The System Management Bus (SM Bus) controller facilitates low-speed communication between different hardware components of the PC. It manages and controls the temperature, voltage, and power. Needless to say, it is an important component. However, you may have noticed a question mark or a yellow sign next to the controller in the Device Manager. This indicates that its SM Bus Controller driver is outdated and in this article, we will guide you on how to download and install it on Windows. Let’s get started.
How to Download SM Bus Controller Driver on Windows
Behind all the system operations lies a web of intricate hardware components, and the SM Bus controller takes charge of it. It conducts the exchange of data between devices like temperature sensors, fans, and voltage regulators to prevent overheating and hardware damage. There are multiple ways to update the SM Bus driver. Let’s go through them:
Method 1: Update Via Windows Update
Windows Update often includes driver updates to ensure that the hardware works optimally with the operating system. This is the first thing you can try to download an update to the SMBus Controller driver.
1. Launch Settings on the PC and move to the System tab.
2. Click on Windows Update on the right pane.
3. Now click on Check for updates.
4. If updates are available, click on the Download & install all button.
5. Once downloaded, Restart the PC to install it.
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Method 2: Download Via Device Manager
Device Manager allows users to manage and update the device drivers with ease. Follow the steps to download the SM Bus controller driver through it:
1. Open Device Manager and expand the System devices section.
2. Look for the SMBus Controller in the list of devices, like in our case AMD SMBus.
3. Select Update driver from the context menu.
4. Choose the option to Search automatically for drivers.
Windows will search online for the appropriate driver for your SM Bus Controller and automatically download and install it.
5. Once the driver installation is complete, Restart the PC.
Method 3: Update Manually
You can even download and install the SM Bus controller driver from the Intel and AMD official websites as well, using their respective tools. Let’s go through the methods:
Method 3.1: Via AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition Application
For AMD PCs, the manufacturer provides the AMD Software: Adrenaline Edition Application that helps users access the latest driver updates. Follow the steps below to use it:
1. Launch the official AMD Software website and click on DOWNLOAD NOW to download the app.
2. Install the package and let the software check the compatibility.
3. Now select AMD SMBus Driver and click on Install.
4. Once installed, Restart the PC.
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Method 3.2: Via Intel® DSA Tool
Intel® Driver & Support Assistant (DSA) automatically detects the hardware and checks for the latest driver updates for the specific system configuration. Here’s how to proceed:
1. Visit the official Intel® Driver & Support Assistant Application. and click on Download now.
2. Double-click on the downloaded .exe file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the software.
3. Restart the PC to complete the installation.
4. Launch the software and let it detect the SMBus Controller driver. You can download and install it then.
Method 4: Download Via the Intel Chipset Device Software Utility ( For Intel PCs)
The Intel® Chipset Device Software for Windows ensures that all Windows INF (Information) files related to the chipset are correctly installed. Here’s how to use it to download and install the SM Bus Controller driver:
1. Launch the official website for Intel Chipset Device Software Utility on any browser and click on the Download option.
2. Extract contents from the zip file.
3. Double-click on SetupChipset and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch the software.
It will automatically detect the SM Bus Controller on your system and provide you with the appropriate driver for it.
5. Follow the prompts to initiate the process and Restart the PC.
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Method 5: Reinstall the SM Bus Controller
You can even uninstall and reinstall the SM Bus Controller from the Device Manager to download fresh new drivers for it.
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand the System devices section and click on the SMBus Controller.
3. Click on Uninstall device.
4. Restart the PC.
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Method 6: Use Third Party Tool
Lastly, you can also use a third-party tool such as Bit Driver Updater to update all the outdated drivers including the ones for SM Bus Controller.
What Does the SM Bus Controller Driver Do?
The SM Bus Controller Driver serves several vital functions in a computer’s operation, such as:
- Communication and Monitoring: SM Bus is a communication protocol used for system management and monitoring various hardware components on the computer’s motherboard. All the communication between the OS and the motherboard’s embedded controllers is facilitated by the driver.
- Hardware Identification: It helps identify and manage system components such as temperature sensors, voltage regulators, and power management controllers. It helps ensure the system remains stable and healthy.
- Thermal and Power Management: SM Bus controller driver enables the OS to control and monitor the system’s temperature to ensure it stays within safe limits. It also helps in power management and optimizes energy consumption.
- Overclocking and Performance Tuning: The driver can handle power-related commands, giving the PC the ability to manage tasks like turning itself on or off efficiently. It also assists in managing overclocking managements.
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We hope this article helped download the SM Bus Controller driver on Windows 10/11. If you have any queries or suggestions, do let us know in the comments box below. For more hardware-related tips, stay connected to TechCult.