How to get Windows 7 to try to install a device driver again?

Question

I have a wireless Logitech mouse with a USB receiver. I am trying to connect it to a Dell laptop with Windows7 64bit. The first time I put it in a USB port, Windows 7 tries to detect it and install a driver but I get a "Device driver was not successfully installed". It does this when I try other USB ports. Device manager doesn't show anything new being installed.

However I can't get Windows 7 to try again if I reinsert the USB receiver. It seems Win7 either installed something or has a flag that the device doesn't work properly.

I need to have Win7 in clear state as if I am putting the USB device in for the first time. How do I do this so that every time I insert the USB device, Win7 tries to install the device driver. (I don't care if it doesn't install the driver successfully at the time). I am trying to find out why it's failing and I need the details info.

(I installed SetPoint, the mouse software, and the laptop still can't detect the mouse)

Solution 1

In Device Manager, click on the View menu and then Show hidden devices. Delete the broken ones. Refresh the window or restart Windows.

Solution 2

You can easily do that by going to Control Panel > System > Device Manager

When the device window opens, right click on problematic driver and choose Uninstall option.

Once the process is finished right click on any driver and choose Scan for hardware changes option.

Also you should check out for the latest available software for your Windows version on Logitech Support website. Download and install it and then restart computer.