How to retest a computer after a failed driver install

A driver install fails, or finishes but leaves a camera, sound device, printer, or other hardware acting differently. You need to know whether the device still works, whether the problem is limited to one app, and what to try before installing anything again.

Use a browser test to check the hardware itself, then compare the results before and after a restart. The test cannot confirm that a particular driver is installed correctly, but it can show whether the device responds.

Retest the hardware

Open Test Everything. It runs the available hardware tests step by step and gives you a report. Start with the test for the device affected by the driver install.
Use the device as the test asks. For example, speak into a microphone, move the mouse, or press keys. Note what happens, including whether the device is missing, unresponsive, or behaving incorrectly.
Run a few relevant tests for related hardware. If an audio driver failed, check both the microphone and speakers. If a graphics or display driver failed, check the display and connected screens.
Restart the computer, then repeat the test for the affected device. Compare the result with the first run and keep the Test Everything report for reference.

Test Everything checks hardware through your browser. It does not install, repair, or roll back drivers. Some tests also depend on browser permission, so allow camera or microphone access if the test asks for it.

What the result means

The device works in the test after restarting

The hardware can respond, so it is less likely to be physically broken. The failed install may have been incomplete, or the original app may be using a different device or setting. Test the device in that app and check its selected input, output, or camera.

The device fails in the test and in other apps

The problem is probably at the system or device level, not just in one app. Check whether the operating system detects the device and whether it shows an error. A browser test cannot identify the exact driver or explain an operating system error code.

The device works in the test but not in one app

The driver and hardware may be working well enough for the browser. Check the app's device selection and permissions, then close and reopen the app. On Windows 11, check Settings › Privacy & security and open Camera or Microphone if that is the device involved. On macOS, check System Settings › Privacy & Security and review the relevant permission.

The device does not appear or the test cannot access it

This does not prove the device is broken. It may be unplugged, disabled, blocked by a permission, or unavailable to the browser. For a USB device, reconnect it and try another port. For a camera or microphone, check browser permission before drawing conclusions.

How to fix the driver problem

Restart the computer. A driver installer may ask for a restart, and Windows may not load the new or restored driver until then. Retest the device after startup.
Reconnect the device. Unplug an external USB device, wait a few seconds, and plug it directly into another port. For Bluetooth hardware, disconnect and reconnect it using the system's Bluetooth settings.
Check the device in Windows. On Windows 11, right-click Start and open Device Manager. Find the device, look for a warning symbol, and open its properties to read any error message. Do not remove other devices just because their names are unfamiliar.
Roll back a recent driver change if Windows offers it. In Device Manager, open the device's Properties, choose the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver if available. Restart and test again. The option may be unavailable if Windows has no earlier driver saved.
Use the operating system's update channel. In Windows 11, check Settings › Windows Update › Advanced options › Optional updates for a suitable driver. On macOS, open System Settings › General › Software Update and install available system updates. Do not install a driver meant for a different model or operating system.
Check whether macOS blocked the software. If a compatible device package or extension was blocked, look for a notification and review System Settings › Privacy & Security. Follow the device maker's instructions for that exact package. macOS does not use Windows Device Manager, and many accessories work through built-in system support without a separate driver.
Reinstall only the correct package. Get it from the computer or device maker's official support page, matching the exact model and operating system version. If the install fails again, save the error message and contact the maker rather than trying unrelated driver files.

When it may be a hardware fault

Test an external device on another computer, if possible. If it fails there too, reconnecting or changing the driver is unlikely to help. Inspect its cable and connector, and check the device maker's warranty or repair options. For built-in hardware, arrange service if it remains unavailable after system updates and the manufacturer's recommended troubleshooting.

What a browser test cannot tell you

A browser test can show whether a supported device responds, but it cannot inspect every driver file, read all operating system error codes, or prove that the newest driver is the best one. Some checks are also limited by browser permissions and access to hardware. For more on those limits, see what a browser-based hardware check cannot detect.

Test Everything runs in your browser and does not change your drivers or system settings.