Sometimes, when you try to roll back a device driver on Windows 11, the option might be greyed out or simply not work. This can be frustrating, especially if a recent driver update is causing issues. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this problem and get your system back to a stable state.
This guide will walk you through simple and effective steps to troubleshoot and resolve the driver rollback feature not working on Windows 11. Each step is explained clearly, so even beginners can follow along.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand why the rollback feature might fail and how to fix it using built-in tools or alternative methods.
Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the detailed solutions.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Checks
- Ensure you are logged in as an administrator. Only admin accounts can change driver settings.
- Check if the “Roll Back Driver” button is grayed out. This usually means no previous driver version is saved on your system.
- Make sure System Restore is enabled. Sometimes rollback depends on restore points or saved driver versions.
- Verify your device has been updated recently. Rollback only works if there was a previous driver version installed.
Step 1: Use Device Manager to Retry Driver Rollback
The simplest way to rollback a driver is through Device Manager. Here’s how to try it again carefully:
- Press
Windows + Xand select Device Manager. - Locate the device whose driver you want to roll back (for example, Display adapters for graphics card).
- Right-click the device and choose Properties.
- Go to the Driver tab.
- If the Roll Back Driver button is clickable, click it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback.
Why this is important: Device Manager directly accesses the driver settings. If the rollback option is available here, it’s the safest way to revert to a previous driver.
Step 2: Check for Driver Backup Files
If the rollback button is greyed out, it usually means Windows doesn’t have the previous driver backup. You can manually check this by:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to
C:WindowsSystem32DriverStoreFileRepository. - Look for folders related to your device driver. These folders usually start with the driver name and version.
- If no older version folders exist, Windows cannot rollback because it has no previous driver stored.
Why this matters: Windows keeps copies of installed drivers here to allow rollback. If these files are missing or deleted, rollback won’t work.
Step 3: Use System Restore to Undo Driver Updates
If Device Manager rollback is unavailable, you can use System Restore to revert your computer to a state before the driver update.
- Press
Windows + S, type Create a restore point, and select it. - Click on System Restore button.
- Choose a restore point dated before your driver update.
- Follow the instructions to restore your system.
Why this helps: System Restore rolls back system files and drivers to an earlier date, which can fix driver-related issues when rollback isn’t available.
Step 4: Manually Install an Older Driver Version
If automatic rollback methods fail, you can manually download and install an older driver version.
- Visit the official website of your device manufacturer (like NVIDIA, Intel, AMD, or your PC maker).
- Search for the driver section and locate previous versions of the driver.
- Download the older version compatible with Windows 11.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list.
- Click Have Disk and navigate to the folder where you saved the driver.
- Follow prompts to install the older driver.
Why this is useful: This method bypasses the need for rollback by installing a stable driver version manually.
Alternative Method: Use Third-Party Driver Management Tools
There are tools like Driver Booster or Snappy Driver Installer that can help manage and rollback drivers if native Windows tools fail. However, use these cautiously and only download from reputable sources.
FAQs
Why is the Roll Back Driver button greyed out?
This happens when Windows has no previous driver version saved. It may occur if it’s a new device, the driver was never updated, or backup files were deleted.
Can I rollback drivers without admin rights?
No. Rolling back drivers requires administrator privileges because it changes system-level files.
Does System Restore affect my personal files?
No, System Restore only affects system files and drivers. Your documents and personal files remain unchanged.
Is it safe to manually install older drivers?
Yes, but make sure to download drivers from official manufacturer websites to avoid compatibility or security issues.
Can Windows Update force install drivers again after rollback?
Yes, sometimes Windows Update may reinstall the latest driver. You can pause driver updates temporarily if needed.
When Nothing Works
If none of the above solutions fix the driver rollback issue, consider the following options:
- Contact device manufacturer support: They may provide specialized troubleshooting or driver files.
- Use Windows 11 built-in troubleshooting tools: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the hardware troubleshooter.
- Reset your PC: As a last resort, resetting Windows 11 can fix deep driver problems but always back up your data first.
- Visit the official Microsoft support page: https://support.microsoft.com/windows
Conclusion
Driver rollback issues in Windows 11 can be caused by missing backup files or system settings. Starting with basic Device Manager checks, moving to System Restore, and finally manual driver installation provides a logical way to fix the problem.
Always ensure you have administrator access and that your system creates restore points regularly. If needed, third-party tools can help, but use them carefully.
With these steps, you should be able to resolve driver rollback problems and keep your Windows 11 device running smoothly.