How can you improve device driver reliability and reduce crashes?

1 Update your device drivers regularly

One of the most common causes of device driver crashes is outdated or incompatible drivers. Updating your device drivers regularly can help you avoid potential conflicts, bugs, and security vulnerabilities. You can update your device drivers manually by visiting the manufacturer's website and downloading the latest version, or you can use a tool that automatically scans your system and installs the updates for you. However, be careful not to install drivers from untrusted sources or to update drivers that are working fine, as this may cause more problems.

2 Roll back or uninstall faulty device drivers

Sometimes, a device driver update may not work as expected and cause more issues than it solves. In that case, you can try to roll back or uninstall the faulty device driver and restore the previous version. To do this, you need to access the Device Manager from the Control Panel or the Start menu, and find the device that is causing trouble. Then, right-click on the device and select Properties. From there, you can choose to roll back the driver to the previous version, or uninstall the driver completely. If you uninstall the driver, you may need to restart your system and reinstall the driver from a reliable source.

3 Use the Windows troubleshooter

Another way to improve device driver reliability and reduce crashes is to use the Windows troubleshooter, a built-in tool that can help you diagnose and fix common problems with your hardware and software. To use the Windows troubleshooter, you need to open the Settings app from the Start menu, and select Update & Security. Then, click on Troubleshoot from the left sidebar, and choose the type of problem you want to troubleshoot, such as Bluetooth, audio, or printer. Follow the instructions on the screen and let the troubleshooter run and apply the recommended fixes.

4 Check for malware and viruses

Malware and viruses can also interfere with your device drivers and cause crashes, slowdowns, and errors. Therefore, it is important to scan your system regularly with a reliable antivirus program and remove any malicious or suspicious files. You should also avoid opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown sources, as they may contain malware that can infect your system and damage your device drivers. Additionally, you should backup your device drivers and your data regularly, in case you need to restore them in the event of a malware attack.

5 Optimize your system settings

Finally, you can improve device driver reliability and reduce crashes by optimizing your system settings and ensuring that your hardware and software are compatible and well-maintained. For example, you can adjust your power settings to prevent your devices from going into sleep mode or turning off when not in use, as this may cause communication errors or data loss. You can also disable unnecessary startup programs and services that may consume your system resources and affect your device performance. Furthermore, you can clean your registry and disk space to remove any clutter or errors that may slow down your system and cause device driver crashes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?