Updating your drivers: the complete guide to avoid crashes

"My PC crashes at random" or "Windows shows a blue screen for no reason", in most of these cases, the culprit is hiding in an outdated or corrupted driver. According to Windows crash statistics compiled by Microsoft, faulty drivers are responsible for nearly 30% of BSODs (Blue Screen of Death).

This guide walks you through identifying risky drivers, knowing which ones to update first, and updating them without breaking your system.

Why outdated drivers cause crashes#

A driver is the software that bridges Windows and a hardware component: graphics card, network card, audio processor, and so on. When that driver is incompatible with the installed version of Windows, buggy or simply out of date, problems start to show up:

• Blue screens (BSODs) caused by memory conflicts
• Graphical glitches or game crashes
• Unexplained Wi-Fi drops
• Crackling or missing sound
• Abnormal overheating (poor power management)

Windows Update automatically downloads some generic drivers, but they're rarely the latest or the most optimised. Manufacturers regularly release corrective updates, often in response to bugs reported by users.

Which drivers to prioritise#

Not every driver carries the same risk. Here's the 2026 priority list:

Graphics card (GPU) : top priority#

This is the driver that gets updated most often and is most often the source of issues. NVIDIA, AMD and Intel release updates monthly or even fortnightly. An outdated GPU driver can cause in-game crashes, display problems and excessive power consumption.

Motherboard chipset#

The chipset driver handles communication between the processor, RAM and other components. AMD regularly releases updates for its AM4/AM5 chipsets. So does Intel for its 12th, 13th and 14th gen series. A poorly managed chipset can degrade overall system performance.

Network card (Wi-Fi and Ethernet)#

Outdated network drivers cause dropouts, high latency and compatibility issues with recent protocols (Wi-Fi 6E, 7). Worth updating especially if you have connection problems.

Audio#

Less critical, but Realtek or Intel HD Audio drivers can cause crackling, dropouts, or crash certain pro audio applications if they're too old.

BIOS / UEFI#

Not strictly a driver, but the motherboard firmware deserves a mention. BIOS updates fix stability bugs, improve RAM compatibility, and integrate processor security patches (Spectre, Meltdown, etc.). Only do it if a recent update exists and you're experiencing specific issues, a failed BIOS update can render a PC unusable.

How to identify outdated drivers#

Via Device Manager#

Press Win + X then click Device Manager. A yellow triangle on a component indicates a driver problem. Right-click the component → Properties → Driver tab to see the installed version and its date.

Via the command line (precise method)#

Open a Terminal (PowerShell or cmd) and type:

driverquery /v /fo csv > C:\drivers.csv

This command exports the complete list of all installed drivers with their versions. Open the CSV file in Excel for a full inventory.

To see drivers currently loaded in memory:

driverquery /si

GPU update: the method for your card#

NVIDIA : GeForce Experience#

Download GeForce Experience from nvidia.com. The app automatically detects your GPU and notifies you of new versions. In the Drivers tab, you can choose between:

• Game Ready Driver: optimised for recent games, updated frequently
• Studio Driver: more stable, for creatives (Premiere, DaVinci, Photoshop)

During installation, choose Custom installation and tick Perform a clean installation : this removes leftovers from the previous driver.

AMD : Adrenalin#

AMD Adrenalin (amd.com/support) plays the same role. It detects your GPU and offers available updates. Tick the Factory Reset option during installation for a clean update. Adrenalin also includes performance and streaming tools.

Intel Arc : Arc Control#

For Intel Arc GPUs (A and B series), use Arc Control or the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (DSA). The latter is particularly useful as it detects every Intel component in your machine (GPU, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, chipset) and offers all updates in a single interface.

Third-party tools to avoid at all costs#

You may have seen ads for software like Driver Booster, DriverFix or Driver Easy. Steer clear of these tools for several reasons:

• They pull from unofficial databases and can install incompatible or incorrect drivers
• Some are associated with adware or malware-like behaviour
• They charge a subscription for updates you can do for free via manufacturer websites
• A bogus GPU driver can render your graphics card unusable until you roll back

The only reliable source for a driver is the component manufacturer's official website: nvidia.com, amd.com, intel.com, realtek.com, etc.

Backing up your drivers before updating#

Before any major update, back up your current drivers. If the new version is faulty, you'll be able to roll back in minutes.

With DISM (built into Windows)#

Open an administrator Terminal and type:

DISM /Online /Export-Driver /Destination:C:\SaveDrivers

All your drivers are exported to the C:\SaveDrivers folder. To reinstall them:

pnputil /add-driver C:\SaveDrivers\*.inf /subdirs /install

With DriverBackup (free tool)#

DriverBackup (sourceforge.net) offers a simple graphical interface for selecting and exporting the drivers you want. Handy for targeting just the GPU or network without exporting everything.

What to do when an update breaks everything#

It happens. Here's the procedure to follow, from simplest to most radical.

1. 1
   Roll back via Device Manager, Open Device Manager, right-click the affected component → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver. Windows automatically reinstalls the previous version. This option is only available if Windows has kept the old version (usually 10 days after the update).
2. 2
   System restore point, If the driver rollback isn't enough (or if the option is greyed out), use a restore point. Type 'System Restore' in the Windows search bar and follow the wizard. Choose a point created before the problematic update. Your personal files are preserved, but software and drivers installed after that point are removed.
3. 3
   Safe Mode + manual uninstall, If Windows won't boot normally, restart while holding Shift to access the Advanced startup options, then choose Safe Mode. In this mode, third-party drivers aren't loaded, you can uninstall the problematic driver via Device Manager.
4. 4
   Restore from the DISM backup, If you made a prior backup, open an administrator Terminal and reinstall the saved drivers: pnputil /add-driver C:\SaveDrivers\*.inf /subdirs /install. This is the most reliable method to get back exactly to the previous state.

In summary#

The golden rule: update if you have a problem or if an update fixes a known security flaw. Routine updates with no specific reason carry risk without guaranteed benefit.

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