For Windows to recognize your device, you might need to find and install a compatible driver. Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the mouse, touchpad, or keyboard.
If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current device driver was designed for the previous version of Windows.
If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become corrupted.
Downloading and installing the latest driver for your mouse, touchpad, or keyboard can resolve these types of problems. Here are three ways to find and install a driver:
Use Windows Update. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can update system features and other software that might help to fix your device problems.
Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your device came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the device.
Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your device and the device didn't come with software that installs a driver.
For more information about updating your device driver, follow the steps below that apply to the version of Windows you have on your computer. For information about devices that are compatible with Windows, go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center website.
In the left pane, click Check for updates.
If there are any available updates, click the links to see more information about each update. Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Each type of update might include drivers. For more information, see Understanding Windows automatic updating.
On the Select the updates you want to install page, look for updates for your device, select the check box for the driver that you want to install, and then click OK.
There might not be any available driver updates.
On the Windows Update page, click Install updates. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Windows Update will tell you if the updates were successfully installed.
Some updates require you to restart your computer. For more information about Windows driver updates, see Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.
If Windows can't find a driver for your device, and the device didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support sections of their websites. To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your device, and then go to the Hardware and software vendor contact information website.
After you find your manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your device. If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.
Some devices have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
To see if updated drivers are available, click View available updates. Windows Update will list any updated drivers that are available for devices installed in your computer.
If updates are available, click the driver that you want to install, and then click Install. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Some updates require you to restart your computer.
If Windows can't find a driver for your device, and the device didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support sections of their websites. To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your mouse, keyboard, touchpad or other pointing device, and then go to the Hardware and software vendor contact information website.
After you find your manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver. If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.
In Device Manager, locate the device you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions.
After you find the manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your device. Driver updates are often available in the support sections of their websites. If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.
Go to the Windows Update website.
Click Custom, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
In the left pane, click Hardware, click Optional, and then select any hardware driver updates for your computer.
Click Review and install updates, and then click Install Updates.
You should also install any high priority updates.
If you can't get the latest driver through Windows Update, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your device, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find the manufacturer, go to its website to locate and download the latest driver for your device.
If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.
Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.
