How to Update Motherboard Drivers – Chipset Audio LAN

Hi, PC owner! You want your computer to work well. It does not matter if it is new or old. A key part of that is keeping it up to date. Knowing how to update motherboard drivers is a very useful skill. It can fix issues, make your PC faster, and more stable. ✨

But it can sound scary. What are drivers? Where do you get them? Is it safe? Do not worry. This guide on how to update motherboard drivers will show you each step in a simple way. We will not use hard tech words. We will show you the safe and right way to get your motherboard working great.

We will talk about the three main drivers: Chipset, Audio, and LAN. When we are done, you will know how to update your drivers. You will feel like a pro. Your PC will run better too. Let’s get started!

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What Are Motherboard Drivers Anyway?

First, let’s talk about what drivers are. Knowing the basics makes it all much easier. It is like learning the rules of a game before you play.

What is a Motherboard’s Job?

Your motherboard is the main board in your PC. It is like the central hub for everything. Every part of your computer plugs into it. Your main chip (CPU), memory (RAM), and video card all connect to it. It lets all the parts talk to each other. Without it, your PC would just be a box of parts.

So, What Are Drivers?

Think of your PC parts as speaking different languages. A “driver” is software that works like a translator. 🗣️ It lets Windows talk to and control the parts on your motherboard.

If your drivers are old, the translation can be bad. This can cause problems. Your internet might stop working. Your sound might not be clear. Updating drivers gives your translators a new dictionary. It helps them do their job better.

What Are the Main Motherboard Drivers?

Your motherboard has a few key parts that need drivers. We will look at the three most common ones.

What is the Chipset Driver?

This is the most important driver. The chipset is like the traffic cop for the whole board. It controls how data moves between the CPU, RAM, and other parts. A new chipset driver helps all the paths on your board work fast and well. This is a big deal for your PC’s speed.

What is the Audio Driver?

This one is easy! The audio driver controls the sound parts on your motherboard. It lets you hear music and game sounds. Most motherboards use a sound chip from a company called Realtek. If you have sound problems, this driver is often the cause.

What is the LAN Driver?

LAN means Local Area Network. The LAN driver controls the port where you plug in your internet cable. If you use a wired internet link, this driver is very important. Updating it can fix connection problems. It can also make your network faster.

The Safe Way: How to Prepare for an Update

Wait! Before you download anything, we need to get ready. Doing things in the right order is key to a safe update. This is a very important part of the guide. Please read it with care.

How Do I Find My Exact Motherboard Model?

You need to know your motherboard model to get the right drivers. Using the wrong drivers can cause big problems. It is easy to find your model name. Here are a few simple ways.

Use the System Information Tool in Windows

This is the easiest way. You do not need to install any new software.

1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This opens the Run box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. A new window will open. Look for the lines that say “BaseBoard Manufacturer” and “BaseBoard Product.”

The manufacturer is the company name (like ASUS or MSI). The product is the model name (like “B550-F GAMING”). Write this down!

Use the Command Prompt

This is another fast way to get the info.

1. Click the Start menu and type cmd.
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator.”
3. Type this command and press Enter: wmic baseboard get product,manufacturer

It will show you the same info. It is clean and simple.

Why Should I Avoid Third-Party Driver Update Tools?

This is a very important warning. You will see ads for programs that say they will update all your drivers. Please, do not use them! 🚫

These programs often cause more problems than they fix. They can install the wrong drivers. This can make your PC crash. Some of them have bad software with them. It is not worth the risk. The safest way is to get the drivers yourself from the real source.

The Golden Rule for How to Update Motherboard Drivers?

Here is the most important rule: Always get your drivers from the website of the company that made your motherboard.

This is the only way to be sure you are getting the right, safe drivers for your PC. It may take a few more minutes, but it is the best way.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Update Motherboard Drivers

Okay, you have your motherboard model name. You know to stay away from bad software. Now you are ready to update. Let’s go through the steps.

Step 1: How Do I Find My Motherboard’s Support Page?

Open your web browser. Go to a search site like Google.

Search for your motherboard model name. Then add the word “support” or “drivers.” For example, if you have an MSI B660M board, you would search for:

“MSI B660M support”

The first result is almost always the right page from the company’s website. Click on it.

Step 2: Where is the Driver Download Section?

On the support page, look for a button that says “Support,” “Downloads,” or “Drivers.” Each website is a bit different, but it is usually easy to spot. This is where you will find all the software for your board.

Step 3: Do I Need to Select My Operating System?

Yes, this is a very important step. You will see a menu to pick your operating system. Make sure you pick the right one. Most people today use Windows 11 64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit. If you pick the wrong one, the drivers will not work.

Step 4: How Do I Download the Right Drivers?

Now you will see a list of driver types. It might look like a lot, but we will just get the main ones. It is best to download them one by one.

How to Update Motherboard Drivers for the Chipset?

Look for a section called “Chipset.” This is your first one. Click the “Download” button for the latest version. The date will show you which one is new. Your chipset is likely from AMD or Intel.

How to Update Motherboard Drivers for Audio?

Next, find the “Audio” section. You will likely see a name like “Realtek Audio Driver.” Just like before, download the newest version. If you have had sound issues, this is the driver to get.

How to Update Motherboard Drivers for LAN/Ethernet?

Now look for the “LAN” or “Network” section. This driver helps your wired internet work well. Download the latest version to make sure your link is strong and fast.

How to Update Motherboard Drivers for Other Things?

You might see other types like SATA or USB. You usually do not need to update these. Only update them if you have a problem with your drives or USB ports. The drivers from Windows are often fine for these parts. It is best to stick to Chipset, Audio, and LAN.

Step 5: How Do I Install the Drivers I Downloaded?

You have the files. Now it is time to install them.

1. Find the Files: Go to your “Downloads” folder. The drivers will likely be in .ZIP files.
2. Extract the Files: Right-click on each .ZIP file. Choose “Extract All…”. This makes a new, normal folder.
3. Run the Installer: Open the new folder. Look for a file named “Setup.exe” or “Install.exe.” Double-click this file.
4. Follow the Steps: A setup screen will open. Just follow the steps. You usually just click “Next” a few times.
5. Restart Your PC: After you install a driver, it is a good idea to restart your computer. The chipset driver will almost always ask you to restart. This helps the new driver work right.

Install one driver, then restart. Then install the next one, and restart. This makes it easy to find the cause if a problem happens.

Common Questions About How to Update Motherboard Drivers

What if you have a problem? Do you need to do this often? Let’s answer some common questions.

Can I Just Use Windows Update for My Drivers?

Windows Update does a good job of installing basic drivers. But it often does not have the newest ones. The drivers from the company’s website are made just for your motherboard. They can give you better speed and more options.

It is okay to use Windows Update for some things. But for the best results, get the Chipset and Audio drivers from the source. For a look at official drivers, you can check out a big company’s download page, like the one from Intel for their parts.

How Often Should I Update My Motherboard Drivers?

This is a great question. The simple answer is: not very often. A good rule is, “if it works, do not fix it.”

You should only update your motherboard drivers if:

• You are setting up a new PC.
• You have a problem, like your sound not working.
• A new driver adds a feature you want or fixes a safety issue.

If your PC is running well, it is fine to leave the drivers alone. You do not need to check for updates every week. Knowing when not to act is part of learning how to update motherboard drivers.

What Do I Do if My PC Acts Weird After an Update?

It is not common, but a new driver can cause a problem. Do not worry! It is usually easy to fix. You can go back to the old driver.

1. Right-click the Start button. Choose “Device Manager.”
2. Find the part that has a problem. For sound, open the “Sound, video and game controllers” list.
3. Right-click the device (like “Realtek Audio”). Choose “Properties.”
4. Go to the “Driver” tab.
5. Click the “Roll Back Driver” button.

Windows will put your old driver back. This is why we install drivers one at a time. It helps you know which one to roll back if you need to.

The Final Verdict on How to Update Motherboard Drivers

And that is it! You now know how to safely update your motherboard drivers. It might seem like a lot of steps, but it is fast. The whole thing usually takes less than 15 minutes.

Let’s review the key points. First, find your exact motherboard model. Second, only get drivers from the official company website. Last, stay away from third-party update tools.

By following this guide on how to update motherboard drivers, you are taking great care of your PC. You are making sure it runs as well as it can. You have learned a useful skill that puts you in control. Great job! 👍

FAQ – How to Update Motherboard Drivers