Driver Booster stuck on scanning? Downloads frozen at 0%? Crashing on launch, or a driver install that failed? Almost every one of these has a simple cause. Work through this list in order — the fix is usually in the first five steps.
Quick diagnosis
Pick the symptom that matches and jump to it: won't open (steps 1–3), stuck scanning (steps 4–5), download stuck / slow (steps 6–8), install failed (steps 9–11), caused a problem after updating (step 12).
12 fixes, in order
1. Run as administrator
Driver tools need elevated rights. Right-click the Driver Booster shortcut and choose Run as administrator. This alone fixes a surprising number of "won't do anything" cases.
2. Restart your PC
A pending update or a locked driver file often needs a reboot to clear. Restart and try again before anything more involved.
3. Reinstall the latest version
A corrupted or outdated install misbehaves. Uninstall from Windows Settings, then download the newest build from the official page and reinstall clean.
Reinstall the latest version
A clean install of the current build fixes most launch and crash issues.
4. Wait out the first scan
On older or heavily-loaded PCs the first scan can genuinely take several minutes. If the progress bar is still moving, give it time before assuming it is frozen.
5. Close conflicting driver tools
Running two driver updaters (or GPU control panels mid-update) at once causes scans to hang. Close any other driver software and scan again.
6. Check your internet connection
Downloads stuck at 0% almost always mean the connection dropped or is being blocked. Confirm you are online and try a different network if possible.
7. Whitelist it in your antivirus & firewall
Security software sometimes blocks the driver download because the tool touches system files. Add Driver Booster as an exception in your antivirus and Windows Firewall, then retry.
Only whitelist the genuine app
This advice assumes you installed the real IObit version from the official source. Never whitelist a "cracked" build — those really can be malware.
8. Change the download server / DNS
If one download mirror is slow, a different network or switching your DNS (for example to a public resolver) can unstick it. Then restart the download.
9. Free up disk space
Driver installs fail when the drive is nearly full. Make sure you have at least a few GB free on your system drive.
10. Temporarily disable Windows driver signature issues
If a specific driver refuses to install, it may be a signature or compatibility mismatch. Update Windows fully first — an out-of-date OS is a common cause of install failures.
11. Skip the problem driver, update the rest
If one device consistently fails, unselect it and update the others. A single stubborn driver should not block your whole update. You can install that one manually from the device maker later.
12. Roll back a bad update
If a driver update caused a new problem (no sound, black screen, crash), do not panic. Open Tools → Rescue in Driver Booster and restore the previous driver, or use the Windows restore point it created. Everything it changes is backed up.
Nothing is permanent
Because Driver Booster backs up every driver and creates a restore point before updating, any bad update can be undone. That safety net is one of the best reasons to let it manage your drivers.
Still not working?
If you have worked through all twelve and it still fails, the cleanest reset is: uninstall, restart, and reinstall the very latest version from the official page. That resolves the large majority of remaining cases.
FAQ
Why is Driver Booster stuck on scanning?
Usually another driver tool is running, or the scan just needs more time on an older PC. Close conflicting software, run as admin, and wait it out.
Why won't drivers download?
Almost always the internet connection or antivirus/firewall blocking it. Confirm you are online and whitelist the genuine app.
An update broke something — what now?
Use Tools → Rescue to roll back, or restore the point it created. All changes are reversible.
Reinstall the latest version
Download the genuine IObit installer — free, safe, and straight from the official source.
Free Download