Rolling back drivers on Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can help fix issues caused by recent driver updates. If your system is acting up after a driver update, rolling back to a previous version might be your solution. In Windows 11, you can easily access the Device Manager, locate the problematic driver, and with a few clicks, revert to its earlier version. This process ensures your computer runs smoothly without the hiccups brought on by new, incompatible, or buggy drivers.
Rolling Back Drivers in Windows 11
This step-by-step guide will show you how to roll back drivers on Windows 11, helping you return to a stable driver version and restore system performance.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Click on the Start button and type “Device Manager,” then select it from the list.
Device Manager is the hub for managing hardware devices and their drivers on your computer. By accessing it, you’ll be able to view all the installed devices and their current drivers.
Step 2: Locate the Device
Find the device whose driver you want to roll back by expanding the categories.
Each category represents a type of device, such as Display adapters or Sound, video, and game controllers. Expanding a category will show you the specific devices under it.
Step 3: Open Device Properties
Right-click on the device and select “Properties.”
The Properties window gives you detailed information about the device, including the current driver version and options to update or roll back the driver.
Step 4: Access the Driver Tab
In the Properties window, click on the “Driver” tab.
This tab contains all the driver-specific options. Here, you can see the driver version, provider, and dates, along with buttons to update, roll back, or uninstall the driver.
Step 5: Roll Back the Driver
Click the “Roll Back Driver” button and follow the prompts.
Rolling back will uninstall the current driver version and reinstall the previous one. This is useful if the latest update has caused problems with your device.
After successfully rolling back a driver, your system should return to its previous state of stability. Any issues caused by the new driver should be resolved, allowing your device to function as it did before the update.
Tips for Rolling Back Drivers on Windows 11
- Always create a system restore point before rolling back drivers. It acts as a safety net in case something goes wrong.
- Check the manufacturer’s website for any known issues with recent driver updates.
- If the roll-back option is grayed out, it means there is no previous version available for your driver.
- Consider updating other system drivers if you experience persistent issues after rolling back.
- It’s a good idea to keep a backup of critical data, even though rolling back drivers is usually safe.
What is a driver rollback?
A driver rollback is the process of reverting a hardware driver to a previous version. It’s often used to fix issues that arise from a recent driver update.
Why can’t I roll back my driver?
If the “Roll Back Driver” button is grayed out, it means Windows doesn’t have a previous version available. This could be because the driver was never updated or the old version was deleted.
Is rolling back drivers safe?
Yes, rolling back drivers is generally safe and can resolve issues caused by problematic updates. However, you should always back up important data and create a system restore point first.
How do I know if a driver update is causing issues?
If your device starts malfunctioning, crashing, or if you encounter blue screens after a driver update, the update might be the cause.
Will rolling back drivers affect other software?
Rolling back a driver should not affect other software on your computer. It only changes the driver for a specific device.
Summary
- Open Device Manager.
- Locate the Device.
- Open Device Properties.
- Access the Driver Tab.
- Roll Back the Driver.
Conclusion
Rolling back drivers in Windows 11 is a handy skill to have up your sleeve. It’s like having a rewind button for your system’s software, letting you step back in time to when everything worked smoothly. Windows 11 makes this task pretty straightforward, so even if you’re not a tech wizard, you can still handle it with ease.
If you find yourself facing device issues after a driver update, don’t panic. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you should be back on track in no time. Remember, technology is here to make our lives easier, but sometimes it just needs a little nudge in the right direction. If this approach doesn’t resolve your issue, it may be worth exploring other troubleshooting options or seeking professional help.
Always keep your system updated, but when updates go awry, know that rolling back is an option. With these tips and steps, you’re well-equipped to manage your device’s drivers and keep them functioning optimally. For more in-depth explanations or advanced troubleshooting, consider visiting tech forums or the official Microsoft support site.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
If you have been using the same computer for a while, or if you have recently cycled through printer installations, then you probably have some printer drivers on your computer.
Even if you have gone through the hassle of using the Remove Device option for a printer on the Devices and Printers menu, the driver for that printer is likely to still be on your computer.
Since the old printer is no longer visible, you assume that there is no need to remove old printer drivers, because they are already gone. Windows 7 does not do this to complicate the printer installation process; they leave the driver on there in case you decide to use the printer again in the future.
Unfortunately, if you want to make changes to the printer driver, if you installed the wrong one, or if you want to install another printer that uses the same or a similar driver, then you will need to remove old printer drivers to get the current installation to work correctly.
Locating the List of Installed Printer Drivers
The list of printer drivers installed on your computer can be found by clicking the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your screen, then clicking Devices and Printers at the right side of the Start menu. Click one time on any installed printer, then click the Print Server Properties button in the horizontal blue bar at the top of the window.
This will open a new Printer Server Properties window. Click the Drivers tab at the top of this window, click the old printer driver you want to remove, then click the Remove button at the bottom of the window.
Click the option to the left of Remove driver and driver package , then click the OK button.
In most situations this will be the end of the process, and you will have removed all traces of the old printer driver. Unfortunately, it might not always be this easy.
Problems You May Encounter When You Want to Remove Old Printer Drivers
When I unsuccessfully attempt to remove an old printer driver, i usually get an error of the type “XX Printer could not be removed because driver XX is in use.” Unfortunately it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why you are receiving this message, but there are usually a few culprits that can be to blame.
1. Have you gone through the process of removing the device from the Devices and Printers menu?
While this step does not remove the driver from your computer, you cannot actually remove the driver until you have done this. To perform this step, open the Devices and Printers menu, right-click the printer whose driver you want to uninstall, then click the Remove Device option.
2. Is an open program still attempting to communicate with the printer?
This is a less common problem, but is one that I have encountered specifically with label printers for shipping programs. It is particularly prevalent in cases where the printer stopped working, and a print job was stuck in the print queue. The exact method for clearing this issue will vary depending upon your own specific circumstances, but a good way to resolve it is to close every program on your computer from which you can print, then press the Feed button on the printer a couple times.
3. Is there a print job stuck in the print queue?
When you right-click on a printer in the Devices and Printers menu, there is a See what’s printing option. When you click that option, it will show you the current print queue, as well as any documents that you cancelled, that you paused, or that were otherwise not successfully printer. If you cannot use the Cancel document or Cancel all documents option to clear this from the print queue, then you might need to restart your computer, remove the device from the Devices and Printers menu, then attempt to remove the driver using the procedure outlined above.
An issue that many people frequently experience is a broken printer.
Fortunately, this can usually be fixed with a few short troubleshooting steps, which we will go through below.
How to Fix a Faulty Windows Printer
For a variety of reasons, a printer may look offline in Windows 7. In addition to print driver difficulties, they can also involve problems with electricity and network access.
For further troubleshooting options, see our networked printer offline Windows 7 post.
If your printer is now showing as offline, you could try the following steps.
- Click Start .
- Choose Devices and Printers .
- Using the right-click menu on the printer icon, choose See what’s printing .
- Click the Printer tab, followed by Use printer offline , to bring the printer online.
You can also try rebooting the printer and computer, removing all of the printer’s cords, and, if necessary, reinstalling the printer if that doesn’t work.
Windows 11 Information
Printers! They’re like that one friend who needs a little extra attention. When they’re happy, everything is smooth sailing. But when they’re not, boy do they let you know! If you’ve recently upgraded or switched printers, those old drivers still hanging around on your Windows 11 system might just be the culprits causing the fuss. Time for a bit of digital spring cleaning! Let’s walk through the steps to remove those old printer drivers.
Understanding Printer Drivers
Ever wonder why we even need printer drivers? Think of them as the interpreters. Your computer speaks one language, and your printer speaks another. The driver is like the mutual friend that translates for both, ensuring your documents look exactly as they should when printed.
Getting Started: Accessing the Printer Server Properties
Before diving in, ensure you’re logged in with an administrator account. Trust me, it’ll save you a headache later!
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This opens the ‘Run’ dialogue box.
- Type in “control printers” and hit Enter. This should bring up the ‘Devices and Printers’ window.
- In the toolbar, you’ll spot an option that says “Print server properties”. Click on it.
Diving Deeper: Removing the Old Printer Drivers
- Now, in the ‘Print server properties’ window, switch to the ‘Drivers’ tab. This is where the magic happens!
- You’ll see a list of all the installed printer drivers. If your list is anything like mine, it’s longer than expected.
- Locate the old or unwanted printer driver.
- Select it, and click on the “Remove” button.
- A pop-up window will ask which driver to remove. Choose “Remove driver and driver package”.
- Confirm the action.
Voila! The old printer driver should now be history. But don’t rush off just yet, I’ve got some bonus tips for you!
Additional Information
- Backup First : As with any significant system changes, consider backing up your system before removing any drivers. It’s like wearing a helmet – better safe than sorry.
- Restart after Removal : After removing the driver, a quick system restart can help clear out any lingering files.
- Windows Update : Sometimes, if you remove a printer driver, Windows might try to reinstall it during an update. To prevent this, hide the specific update related to the printer driver.
- Manual Cleanup : Some drivers can be stubborn. If you still find traces, consider diving into the ‘Program Files’ or ‘Program Files (x86)’ directories and deleting related folders. But tread carefully; you don’t want to delete something important.
- Why should I remove old printer drivers? Old printer drivers can sometimes conflict with new ones or simply take up unnecessary space.
- Can I remove a driver if I’m not an admin? Usually, no. Admin rights are typically required for such tasks.
- What if I accidentally remove the wrong driver? Don’t panic! You can always reinstall the driver either from the printer’s official website or by reconnecting your printer.
- Does removing the driver uninstall the printer software too? Not always. Some printers come with additional software. You might need to uninstall that separately.
- Do I need to physically disconnect the printer? No, but it might be a good idea to ensure it’s turned off to avoid any mid-process surprises.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.
Read his full bio here.
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