How to Check for Corrupt Drivers on Windows 10?

Drivers are essential software components that enable your hardware devices to communicate with your operating system. Corrupt or outdated drivers can cause a variety of issues, such as hardware malfunctions, performance problems, or system crashes. If you’re experiencing strange behavior on your Windows 10 system, it’s a good idea to check for corrupt drivers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to identify and resolve driver corruption on your system.

1. Check Device Manager for Errors

The first place to check for corrupt drivers is in Device Manager, which lists all the hardware components of your system and their associated drivers. Follow these steps:

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager from the list.
2. Look for Yellow Exclamation Marks:
   • In Device Manager, look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. This indicates that there is a problem with the driver, such as corruption or incompatibility.
3. Check Device Properties:
   • Right-click on a device with a yellow exclamation mark and select Properties.
   • In the Device status section, you may see an error message that provides details about the driver issue. This could point to a corrupt or outdated driver.

2. Use Windows Event Viewer to Check for Driver Errors

Windows Event Viewer logs system events, including hardware and driver errors. Here’s how to check it for driver-related problems:

1. Open Event Viewer:
   • Press Win + X and select Event Viewer from the menu.
2. Navigate to System Logs:
   • In Event Viewer, go to Windows Logs > System in the left sidebar.
3. Look for Driver Errors:
   • Browse through the list of events to find any warnings or error messages related to drivers. These will often include details like the faulty driver’s name or error code.
4. Filter for Driver Issues:
   • Right-click on System and select Filter Current Log.
   • In the filter window, under Event sources, type DriverFrameworks-UserMode or Kernel-PnP. This will filter the logs to display events related to driver issues.

3. Use the Device Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can help identify and fix driver issues:

1. Open Settings:
   • Click on the Start menu and select Settings (gear icon).
2. Go to Update & Security:
   • In Settings, click on Update & Security.
3. Run the Troubleshooter:
   • From the Troubleshoot tab, click on Additional troubleshooters.
   • Select Hardware and Devices and click Run the troubleshooter.
   • Windows will check for hardware issues, including problems with drivers, and attempt to fix them automatically.

4. Check for Driver Updates

Outdated or corrupt drivers can sometimes be fixed by simply updating them. Here’s how you can check for and install driver updates:

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Update a Specific Driver:
   • In Device Manager, right-click on the device you suspect has a corrupt driver and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows search for an updated version of the driver.
3. Use Windows Update:
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates to see if any driver updates are available through Windows Update.

5. Use the Command Prompt (sfc /scannow)

The System File Checker (sfc) tool is a built-in utility that scans your system for corrupted or missing system files, including drivers, and attempts to fix them.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the sfc Command:
   • In the command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
   • The tool will scan your system for corrupt files and attempt to repair them. This process can take some time, so be patient.
3. Check the Results:
   • After the scan is complete, you’ll see a message indicating whether any issues were found and repaired.

6. Use DISM Tool to Repair System Image

If sfc /scannow doesn’t resolve the issue, you can use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) tool to fix more advanced system image issues, including corrupt drivers.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run DISM Command:
   • In the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   • This command will scan and repair any corruption within your system image, which may include issues with drivers.
3. Run sfc /scannow Again:
   • After DISM completes, it’s a good idea to run sfc /scannow again to ensure that all system files, including drivers, are repaired.

7. Check for Manufacturer-Specific Driver Updates

If you’re experiencing issues with specific hardware, such as your graphics card, audio device, or printer, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers:

1. Visit the Manufacturer’s Support Page:
   • Go to the official website of the device’s manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Dell, HP).
2. Search for Your Device:
   • Use your device’s model number to find the correct drivers.
3. Download and Install Drivers:
   • Download the latest drivers and follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

Corrupt drivers can cause a variety of problems on your Windows 10 system, but fortunately, there are several ways to identify and fix them. From using Device Manager and Event Viewer to running the sfc and DISM tools, there are built-in utilities that can help resolve driver issues. Additionally, ensuring that your drivers are up to date and checking for updates from manufacturers can prevent future problems. If you’re facing persistent issues, consider consulting with a professional technician.