Have you run into a frustrating issue where a yellow exclamation mark is showing up in the Device Manager for drivers on your Windows device? Fret not! This error implies that there is an issue with either the hardware or the drivers. When it crops up, the performance of the system gets severely impacted, leading to productivity loss. Getting into the root cause of the problem, I have shared the 16 most effective ways to fix the Device Manager yellow mark for drivers on Windows 11. Keep reading…
Best Tips & Tricks to Fix Device Manager Yellow Exclamation Mark for Drivers on Windows 11
There are multiple reasons why the yellow exclamation mark appears in the Device Manager including –
- Outdated drivers
- Corrupted drivers
- Missing drivers
- Incompatible hardware
- Faulty installation
- Conflicting devices
- Windows updates
- Power management issues
- System file corruption
- Driver signature errors
Hence, you can troubleshoot the error by taking these culprits into account and trying the related solutions. With that said, let’s get started with the guide!
1. Restart Your PC
Why look anywhere else when you have an incredibly simple yet effective solution in the form of a quick restart readily available? Yeah, you got that right! A restart is powerful enough to fix the temporary driver conflicts or installation-related issues on Windows.
- First up, make sure to save your work and then head over to Start > Power > Restart.
- Once your PC has restarted, check if the error has gone.
2. Run Windows Update
A malicious Windows bug might be at the forefront of this issue, therefore go for the latest update. Since most Windows updates are unleashed with several bug fixes and performance boosters, it wouldn’t be wrong to count on the update to rescue your PC.
- Open Settings > Windows Update and Check for updates.
- As always, go ahead to install any available updates.
3. Update Drivers via Device Manager
Note that Windows is equipped to automatically search for and install the latest drivers on your PC.
- Right-click on the Start menu > Device Manager.
- Then, you need to right-click on the device with the yellow mark and choose Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers and then follow the quick prompts to complete the process.
4. Reinstall the Driver
Reinstalling the driver often works wonders in fixing the corrupt or improperly installed drivers.
- In Device Manager, you have to right-click on the device with the yellow mark.
- Choose “Uninstall device” and confirm.
- Then, make sure to restart your PC to automatically reinstall the driver.
5. Roll Back Driver
Did the issue start after updating a driver on your PC? If yes, rolling back can let you restore the previous, stable version.
- To get it done, right-click the device in Device Manager > Properties.
- Head over to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Install Driver Manually
Should the issue persist, try installing a driver directly from the manufacturer’s website.
- Download the latest driver from the device manufacturer’s website.
- In Device Manager, right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers and point to the downloaded file.
7. Check for Hardware Changes
At times, the hardware changes or a newly connected device isn’t recognized until a manual scan is performed.
- In Device Manager, click Action > Scan for hardware changes.
8. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Windows’s built-in troubleshooter excels in automatically detecting and fixing common hardware issues. Hence, it would be wise to bring this noted troubleshooter into action and use it to diagnose the problem.
- Open Settings on your PC. System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and follow the instructions to eliminate the issues.
9. Update BIOS/UEFI
Outdated BIOS/UEFI firmware tends to cause compatibility issues with drivers.
- Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website.
- Download the latest BIOS/UEFI version and follow the instructions provided.
10. Check for Conflicting Devices
Bear in mind that the conflicting devices are equally responsible for triggering unexpected driver issues. Thus, nab the conflicting elements and take control of them – sooner rather than later.
- Open Device Manager on your Windows device and find out if there are multiple instances of the same device or other devices with yellow marks.
- Next, right-click and uninstall conflicting devices.
- Next up, restart your PC.
11. Run SFC
It’s worth pointing out that the system file corruption is well-known for causing driver issues. In most cases, you can resolve the system file corruption by running the SFC (System File Checker) on your device.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
12. Run DISM Scan
DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) is designed to fix system image issues and restore system health.
- To get going, bring up the Command Prompt as Administrator
- Press the Windows key and type cmd.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Run the DISM Command
- In the Command Prompt window, input the following command and press Enter:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Wait for the Scan to Complete
- The process may take some time (usually 10-30 minutes), depending on your system.
- Once finished, you’ll see a message indicating whether any issues were found and repaired.
- Restart Your PC
- After the scan has been completed, make sure to restart your PC to ensure the changes take effect.
13. Check for Compatibility Issues
Be aware of the fact that some older drivers might not be compatible with Windows 11. Thus, check for the compatibility issues on your device.
- Right-click on the driver installer and select Properties.
- Under the Compatibility tab, check Run this program in compatibility mode and select an older version of Windows.
14. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Some drivers, especially third-party ones, may not be signed, causing conflicts.
- Restart your computer and press F8 to open the Advanced Boot Options.
- Select Disable Driver Signature Enforcement.
- Reinstall the driver.
15. Check Power Management Settings
It’s no secret that the ill-configured power settings can make your PC behave abnormally, throwing all sorts of tantrums. Take a close look at the power management settings and fine-tune them properly.
- Simply, right-click the device in Device Manager and choose Properties.
- Now, navigate to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and reboot your PC.
16. Perform a System Restore
If the yellow mark appeared after recent changes, a system restore can revert to a previous state where drivers were working fine.
- On your PC, search for Create a restore point in the Start menu and open it.
- Click on System Restore and follow the prompts to choose a restore point before the issue begins.
Wrapping up
There you have it, folks! I hope the yellow mark no longer shows in the Device Manager on your PC. From what I have experienced, you can get rid of this error by updating the drivers or flushing out the corrupted one – more often than not. Besides, updating software and taking control of the conflicting devices also work well in fixing this issue.
