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, there are several things you can try. If you're trying to add a wireless device or a device on a network, but Windows can't find it, see Why isn't Windows finding my device?
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Windows tries to search online for a device driver, so make sure that you have an Internet connection. If you're not online, try reinstalling your device after you've connected to the Internet.
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
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.)
Under PC settings, tap or click Devices.
Under Download over metered Internet connections, move the slider to On.
Windows checks for the latest drivers by using automatic updating in Windows Update.
For more information about automatic updating, see Windows automatic updating: Frequently asked questions.
Make sure that you select the option to include recommended updates because some updates aren't included as important updates.
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 to install them or not.
To check Windows Update for drivers
Open Windows Update in Control Panel by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Windows Update in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Install optional updates.
Tap or click Check for updates, then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.
If updates are found, tap or click Install updates.
Read and accept the licence terms, then tap or click Finish if the update requires it.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
Tip
You can also check for updates in PC settings. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.) Under PC settings, tap or click Windows Update, then tap or click Check for updates.
If Windows Update can't find a driver for your device, check the device manufacturer's website or insert the disc that came with the device, then follow the instructions for installing the software.
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.
Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering hardware and devices in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Find and fix problems with devices.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
If the common resolutions here don't solve the problem you're experiencing, take a look at the hardware and drivers community page in the Windows forum for solutions to problems with specific devices which other people have found.
