Drivers are essential software components that allow Windows 11 to communicate with your hardware — from your graphics card and printer to your keyboard and sound system. But sometimes, outdated or incompatible drivers can cause crashes, system errors, or performance problems.
If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 or installed new hardware, you may encounter issues due to incompatible drivers. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to find incompatible drivers in Windows 11 step by step using built-in tools and trusted methods.
📝 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
-
Incompatible drivers in Windows 11 can cause blue screens (BSODs), performance issues, or hardware malfunctions.
-
You can find problem drivers using Device Manager, Windows Update, Reliability Monitor, Event Viewer, and Command Prompt tools.
-
Keeping drivers updated through Windows Update or manufacturer websites reduces driver conflicts.
-
Always create a restore point before updating or removing drivers.
Why Incompatible Drivers Are a Problem in Windows 11
Windows 11 is still evolving, and some older drivers may not be fully optimized for it. Incompatible drivers can lead to:
-
🔵 Blue Screen of Death (BSODs) with stop codes.
-
🖥️ Device malfunctions (e.g., printer not working, Wi-Fi disconnecting).
-
🎮 Graphics and gaming issues like screen flickering or crashes.
-
⚡ Performance slowdowns or random freezes.
👉 That’s why checking for and fixing incompatible drivers should be one of your first troubleshooting steps.
Step 1: Use Device Manager to Check for Driver Issues
The simplest way to spot incompatible drivers is through Device Manager.
Steps:
-
Press Windows + X → Select Device Manager.
-
Look for devices with a yellow warning triangle or red cross.
-
Right-click the problematic device → Properties.
-
Under the Device status box, check if Windows reports an error (like “This device cannot start” or “Driver not compatible”).
✅ This helps you quickly identify devices with driver issues.
Step 2: Use Windows Update to Detect Driver Problems
Sometimes, Windows Update detects incompatible drivers and suggests fixes.
Steps:
-
Open Settings (Windows + I).
-
Go to Windows Update → Check for updates.
-
Look for Optional updates → Driver updates.
-
Install the recommended updates.
💡 Pro Tip: If Windows doesn’t offer the latest drivers, visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
Step 3: Check Windows Reliability Monitor
Reliability Monitor is a hidden gem in Windows 11 that tracks crashes and driver issues.
Steps:
-
Press Windows + S, type Reliability Monitor, and open View reliability history.
-
Look for red X errors related to drivers.
-
Click the error → See details of the problematic driver.
👉 This tool is great for tracking repeated driver-related crashes.
Step 4: Use Event Viewer to Spot Driver Failures
Event Viewer logs all system activity, including driver errors.
Steps:
-
Press Windows + S, type Event Viewer, and open it.
-
Navigate to Windows Logs → System.
-
Look for errors with sources like DriverFrameworks-UserMode or specific driver names.
-
Double-click the error to see details.
Step 5: Run Command Prompt to List Problem Drivers
Windows includes commands to check for problematic drivers.
Steps:
-
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
-
Type the following command:
This lists all installed drivers and their status.
-
To check for driver signature issues (a common cause of incompatibility), run:
-
In the Driver Verifier Manager, select Create standard settings → Automatically select unsigned drivers.
-
Restart your PC and check for detected issues.
-
⚠️ Use Driver Verifier carefully — it can stress-test drivers and cause intentional BSODs to reveal bad drivers.
Step 6: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)
If you want an easier way to check driver compatibility, use trusted third-party tools:
-
Driver Booster (IObit)
-
Snappy Driver Installer
-
Driver Easy
These can scan your system and highlight outdated or incompatible drivers.
👉 Always download from official websites to avoid malware.
Step 7: Fix or Replace Incompatible Drivers
Once you’ve found the problematic driver, here’s how to fix it:
-
Update the driver: Right-click device in Device Manager → Update driver.
-
Roll back the driver: If issues started after an update → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
-
Uninstall the driver: Right-click → Uninstall device (Windows will reinstall default drivers on restart).
-
Download from manufacturer: Visit the official site for the latest drivers (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek).
Step 8: Create a Restore Point (Best Practice)
Before making changes, always create a system restore point:
-
Search Create a restore point in Start menu.
-
Select your system drive → Click Configure.
-
Enable protection and click Create.
✅ This ensures you can roll back if a driver update makes things worse.
Comparison of Driver Troubleshooting Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Detects Incompatibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device Manager | Easy | ✅ Basic issues | Quick checks |
| Windows Update | Easy | ✅ Limited drivers | Beginners |
| Reliability Monitor | Medium | ✅ Crash-related issues | Tracking errors |
| Event Viewer | Medium | ✅ Detailed logs | Advanced users |
| Command Prompt (Verifier) | Advanced | ✅ Unsigned/bad drivers | Power users |
| Third-Party Tools | Easy | ✅ Outdated drivers | Beginners & intermediates |
Common Symptoms of Incompatible Drivers
How do you know you might have an incompatible driver? Watch out for:
-
Frequent blue screen errors (BSODs).
-
Devices not working (printer, webcam, Wi-Fi).
-
Random system crashes or freezes.
-
Poor gaming performance or graphical glitches.
-
Error messages like “Driver not supported.”
Conclusion
Finding and fixing incompatible drivers in Windows 11 is crucial for maintaining a stable and smooth system. By using built-in tools like Device Manager, Reliability Monitor, Event Viewer, and Command Prompt, you can quickly identify problematic drivers.
For most users:
-
Start with Device Manager and Windows Update.
-
If issues persist, use Reliability Monitor or Event Viewer for deeper analysis.
-
Always backup and create a restore point before making driver changes.
With these steps, you can keep your Windows 11 system stable, secure, and running at peak performance.
FAQs: How to Find Incompatible Drivers in Windows 11
1. What’s the easiest way to find bad drivers in Windows 11?
Use Device Manager — look for devices with yellow warning icons.
2. Can outdated drivers cause crashes in Windows 11?
Yes, outdated or incompatible drivers often lead to crashes and BSOD errors.
3. How do I know if a driver is unsigned?
Run verifier in Command Prompt to check for unsigned drivers.
4. Should I use third-party driver updater tools?
They can help, but only download from trusted sources to avoid malware.
5. What’s the safest way to fix a bad driver?
Update it via manufacturer’s website or roll it back to the previous version.