Checking Unsigned Drivers in Windows 11/10: Quick Troubleshooting Guide

If your Windows 11 or 10 PC is behaving unpredictably — crashing, freezing, or showing strange hardware errors — unsigned drivers might be to blame. Drivers act as communication bridges between your operating system and hardware. When a driver isn’t digitally signed, it means Microsoft hasn’t verified its integrity or compatibility, which can lead to serious issues.

In this quick troubleshooting guide, you’ll learn how to check unsigned drivers in Windows 11 and 10, why they can cause system instability, and what steps you can take to fix or replace them.

What Are Unsigned Drivers in Windows?

A signed driver is one that carries a digital signature — a verified seal from Microsoft or the hardware manufacturer ensuring the driver’s authenticity and safety. An unsigned driver, on the other hand, lacks this digital signature. Windows flags these drivers because they might have been modified, are outdated, or come from untrusted sources.

Why Windows Requires Driver Signatures

Microsoft enforces driver signature verification to maintain system integrity and protect users from malicious or incompatible drivers. Unsigned drivers can cause:

• Device malfunction or non-detection
• Frequent system crashes or BSODs
• "Code 52" or Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver errors

If you’ve ever installed third-party or legacy hardware, it’s a good idea to check for unsigned drivers to avoid performance or security risks.

Why You Should Check for Unsigned Drivers

Unsigned drivers can easily slip through, especially if installed manually or from unofficial sources. Unchecked, they can:

• Compromise system security
• Interfere with Windows updates
• Cause driver conflicts or boot issues

By verifying digital signatures, you can ensure your system is running only trusted and verified drivers, reducing the chances of hidden instability.

How to Check Unsigned Drivers in Windows 11/10

Windows provides multiple built-in tools to help you detect unsigned or unverified drivers. Let’s go through each method.

1. Using Device Manager

Device Manager is the easiest tool to spot unsigned drivers.

1. Press Windows + X, then select Device Manager.
2. Expand each category (like Display Adapters, Network Adapters, etc.).
3. Look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark — this often indicates a problematic or unsigned driver.
4. Right-click the device → Properties → Driver tab → click Driver Details.
5. If the digital signature is missing, the driver is unsigned.

2. Using Command Prompt (sigverif.exe)

Windows has a built-in utility called File Signature Verification Tool.

1. Press Windows + R, type sigverif, and hit Enter.
2. Click Start to begin the scan.
3. Windows will list any unsigned or modified drivers it detects.

This is one of the quickest methods to check unsigned drivers without needing technical expertise.

3. Using PowerShell

For advanced users, PowerShell can list all unsigned drivers.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the following command:

Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object {$_.IsSigned -eq $false} | Select DeviceName, DriverVersion, Manufacturer

PowerShell will display a list of all unsigned drivers.

4. Using Driver Verifier Tool (Advanced)

If you want to go deeper, the Driver Verifier tool can stress-test your drivers for reliability and signature verification.

1. Type verifier in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
2. Choose Create standard settings → Next.
3. Select Automatically select unsigned drivers → Finish.
4. Restart your computer and review the test results.

Note: Use this tool carefully — it’s intended for advanced troubleshooting and can cause temporary system slowdowns during testing.

How to Fix Unsigned Driver Issues

Once you identify unsigned drivers, here’s how you can fix or replace them:

Option 1: Update the Driver

Right-click the device in Device Manager → select Update Driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers or manually install from the official manufacturer’s website.

Option 2: Enable Driver Signature Enforcement

If you disabled driver signature enforcement temporarily, re-enable it for protection.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run:

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off

Restart your system.

Option 3: Uninstall and Replace the Unsigned Driver

If the driver continues causing problems, uninstall it and replace it with a digitally signed version.

Is It Safe to Install Unsigned Drivers?

Technically, yes — but only if you trust the source. Some legacy or custom hardware might only offer unsigned drivers. In such cases:

• Temporarily disable driver signature enforcement to install it.
• Immediately re-enable enforcement afterward to keep your system secure.

Avoid downloading drivers from unknown or unofficial sources. Unsigned drivers could be unstable or contain malware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happens if I install an unsigned driver in Windows 11?
   Your system may allow it temporarily, but it can lead to instability or driver conflicts.
2. Is it safe to use unsigned drivers?
   Only if they come from a trusted, verified developer or manufacturer.
3. How do I fix “Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver”?
   Uninstall and reinstall a digitally signed version of the driver or use Windows Update to find a verified alternative.
4. Why does Windows block unsigned drivers?
   To maintain system integrity and prevent malicious or corrupted software from affecting your device.
5. Can I permanently disable driver signature enforcement?
   You can, but it’s not recommended — doing so exposes your system to potential threats.

Final Thoughts

Unsigned drivers can seem harmless at first, but they often cause deep system issues over time. Regularly checking for unsigned drivers in Windows 11/10 ensures your computer runs smoothly and securely.

Always download drivers directly from trusted hardware manufacturers or Windows Update, and avoid bypassing signature enforcement unless absolutely necessary. By following these quick troubleshooting steps, you’ll keep your system reliable, safe, and error-free.