Q. What are driver errors?

A. In order for your devices and your software on your computer to function, they require files that are known as drivers. These drivers help route commands and are responsible for having the device or software work properly. At times however, these drivers may become corrupted and cease functioning properly. This results in a driver error.

Q. What are the most common driver errors?

A. By far, the most prevalent issue with drivers is spyware. These malicious files often corrupt drivers and make them unusable. In some cases, this is the number one way to tell if your system has been infected with spyware. In extreme cases, the entire computer may become unusable thanks to these driver errors.

The second most common error is a printer driver error. These can happen pretty frequently and there are two main causes. First, a simple malfunction that occurs once or every so often, and second, a completely corrupted driver file.

Q. How do I fix driver errors?

A. Let’s deal with spyware problems first. If you have noticed a dramatic increase in driver errors, assume that you have been infected with spyware. Download a spyware removal tool and run a complete scan. It may take awhile depending on how many files you have on your system. Quarantine and fix any files that are infected and restart your computer. At this point, you will most likely need to download new driver files and then replace the corrupted ones. This should solve the issue.

For a printer driver error, first turn off the device and turn it back on. Try to print again. If the error occurs once more, you may need to replace the printer’s driver. You can usually find a new copy at the printer manufacturer’s website. Download the appropriate driver for your system and then install it. This should remove the problem.

If it persists, you may need to completely uninstall your printer and then reinstall it. Open your device manager and uninstall your printer there. Unplug it and restart your computer. Now, turn your computer off, attach the printer again and restart. Your computer will recognize the new hardware and begin installing it. Once this is done the error should be fixed.

Q. How do I stop this from happening in the future?

A. It’s always a good idea to keep a copy of your device driver files in a safe place, such as a USB drive. That way when an error occurs, you’ll have a copy of the driver that is having problems all ready to go. Simply use your back up to overwrite the existing driver file.

It is also a very good idea to use a spyware detector that will alert you if your computer has been infected with spyware. The quicker you remove the problem, the less damage it will be able to cause. Try to periodically scan your computer for spyware and viruses every week and always make sure that your virus definitions are up to date.