How to roll back a driver update in Windows

Open Device Manager by pressing Win X and selecting it or searching in the Start menu. 2. Locate the problematic device—such as Display adapters, Sound video and game controllers, Network adapters, or input devices—right-click it and select Properties. 3. Go to the Driver tab and click “Roll Back Driver” if available, selecting a reason and confirming the action to revert to the previous driver version. 4. Restart your computer to ensure the older driver loads properly. The rollback option is only available if a prior driver version was installed and not removed by system cleanup or reset. If the option is grayed out, alternatives include updating the driver again, manually downloading an older version from the manufacturer’s website, or using System Restore to revert the system to a prior state. Temporarily disabling automatic driver updates via Group Policy or registry can prevent unwanted updates, and Driver Verifier should be used cautiously. Rolling back is a quick, safe first step when issues arise after a driver update, provided the old driver remains on the system; otherwise, manual installation is necessary.

If a recent driver update is causing issues—like screen flickering, sound problems, or hardware not working—you can roll it back to the previous version using Windows’ built-in rollback feature. Here’s how to do it on Windows 10 and 11.

1. Open Device Manager

This is where you manage hardware and drivers.

• Press Win X and select Device Manager, or
• Search for "Device Manager" in the Start menu and open it.

2. Find the Problematic Device

Locate the device with the problematic driver. Common ones include:

• Display adapters (for graphics drivers)
• Sound, video and game controllers (for audio drivers)
• Network adapters (for Wi-Fi/Ethernet issues)
• Mice and keyboards under "Mice and other pointing devices" or "Keyboards"

Right-click the device and select Properties.

3. Use the Roll Back Driver Option

In the Properties window, go to the Driver tab.

Look for the "Roll Back Driver" button. If it’s available, click it.

• A prompt will ask why you’re rolling back—select a reason and click Yes.
• Windows will revert to the previously installed driver version and may restart the device.

⚠️ Note: The "Roll Back Driver" option only appears if:

• A previous driver version was installed before the update.
• Windows hasn’t cleaned up old drivers (e.g., after a system reset or cleanup).
• You haven’t done a clean install of the driver.

4. Restart Your Computer (if needed)

After rolling back, restart your PC to ensure the older driver loads properly.

What If "Roll Back Driver" Is Grayed Out or Missing?

If the option isn’t available, try these alternatives:

• Update the driver again: Sometimes reinstalling the latest version fixes bugs.
  • In Device Manager → Right-click device → Update driver → Search automatically.
• Download an older version manually:
  • Visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, Intel, Dell, HP).
  • Install a known-stable older driver.
• Use System Restore:
  • If you had a restore point before the update, roll back the entire system.
  • Search for "Create a restore point" → Open it → System Restore.

Pro Tips

• Stop automatic driver updates temporarily:
  • Use Group Policy (Windows Pro) or registry tweaks to prevent unwanted updates.
• Use Driver Verifier sparingly:
  • It helps identify faulty drivers but can make your system unstable if misused.

Rolling back a driver is usually quick and safe—Windows handles the switch seamlessly. Just remember, this only works if the old driver is still on your system. If not, manual installation is your best bet.

Basically, if something breaks after a driver update, Device Manager’s rollback feature should be your first fix to try.

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