Device Manager:

   • Step 1: Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
   • Step 2: In Device Manager, expand the Network Adapters section to see the list of network devices.
   • Step 3: Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties.
   • Step 4: Go to the Driver tab. Here, you can see the Driver Version along with other details like the driver provider and date.

2. Using Command Prompt:

   • Step 1: Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
   • Step 2: Type driverquery and press Enter. This command lists all the drivers installed on your system.
   • Step 3: Look for your network driver in the list. You can also use the command driverquery | findstr /i “network” to filter the results.

3. Using System Information:

   • Step 1: Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter to open the System Information tool.
   • Step 2: Navigate to Components > Network > Adapter.
   • Step 3: Find your network adapter in the list and check the Driver Version field for details.

For macOS:

1. Using System Information:

   • Step 1: Click the Apple logo in the top left corner and select About This Mac.
   • Step 2: Click on System Report.
   • Step 3: In the System Information window, go to Network > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet, depending on your connection).
   • Step 4: Find your network adapter and check the Version field for the driver version.

Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Network Drivers

Updating network drivers is an important task to ensure your computer maintains optimal performance, security, and compatibility. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to update network drivers for different operating systems.

For Windows:

1. Using Windows Update:

   • Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security.
   • Step 3: Click on Windows Update and then Check for updates.
   • Step 4: If Windows finds any updates for your network drivers, it will download and install them automatically.

2. Using Device Manager:

   • Step 1: Press Windows + X and then select Device Manager.
   • Step 2: Expand the Network adapters section to see the list of network devices.
   • Step 3: Right-click on network adapter and select Update driver.
   • Step 4: Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it if available.
   • Step 5: If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, you can select Browse my computer for driver software and manually locate the driver you’ve downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

3. Manual Update from Manufacturer’s Website:

   • Step 1: Identify your network adapter’s model from Device Manager (right-click the adapter > Properties > Details > Hardware IDs).
   • Step 2: Go to the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Broadcom).
   • Step 3: Download the latest driver for your network adapter model.
   • Step 4: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

4. Using Third-Party Software:

   • Step 1: Download and install reputable driver updates software like Driver Booster, Driver Easy, or DriverPack Solution.
   • Step 2: Open the software and scan for outdated drivers.
   • Step 3: Select the network driver from the list and click Update. The software will download and install the latest driver.

For macOS:

1. Using System Preferences:

   • Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and select System Preferences.
   • Step 2: Go to Software Update.
   • Step 3: Click on Update Now if any updates are available. macOS will check for updates, including network drivers, and install them.

2. Manual Update:

   • Step 1: Identify your network adapter model and version using the System Information tool (Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report).
   • Step 2: Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your network adapter.
   • Step 3: Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install the driver.

How to Automatic Network Driver Updates with Software?

Using third-party software to automate network driver updates can simplify the process and ensure that your drivers are always up-to-date. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use such software for automatic network driver updates.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Choose a Reliable Driver Update Software:

   • Some popular and reputable driver update tools include Driver Booster, Driver Easy, and DriverPack Solution. These tools can scan your system, identify outdated drivers, and automatically download and install the latest versions.

2. Download and Install the Software:

   • Visit the official website of the driver update software you have chosen.
   • Download the installer and run it.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer.

3. Run the Software and Scan for Updates:

   • Open the driver update software after installation.
   • Most driver update tools have a Scan button on the main interface. Click this button to start scanning your system for outdated drivers.
   • The software will analyze your hardware and current driver versions.

4. Review the Scan Results:

   • After the scan is complete, the software will display a list of outdated drivers.
   • Look for your network drivers in the list. They are typically listed under categories like Network adapters or Ethernet/Wi-Fi.

5. Update the Network Drivers:

   • Select the network drivers you want to update. You can often choose to update all outdated drivers or select specific ones.
   • Click the Update button next to the network drivers. The software will download and install the latest versions automatically.
   • Some tools may require you to create a restore point before updating, which is a good practice in case something goes wrong.

6. Restart Your Computer:

   • After the updates are installed, you may be prompted to restart your computer. Save any open work and restart your computer to ensure the new drivers are fully integrated.

Example Using Driver Booster:

1. Go to the Driver Booster official website and download the installer.
2. Run the downloaded installer and follow the installation instructions.
3. Open Driver Booster. On the main interface, click the Scan button.
4. Driver Booster will scan your system and display a list of outdated drivers. Locate your network drivers in the list.
5. Select the network drivers you want to update and click the Update Now button. Driver Booster will download and install the latest drivers for you.
6. After the update, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Benefits of Using Driver Update Software:

• Convenience: Automated tools make the process of updating drivers simple and quick.
• Safety: Many driver update tools create restore points before updating drivers, allowing you to roll back changes if necessary.
• Comprehensive Updates: These tools often update multiple drivers simultaneously, ensuring your entire system is up-to-date.
• Regular Scans: Some software can be configured to perform regular scans and notify you when updates are available.

Troubleshooting Common Driver Update Issues

Updating drivers, especially network drivers, can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. Here’s a guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve common problems that may arise during or after updating network drivers.

1. Driver Installation Fails

Possible Causes:

• Incompatible driver version
• Corrupted driver file
• Insufficient permissions

Solutions:

• Download the Correct Driver: Ensure you’re downloading the correct driver version for your specific network adapter model and operating system from the manufacturer’s website.
• Run as Administrator: Right-click on the driver installer file and select Run as Administrator to give it the necessary permissions.
• Check for Corruption: Redownload the driver file to ensure it’s not corrupted.

2. Network Connection Drops Frequently

Possible Causes:

• Driver incompatibility
• Incorrect driver settings
• Interference from other drivers or software

Solutions:

• Rollback the Driver: If the new driver is causing issues, roll back to the previous version:
  • Open Device Manager.
  • Right-click on the network adapter and select Properties.
  • Click Roll Back Driver from the driver tab.
• Check Network Settings: Ensure that network settings such as IP configuration and DNS settings are correctly set.
• Update Again: Sometimes installing the same driver again or updating to a newer version can resolve the issue.

3. Network Adapter Not Detected

Possible Causes:

• Driver not properly installed
• Hardware issues
• Driver conflicts

Solutions:

• Reinstall the Driver:
  • Open Device Manager.
  • Right-click on the network adapter (or unknown device if it’s not listed properly) and select Uninstall device.
  • Restart your computer and let Windows attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
• Check Hardware: Ensure the network adapter is properly connected if it’s an external adapter. For internal adapters, ensure it’s seated properly on the motherboard.
• Disable/Enable Device: Right-click the network adapter in Device Manager and select Disable device, then enable it again.

4. Slow Network Performance After Update

Possible Causes:

• Suboptimal driver settings
• Background processes or software conflicts
• Need for further driver updates

Solutions:

• Check Driver Settings: Open the network adapter’s properties in Device Manager and check the settings under the Advanced tab. Ensure settings like speed and duplex are set correctly.
• Update Other Drivers: Sometimes, updating related drivers (e.g., chipset drivers) can resolve performance issues.
• Check for Conflicts: Disable or uninstall other networking-related software to see if it resolves the issue.

5. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) After Update

Possible Causes:

• Critical driver conflict
• Hardware incompatibility
• Corrupt driver installation

Solutions:

• Boot into Safe Mode: Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, the system loads only essential drivers.
• Rollback or Uninstall Driver: In Safe Mode, open Device Manager, find your network adapter, and either roll back the driver or uninstall it.
• Check Event Viewer: Use Event Viewer to identify the specific driver or error causing the BSOD. Look under Windows Logs > System for critical errors.

6. Driver Not Listed in Device Manager

Possible Causes:

• Device hidden or unrecognized
• Hardware malfunction
• Incorrect driver installation

Solutions:

• Show Hidden Devices: In Device Manager, click View and select Show Hidden Devices. If the network adapter appears, update the driver.
• Reseat Hardware: If it’s a physical adapter, reseat it to ensure a good connection.
• Scan for Hardware Changes: In Device Manager, click Action and select Scan for Hardware Changes.

General Tips:

• Create a System Restore Point: Always create a system restore point before updating drivers. This allows you to revert your system to a previous state if something goes wrong.
• Use Reliable Sources: Download drivers from the official manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update to ensure you’re getting the correct and safe version.
• Backup Drivers: Before making changes, use tools like Double Driver to back up your existing drivers.

Why Updating Network Drivers is Essential?

Updating network drivers is a critical task for maintaining the overall health and performance of your computer’s network capabilities. Network drivers, the software that facilitates communication between your computer’s operating system and its network hardware, play a vital role in ensuring stable and efficient network connections. Here are several key reasons why keeping these drivers up-to-date is essential:

1. Performance Enhancements

Network driver updates often include optimizations that improve the performance of your network hardware. This can result in:

• Faster Data Transfer Rates: Enhanced drivers can increase the speed at which data is transmitted and received over the network, making activities like streaming, downloading, and online gaming smoother.
• Better Responsiveness: Updated drivers can reduce latency, improving the responsiveness of your network connection, which is particularly beneficial for real-time applications such as video conferencing and online gaming.

2. Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements

Software bugs can lead to various issues such as network disconnections, slow speeds, and crashes. Driver updates frequently address these problems:

• Bug Fixes: Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix known issues in previous driver versions, leading to a more stable and reliable network connection.
• Enhanced Stability: Updates often include enhancements that prevent crashes and connection drops, ensuring continuous and dependable network performance.

3. Security Patches

Security vulnerabilities in network drivers can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access to your system. Updating drivers helps protect against these threats:

• Protection Against Exploits: Updated drivers include security patches that fix vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and ensuring your data remains secure.
• Compliance with Security Standards: Keeping drivers updated ensures compliance with the latest security protocols and standards, offering better protection against evolving threats.

4. Compatibility with New Technologies

As network technologies evolve, so do the requirements for drivers. Updating your drivers ensures compatibility with the latest advancements:

• Support for New Hardware: New driver versions may include support for newer network hardware, allowing you to take advantage of the latest technological improvements.
• Compatibility with Operating System Updates: Operating systems receive regular updates that can affect driver compatibility. Updating your network drivers ensures they work seamlessly with the latest OS versions and updates.

5. Access to New Features

Manufacturers occasionally introduce new features through driver updates that can enhance your network experience:

• Advanced Features: Features like improved power management, advanced diagnostics, and enhanced networking capabilities may be included in driver updates.
• Better Configuration Options: Updated drivers can offer better configuration options and user interfaces, making it easier to optimize your network settings.

6. Manufacturer Recommendations

Hardware manufacturers typically recommend keeping drivers up-to-date to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Following these recommendations helps:

• Maintaining Warranty and Support: Ensuring your drivers are updated can be required to maintain hardware warranties and receive technical support.

Optimized Hardware Performance: Manufacturers design updates to get the best performance out of their hardware, which can only be achieved by using the latest drivers.