How to Check for Corrupted Drivers in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

📌 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

Corrupted drivers in Windows 11 can cause crashes, slow performance, or hardware not working.
Common signs: blue screen errors, frequent crashes, unrecognized devices, or strange hardware behavior.
Ways to check:
1. Device Manager (look for yellow warning icons).
2. Windows Event Viewer (scan for driver-related system errors).
3. System File Checker (SFC) scan.
4. DISM tool to repair Windows image.
5. Windows Update or manufacturer tools for the latest drivers.
Fix options: update, roll back, reinstall, or use third-party driver utilities.

If your Windows 11 PC suddenly starts freezing, showing the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD), or refusing to recognize your devices, there’s a good chance corrupted drivers are to blame.

But don’t worry—you don’t need to be a tech wizard to fix this. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to check for corrupted drivers in Windows 11 step by step, explain why it happens, and show you simple fixes anyone can follow.

Think of drivers as the translators between your hardware (like a printer or graphics card) and Windows 11. If they get corrupted, your PC can’t “understand” your hardware properly. Let’s fix that together.

Why Do Drivers Get Corrupted in Windows 11?

Before jumping into the how-to, let’s understand the why. Drivers can become corrupted due to:

⚡ Power failures or crashes while installing updates.
🦠 Malware infections interfering with system files.
❌ Incompatible updates pushed through Windows Update.
💾 Hard drive corruption or bad sectors.
🔄 Failed driver updates or improper uninstallation.

Knowing the root cause helps you prevent future issues.

Signs of a Corrupted Driver in Windows 11

How do you know if your drivers are corrupted? Here are the most common signs:

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors mentioning drivers.
Devices not working (e.g., Wi-Fi adapter not detected).
Frequent system freezes or crashes.
Slow boot times or random reboots.
Strange hardware behavior (e.g., distorted sound, flickering display).

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to check your drivers.

Step 1: Check for Driver Issues in Device Manager

The easiest way to start is by using Device Manager.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Look through the list of devices.
If you see a yellow warning triangle or a red cross, that driver has issues.
Right-click the device → Properties → General tab → look at the Device status box for error messages.

👉 Pro Tip: Device Manager is your first stop—it quickly shows hardware with obvious driver issues.

Step 2: Use Windows Event Viewer for Deeper Insight

Device Manager doesn’t always catch everything. Event Viewer can reveal hidden driver problems.

Press Win + S, type Event Viewer, and open it.
Go to Windows Logs > System.
Look for Error or Warning events related to drivers (e.g., “Driver failed to load”).

This helps identify background driver crashes that don’t show in Device Manager.

Step 3: Run the System File Checker (SFC Scan)

The System File Checker repairs corrupted system files, including some driver-related ones.

Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Type:

sfc /scannow
Hit Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
If issues are found, SFC will automatically fix them.

Step 4: Use the DISM Tool for Advanced Repair

If SFC doesn’t fix everything, use DISM (Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management).

Open Command Prompt (Admin).
Run the following commands one by one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait—this can take 10–20 minutes.

DISM fixes deeper Windows image corruption that may be affecting drivers.

Step 5: Check for Driver Updates in Windows Update

Windows Update often pushes the latest drivers.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
If driver updates are listed, install them.

👉 Always install critical and recommended updates before troubleshooting further.

Step 6: Update Drivers via Device Manager

Sometimes, a manual update works best.

Open Device Manager.
Right-click the problematic device → Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.

If no update is found, you can download it directly from the manufacturer’s website.

Step 7: Roll Back to a Previous Driver

If the problem started after a recent update, rolling back might solve it.

In Device Manager, right-click the device → Properties.
Go to the Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver (if available).

This restores the previous working version.

Step 8: Reinstall the Driver Completely

If updating or rolling back doesn’t work, reinstall.

Open Device Manager.
Right-click the device → Uninstall device.
Restart your PC.
Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Alternatively, download the latest driver from the manufacturer and install it manually.

Step 9: Use Manufacturer Tools for Driver Health

Most major brands have their own tools:

Intel Driver & Support Assistant
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
AMD Radeon Software
Dell SupportAssist
HP Support Assistant

These check for corrupted or outdated drivers specific to your hardware.

Step 10: Consider Third-Party Driver Tools (Optional)

If you prefer automation, third-party driver updater tools like Driver Booster or Driver Easy can scan and repair driver issues.

⚠️ Use cautiously—always create a system restore point first.

Preventing Driver Corruption in Windows 11

Now that you know how to fix it, here’s how to prevent it:

Keep Windows and drivers updated.
Avoid downloading drivers from unknown websites.
Use a reliable antivirus.
Create restore points before major updates.
Shut down your PC properly (not just force power off).

Table: Driver Troubleshooting Methods in Windows 11

Method	Difficulty	Best For
Device Manager	Easy	Quick driver error check
Event Viewer	Medium	Finding hidden driver errors
SFC Scan	Easy	Fixing corrupted system files
DISM Tool	Medium	Deep Windows image repair
Windows Update	Easy	Installing recommended drivers
Roll Back Driver	Easy	Reverting faulty updates
Reinstall Driver	Medium	Fresh start for corrupted drivers
Manufacturer Tools	Easy	Device-specific driver optimization

Conclusion

Drivers are like the invisible glue that holds your PC together. When they get corrupted, Windows 11 can quickly turn from smooth sailing into a frustrating mess.

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve learned how to check for corrupted drivers in Windows 11 using built-in tools like Device Manager, SFC, DISM, and Event Viewer. You also know how to update, roll back, or reinstall drivers to get your system running smoothly again.

Stay proactive: keep drivers updated, scan for malware, and create restore points. That way, corrupted drivers won’t slow you down in the future.

FAQs About Corrupted Drivers in Windows 11

1. How do I know if my drivers are corrupted in Windows 11?

Look for signs like frequent crashes, BSOD errors, or devices not working. Use Device Manager and Event Viewer for confirmation.

2. Can Windows 11 automatically fix corrupted drivers?

Yes, Windows Update and SFC scans can fix some driver issues, but severe corruption may require manual reinstallation.

3. Should I use third-party driver update tools?

They can help, but stick with trusted ones and always back up your system first.

4. What’s the difference between SFC and DISM?

SFC repairs corrupted system files, while DISM fixes the Windows image itself—use both for thorough troubleshooting.

5. Do I need to reinstall Windows if my drivers are corrupted?

Not usually. Most driver issues can be fixed with updates, rollbacks, or reinstalls. Reinstalling Windows is a last resort.