October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Redmond desk4 min

What Is Windows Device Manager? How to Check Devices and Fix Driver Issues

Windows Device Manager shows detected hardware and driver status. Learn how to inspect warning codes and choose a sensible driver troubleshooting step.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Windows Device Manager is a built-in utility for viewing your computer’s hardware, checking device status and driver details, and taking actions such as updating or rolling back a driver. A warning icon signals that Windows has flagged a device; its Properties page and problem code help identify what to do next.

What Windows Device Manager does

Device Manager presents the hardware Windows detects and lets you inspect information about each device, including its status, manufacturer, properties, and driver. You can view devices by category, such as display adapters or network adapters, or by how they connect to the computer. It is a Windows diagnostic and management view, not a separate product.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Microsoft Learn describes its purpose simply: “The (Windows) Device Manager allows a user to view the hardware on the computer.” The same overview says it can be used to install, update, or remove device drivers. Microsoft Learn: Inside Show — Device Manager

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How to open Device Manager

From Start

  1. Open Start and search for Device Manager.
  2. Select the Device Manager result.

Through Computer Management

  1. Open File Explorer and right-click This PC.
  2. Select Manage.
  3. In the system tools, select Device Manager.

These access routes are documented by Microsoft Learn. Labels and interface details can vary by Windows release.

How to inspect a device or warning

  1. In Device Manager, expand the category that contains the device.
  2. Right-click the device and select Properties.
  3. Check the General tab for device status. The Driver, Details, and Events tabs provide additional information useful for diagnosing issues.

A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark means Windows has assigned the device a problem code. It is a clue, not a diagnosis or proof that a driver update will fix the issue. Read the code and message in Properties, then follow the guidance for that particular code. Microsoft’s Device Manager error-code reference explains code-specific cases. For example, Code 22 means a user has disabled the device; Code 12 concerns hardware resources that Windows cannot allocate, potentially because of a resource conflict or firmware allocation.

Windows may hide some devices from the default view. If you need to see hidden devices, use the viewing options described in Microsoft’s instructions for viewing hidden devices.

Rank #2
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
  • 256 GB SSD of storage.
  • Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
  • Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.

How to update, reinstall, or roll back a driver

Microsoft’s driver guidance applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update is the ordinary starting point: most hardware driver updates are downloaded and installed automatically through it. Device Manager also provides a manual route when you have a compatible driver from the device maker. Microsoft Support: Update drivers through Device Manager

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Update a driver

  1. Open Device Manager and expand the relevant category.
  2. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
  3. Choose the automatic search option, or browse to a driver you obtained from the hardware manufacturer’s official website.

If downloading manually, confirm that the driver matches your Windows version and system architecture. Microsoft advises against downloading drivers from other websites. An automatic search may say the best driver is already installed; that does not guarantee the underlying device problem is resolved.

Rank #3

Reinstall a device driver

Uninstalling a device is a more consequential step than inspecting it. After a restart, Windows may try to detect the device and reinstall its driver. Some devices, including printers, may require manual reinstallation. If you remove a driver package and no matching package remains, the device may be left without a driver; Windows Update may install a needed driver later. Microsoft recommends creating a restore point before making device changes. See Microsoft Support’s device-driver reinstallation guidance.

Roll back a recent driver update

If a device began having problems after a driver update, Device Manager may offer Roll Back Driver in the device’s Driver tab. This action requires administrator permissions. Use it when the timing points to a recent update rather than treating it as a general troubleshooting step.

Rank #4
Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
  • 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
  • Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
  • 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
  • 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
  • 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Choose the next step based on what you find

  • No warning, just checking hardware: Inspect the device’s Properties and driver details; there is no need to change a working driver simply because Device Manager lists it.
  • Warning icon and a problem code: Use the code’s specific explanation and recommended resolution. For Code 22, enable the device in Device Manager. For Code 12, investigate resource allocation or conflicts rather than assuming a driver update is the answer.
  • Problem started after an update: Check whether Roll Back Driver is available and, if appropriate, use it with administrator access.
  • Automatic update finds nothing, or the issue continues: Check the device maker’s official support site for a driver compatible with your Windows version and system architecture, or contact the manufacturer.
  • Considering uninstalling: Identify the intended device and change first. Uninstalling a device while it is still connected can lead Windows to rediscover and reinstall it; removing a driver package can also leave it without a matching driver.

Device Manager helps you see what Windows detects and manage drivers, but its warning icons do not prescribe one universal fix. The code, device, and recent changes determine the useful next step.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
256 GB SSD of storage.; Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM; Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
$285.00
Bestseller No. 3
HP 14' HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
HP 14" HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
$245.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.