Knowing the gravity of this issue, we have prepared this guide to help you rectify it and get back to updating your drivers quickly.

Why are my driver downloads failing?

Below are some of the reasons your driver download might fail:

Failed integrity checks: Windows usually tests drivers for authenticity during installation. Drivers failing these tests may be prevented from downloading. Third-party applications: Some third-party software sometimes conflicts with the drivers being downloaded, resulting in the issue. So, you might need to remove these apps using uninstaller software to push the download through. Corrupt driver files: The driver’s package could be corrupt/incomplete at the source. The solution to this is to redownload the file from the source. Antivirus software: Drivers are typically in .exe format, so your antivirus might mistake them for malware. You might need to disable the antivirus software to solve the problem.

What can I do if the driver download has failed?

Before exploring the fixes in this section, below are some preliminary checks you should perform:

Restart your PC Check your internet connection

If the issue persists, you can now delve into the solutions below:

1. Disable driver signature checks

As mentioned earlier, Windows is default programmed to permit only signed (verified) drivers. Therefore, the download will fail if your driver is not signed. The solution to this is to disable the integrity check temporarily. Note that you should only do this for drivers downloaded from trusted sources. Lastly, ensure you enable the feature after installing the driver to protect your PC from faulty drivers.

3. Disable the SmartScreen filter

The Windows SmartScreen filter scans the driver’s download, files, applications, and websites and automatically blocks unrecognized content. If the driver download fails, try disabling this feature. An automatic driver updater such as DriverFix can also repair damaged drivers and detect whether your PC has any missing drivers. It is also a safer option because they always match your hardware with its corresponding driver version. If you update manually, you may install the wrong driver, which can cause significant issues. ⇒ Get DriverFix

4. Perform disk cleanup

Some significant drivers will cause issues if you lack sufficient disk space. So, if your driver download is missing, you should free up some space by performing Disk Cleanup. ⇒ Get ESET NOD32 Knowing the driver’s legitimacy, you can temporarily disable your antivirus to complete the download. For example, if you are using a third-party antivirus, you can right-click the icon on your taskbar and select the option to turn it off. Similarly, turning off the firewall may help. Remember to re-enable all your protection systems as soon as possible to reduce your PC’s vulnerability. If the issue persists, you might want to consider switching to different antivirus software that offers excellent protection. You won’t interfere with your system in any way, so feel free to try it out. With this, we can conclude this guide on pushing your driver download through if it keeps failing. However, you should be able to fix the issue for good now by following the steps therein. Similarly, if you can’t download only NVIDIA drivers, check our guide dedicated to fixing the issue. Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

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