Fix NPU Driver Not Found Errors in Windows – Working Fix 2026
Hey everyone! Welcome back to Technical Kachhua. If you have recently bought a brand new “AI PC” with an Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen AI, or a Snapdragon X Elite processor, you are probably excited to use those cool AI features like Windows Studio Effects or local LLMs.
But what if you open your settings and see a scary message: “NPU Driver Not Found”? Or maybe you check your Task Manager and the NPU section is just… missing. It feels like you paid for a sports car but the engine is locked, right?
Don’t worry, you are not alone. In 2026, many users are facing this “NPU missing” or “driver not found” problem after a Windows update or a fresh install. Today, I will show you exactly how to fix this and bring your AI chip back to life.
Why is My NPU Driver Missing?
Before we fix it, let’s understand why this happens. The NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a very new technology.
Windows Update Bugs: Sometimes a Windows 11 update (like the recent 24H2 or 25H2) accidentally replaces your original driver with a generic one that doesn’t work.
BIOS Settings: The NPU can be disabled in your computer’s “brain” (BIOS), so Windows can’t even see it.
Outdated Drivers: AI technology is moving fast. If your driver is even 3 months old, it might not work with the latest AI apps.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix NPU Errors
1. Check if NPU is Enabled in BIOS
If Windows says “Driver Not Found,” it might be because the hardware itself is turned off.
Restart your laptop and keep pressing the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, or Del).
Look for a section called Advanced or Configuration.
Search for “NPU,” “Intel AI Boost,” or “AMD IPU Device.”
Make sure it is set to Enabled.
Save and Exit (F10). If it was disabled, your problem is solved!
2. Update via Device Manager (The "Force" Method)
Sometimes the driver is there, but Windows is confused.
Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Look for a category called “Neural processors.” 3. If you see “Intel(R) AI Boost” or “Qualcomm(R) Hexagon(TM) NPU” with a yellow triangle, right-click it.
Select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
If it says you have the best driver, try clicking “Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.”
3. Manual Driver Download (Most Reliable)
If Windows Update fails, you have to do it manually. This is the “Technical Kachhua” way!
For Intel (Core Ultra): Go to the Intel Download Center and search for “Intel NPU Driver“ or “Intel AI Boost.” Download the latest
.exefile.For AMD (Ryzen AI): Visit the AMD support site and download the “AMD IPU Driver” for your specific laptop model.
For Snapdragon X Elite: Go to your laptop manufacturer’s site (Dell, HP, Lenovo) and enter your Serial Number to get the “Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Driver.”
Pro Tip: While installing, if it fails with “Error 1000,” try disconnecting your internet and then run the installer again. Sometimes Windows try to overwrite the install in the background which causes errors.
4. Install the Latest Windows 2026 Patch (KB5074109)
In early 2026, Microsoft released a special update (KB5074109) specifically to fix NPU power and driver issues.
Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Check for updates and make sure you install all “Optional Updates” too. This patch fixes the bug where NPUs disappear when the laptop is on battery saver mode.
5. Reset the "AI Handshake" (Advanced)
If you still see the error, your system’s COM registration might be broken. This sounds complicated but it’s just a command.
Type
cmdin search, right-click and Run as Administrator.Type
regsvr32 /u McAIClient.dll(if you use McAfee/Security apps) or simply check for NPU driver realignment by typing:pnputil /enum-devices /class NeuralProcessorThis will show you if the hardware is “Connected” or “Disconnected.” If it says disconnected, your NPU might have a hardware issue, and you should contact support.
How to Verify the Fix?
Once you have installed the drivers and restarted:
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
Go to the Performance tab.
You should now see “NPU 0” at the bottom.
If you see it, try opening the Windows Camera app and turn on “Background Blur.” If the NPU graph goes up, congrats! Your AI PC is finally working.
Conclusion
Technology is amazing, but new things like NPUs always have some “teething problems.” The “NPU Driver Not Found” error is usually just a software glitch that you can fix with the right driver or a BIOS setting.
I hope this guide helped you to get your AI PC back on track. If you are still facing issues, please comment below with your Laptop Model and I will personally try to find the right driver link for you.
Pingback: Run x86 Apps on ARM-based Windows 11 & 12 Without Lag