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How to Remove Drivers in Safe Mode on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Driver Issues

Driver issues can cause your Windows 11 computer to behave unexpectedly or stop working properly. Removing problematic drivers often helps fix these issues.

Safe Mode is a special startup mode that loads only essential drivers and services. This makes it easier to troubleshoot and remove faulty drivers without interference.

This guide will walk you through the simplest and most effective way to remove drivers in Safe Mode on Windows 11.

By following these steps carefully, you can resolve many common driver-related problems and get your system back to normal.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure you have administrator access on your Windows 11 device, as removing drivers requires admin rights.
  • It’s a good idea to create a system restore point before making changes, so you can revert if something goes wrong.
  • Identify the problematic driver beforehand if you can. Knowing the device name or driver type helps speed up the process.
  • Disconnect any external devices not needed during troubleshooting to avoid confusion.

Step 1: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode

Starting Windows in Safe Mode ensures only necessary drivers and services load, preventing conflicts while you remove the faulty driver.

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings (gear icon).
  2. Go to System > Recovery.
  3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Your PC will restart and show a menu.
  4. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  5. After restart, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode. To enter Safe Mode with Networking, press 5 or F5.

Once in Safe Mode, Windows will only load essential drivers, making it safer to remove problematic ones.

Step 2: Open Device Manager

Device Manager is the Windows tool used to manage all your hardware devices and their drivers.

  1. Right-click the Start button or press Windows + X.
  2. Choose Device Manager from the menu.

The Device Manager window will open, showing a list of all hardware categories.

Step 3: Locate the Problematic Driver

Find the device whose driver you want to remove. It’s usually under the relevant hardware category.

  1. Expand the category by clicking the arrow next to it (for example, Display adapters or Network adapters).
  2. Look for the device with issues. Devices with problems might have a yellow warning icon.

Knowing the device name helps ensure you remove the correct driver.

Step 4: Uninstall the Driver

Now that you have found the problematic device, you can uninstall its driver.

  1. Right-click the device and select Uninstall device.
  2. A confirmation dialog will appear. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if available.
  3. Click Uninstall to remove the driver.

This process removes the driver files from your system, preventing Windows from loading the faulty driver again.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer Normally

After uninstalling the driver in Safe Mode, you need to restart your PC to return to normal mode.

  1. Click Start, then select Power > Restart.

Windows will boot normally, and if the problematic driver was the cause of your issues, they should be resolved.

Alternative Method: Using the Command Prompt to Remove Drivers

If the Device Manager method doesn’t work, you can use the Command Prompt in Safe Mode to remove drivers.

  1. Open Safe Mode (refer to Step 1).
  2. Press Windows + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the command below to list installed drivers:
pnputil /enum-drivers

Find the driver you want to remove from the list (look for the published name).

  1. Run the following command to delete the driver package:
pnputil /delete-driver <published_name> /uninstall /force

Replace <published_name> with the actual driver name from the list.

This method is more advanced but useful if Device Manager is not responsive.

FAQs

Can I remove drivers in Safe Mode without admin rights?

No, administrator privileges are required to uninstall drivers because it affects system hardware functionality.

Will uninstalling a driver cause hardware to stop working?

Yes, the hardware device may stop working until you reinstall a proper driver. That’s why it’s important to have a replacement driver ready or let Windows reinstall a default one.

How do I know which driver is causing problems?

Look for devices with yellow warning signs in Device Manager or check error messages. You can also review recent driver updates that coincide with the issue.

Can I reinstall drivers after removing them in Safe Mode?

Yes, you can reinstall drivers manually or allow Windows Update to find and install compatible drivers automatically after restarting in normal mode.

What if Safe Mode won’t start?

If Safe Mode fails to start, try accessing it through Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or use a bootable Windows installation media for repair options.

When Nothing Works

If removing drivers in Safe Mode doesn’t fix your issue, consider these final options:

  • Use System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state.
  • Run the Windows Troubleshooter via Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
  • Update your Windows 11 installation to the latest version to get driver fixes.
  • Consult official Microsoft Support: https://support.microsoft.com/windows
  • If hardware issues persist, professional repair or replacement may be necessary.

Conclusion

Removing drivers in Safe Mode is a reliable way to fix many driver-related problems on Windows 11. Safe Mode prevents conflicts, allowing you to uninstall troublesome drivers safely.

By following the step-by-step instructions above, you can identify, remove, and reinstall drivers with confidence. Remember to create a restore point before making changes and always restart your computer normally after removing drivers.

If you encounter challenges, use advanced methods or seek official help to ensure your system remains stable and functional.

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