How to Update USB Drivers in Windows 11 in 2026? Easy Steps
From external hard drives and flash storage to printers, keyboards, webcams, and smartphones, nearly every peripheral connects through USB ports. When a USB device stops working, disconnects randomly, or shows errors like “Unknown USB Device”, outdated or corrupted USB drivers are often the cause.
If you are using Windows 11, keeping your USB drivers updated ensures better performance, improved compatibility, enhanced security, and fewer connection issues.
In this detailed guide, you will learn exactly how to check if you have the latest USB Drivers and how to update USB drivers in Windows 11 easily.
How to Check If Your USB Driver Is Up to Date
Let’s first confirm whether you are going to perform the needed steps or if your USB drivers are already updated. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + X on your keyboard. From the menu that appears, click on Device Manager.
- Right-click your USB device.
- Click on Properties.
- Go to the Driver tab.
- Check the Driver Date and Driver Version.
You can compare this information with the latest version available on the manufacturer’s website.
Now, if you are sure that you are lacking the latest version, move forward to the detailed steps to get the latest version of your USB driver.
How to Update USB Drivers in Windows 11 in 2026? Easy Steps
To update USB drivers in Windows 11, open Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click the USB device, select Update driver, and choose Search automatically for drivers. You can also update drivers through Windows Update or download them from the manufacturer’s official website for better compatibility.
Let’s know very useful methods in detail!
1: Update USB Drivers Using Device Manager
This is the most common and safest method to update USB drivers in Windows 11.
First, press Windows + X on your keyboard. From the menu that appears, click on Device Manager. Device Manager allows you to view and manage all hardware components installed on your computer.
Inside Device Manager, scroll down and locate Universal Serial Bus controllers. Click the arrow next to it to expand the section. You will see several entries such as USB Root Hub, Generic USB Hub, USB Composite Device, and USB Host Controller.
Right-click on the USB device that may be causing issues. If you are unsure, you can update each USB controller one by one.
Click on Update driver. A new window will appear with two options.
Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will now scan your system and check Microsoft’s online database for the latest compatible driver version.
If a newer version is available, Windows will download and install it automatically. Once completed, restart your computer to apply changes.
This method works best for general USB controllers and basic hardware devices.
Step 2: Update USB Drivers via Windows Update
In 2026, Microsoft expanded driver distribution through the Windows Update system. Many hardware manufacturers now release driver updates directly through Windows Update.
To use this method, press Windows + I to open Settings.
Click on Windows Update from the left panel. Then click on Check for updates. Windows will begin scanning for available updates, including optional driver updates.
After scanning, click on Advanced options and then select Optional updates. If USB driver updates are available, you will see them listed under Driver updates.
Select the available USB driver updates and click Download and install. Restart your PC once the update process is complete.
This method is recommended because it ensures compatibility with your Windows 11 build.
3: Download USB Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website
Sometimes Windows cannot find the latest driver version. In that case, downloading the driver directly from the manufacturer is the best option.
First, identify your USB controller model. Open Device Manager again and double-click on the USB device. Go to the Details tab. From the Property dropdown menu, select Hardware Ids.
Note down the hardware ID or the controller name.
Next, visit the official website of your computer or motherboard manufacturer. For example, if you are using a Dell laptop, visit the official Dell support page. If your motherboard is from ASUS or MSI, visit their support page.
Search for your specific model number and navigate to the Drivers and Downloads section.
Locate the latest USB driver compatible with Windows 11 2026 version.
Download the file and run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Restart your system after installation.
This method ensures you receive the most optimized and stable driver version.
Reinstall USB Drivers to Fix Corruption
If updating does not fix the issue, the driver might be corrupted. Reinstalling can help.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Right-click on the problematic USB device.
- Select Uninstall device.
- Confirm the action.
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Windows 11 will automatically reinstall the default USB drivers during startup.
This is especially helpful when facing Code 43 errors or unknown USB device issues.
Reset USB Drivers
Advanced users can reset USB drivers using Windows PowerShell.
Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin). Type the command to scan for hardware changes.
After running the command, Windows will refresh hardware drivers and reinstall missing components.
This can resolve hidden driver conflicts.
Update Chipset Drivers
Many users overlook chipset drivers. USB controllers are closely linked to your motherboard chipset.
If USB problems continue even after updating USB drivers, update your chipset drivers.
Installing the latest chipset driver improves communication between the processor, motherboard, and USB ports.
FAQs
How do I know if my USB driver is outdated?
If your USB device frequently disconnects, shows error messages, or is not recognized, the driver may be outdated. You can verify by checking the driver version in Device Manager.
Is it safe to update USB drivers?
Yes, updating USB drivers is safe if done through Device Manager, Windows Update, or the official manufacturer website.
Can Windows 11 automatically update USB drivers?
Yes, Windows 11 automatically installs many driver updates through Windows Update, but manual checks are sometimes necessary.
Why is my USB port still not working after updating drivers?
The issue could be related to hardware damage, outdated chipset drivers, BIOS issues, or power management settings.
Do I need third-party driver updater software?
It is generally recommended to avoid third-party driver tools. Using built-in Windows tools or official manufacturer websites is safer and more reliable.