This means that Windows detected the device but couldn’t automatically install the drivers for some reason. We need to find a way to identify the unknown device so we can throw the ID into Google and grab the drivers. Fortunately, this is super easy. Right click the mystery device and choose Properties. To find drivers for unknown devices in Windows, we need to access device manager where you can manage all your hardware device drivers. To open device manager in Windows 8, press “Win + X” to open the power user menu and then select the option “Device Manager.” If you are using Windows 7 or Vista, you can search for the device manager. If you have re-installed windows or plugged in a device that isn't working this tutorial will help you find device information and drivers. How to identify an unknown device Common PCI Vendors. Finding Which Device is Missing a Driver. One very important use of the “Device Manager” tool is that it helps you identify hardware which you forgot to install drivers for. If there is a hardware that doesn’t have a driver then you should find an item indicated as “Other devices” like the screenshot that you see below.
Every windows user has to face this problem at times- a device driver related issue, driver update issue, and sometimes ‘Not driver Found’ issue. You need to update drivers when installing new hardware that is not working or updating a new Windows version. This article will discuss all aspects of Windows drivers update to ensure that it won’t drive you crazy anymore.
What is a device driver, and what is its purpose?
A device driver is a software that controls your operating system when you attach a hardware device (a mouse, video card, or an external storage device) to your computer. For example, if you want to play a song on your PC using an application like VLC media player. When you click on the play button, it sends a request to the OS, which communicates to the video or audio card to play using specific drivers.
If these drivers do not match between OS and hardware device, it results in poor driver performance. So, it is crucial to have the right for driver updates.
What happens when you connect hardware to your PC?
Hardware can be of two types; plug and play (PnP) and non-plug and play (non-PnP). Nowadays, mostly hardware devices come with PnP type. Windows tries to identify a driver for that device in the Device Store when you connect such a hardware device to your computer. If It finds a required driver, it starts and operates the hardware. But if it does not find an installed driver, it searches in the other folders or looks for windows update for a matching driver. If it finds multiple options, it opts for a driver suitable for hardware ID and installs it. After installation, your connected hardware devices become operational.
Which driver should you install?
Often you get confused about what driver you should install? The manufacturer’s driver or the Microsoft one? Windows gives the manufacturer’s device driver preference to install as they provided the best-suited drivers for your device.
Some manufacturers made generic drivers that are of a third category. Such kinds of drivers do not offer custom drivers and do not fall in the expected standard.
Things you need to know before updating your device drivers
Windows 10 has inbuilt driver updates along with the OS updates. Whenever you update your window, all the applicable drivers will automatically update with the latest version. But if your PC has some internal issue and you need to update drivers visit the manufacturer’s website.
Please avoid using any third-party driver update websites in windows 10 as it can download virus or malware which is harmful to your computer. Before updating your device driver, make sure that you have a backup plan for crucial data with you. It will help you to restore your essential data. You can also create a restore system.
Manage device drivers and Find missing drivers
In Windows 10, You get a warning of ‘Unknown Device’ when your Windows doesn’t identify the device. It may happen due to some missing driver during installation or disability of automatic driver download. You can fix it by checking in the Device Manager. There is a yellow warning sign that indicates the unknown device.
How to fix an unknown device problem?
- Press Windows key + X to go, Device Manager
- Right-click on the unknown devices and click on properties
- On the error ‘The drivers for this device are not installed.’
- In the Detail tab, go to properties and select Hardware Ids.
- Ids that are visible in the value box note down them.
- Google search device drivers for these unknown devices throws ids.
- After downloading, right-click on the unknown device and then go for Update driver software.
Install and update device drivers
You can also install drivers by yourself. But be careful. Otherwise, you can affect the smooth running of your system. Before installing a driver, check its compatibility with your computer; otherwise, it will cause issues. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the drivers. In the case of an executable file, it will be downloaded quickly, but if the drivers are in zip form, unzip it first and then update it through the Device Manager procedure.
Update through Windows 10
As we have discussed above that Windows 10 has the facility to update all its software automatically. You do not need to update your drivers individually.
- Go to settings
- Click on Update & Security, and Check for Updates.
If there is an update required, download and install; moreover, the Windows update will update device drivers. If you want to update it manually, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
- Go to the Device Manager. Locate the desired drivers right click and choose Update driver.
- Then select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Enter the path in the text box for downloaded device drivers.
- Follow the wizard for the latest version.
You can update your device drivers using both methods. For Windows 8, right-click on the hardware’s icon and click Update Driver Software. For Windows 7 and Vista, right-click on the hardware’s name.
- Then on to properties.
- Then click on the driver tab and click on the Update Drive button.
For Windows XP only do the same process as for Vista. Then choose No, not this time from the hardware update wizard. Then proceed with clicking Next >.
Enable or disable drivers:
Windows enables all devices automatically, but for some reason, if it fails to do this, a black arrow next to that driver shows up. You can allow it by yourself from the device manager. Click on the Disabled Drivers, then click on the Enable device by clicking on it in the context menu.
Other Devices Unknown
Take the Backup of your drivers:
We take backups for critical data, then why not for drivers? If a manufacturer stops offering the device driver, then in such cases, Backup for a driver can rescue the hardware. Use DSIM utility to take the driver’s Backup. You can also block automatic driver updates. Type gpedit, click Edit group policy, then navigate the folder path and double click on Do not include drivers with Windows updates. Enable the option and apply it, followed by OK.
Interesting Related Article: “How to do Windows Installation at Home?“
Yesterday I reinstalled Windows on a laptop for one of our users at work. When the installation was complete, I popped in the driver CD to begin the process of installing the drivers that Windows didn’t install. For some reason the CD only contained two of the eight drivers that I needed. Normally, tracking down the right driver can be a huge annoyance, especially when your devices are showing up with generic names like PCI Device, Video Controller, System Device, or Unknown Device. But with the help of a little utility, I was able to find all of the drivers that I needed saving me lots of time and frustration.
This little utility is called Unknown Devices and it works with Windows 95, 98, 98se, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista. It’s also a portable application so it requires no installation.
When you run it, Unknown Devices immediately lists out all of the devices that Windows cannot find a driver for and tells you what each one is.
In this example I have a modem that I cannot locate the driver for because I don’t know who the manufacturer is.
Device Manager Says Unknown Device
When I run Unknown Devices, it tells me that the device is made by Context Systems.
I am now able to use this information to download the appropriate driver from the computer manufacturer’s website.
If you have experience with other utilities like this or other methods of determining unknown devices, please feel free to share.
Related posts: