Seeing SM Bus Controller with a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager? Or is SM Bus Controller missing a driver on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC?
This usually means Windows isn’t properly recognizing or configuring the System Management Bus (SMBus) controller. In many cases, installing or updating the correct chipset driver can resolve the problem. In this guide, we’ll introduce how to update the chipset drivers to fix your SM Bus Controller driver issue, step by step.
- Download chipset drivers automatically with Driver Easy
- Download the chipset drivers manually
- Check for Windows Update
Method 1: Download chipset drivers automatically with Driver Easy
The SM Bus Controller is part of the motherboard’s chipset, so installing the appropriate chipset driver is one of the most effective ways to resolve driver-related issues. While the process seems straightforward, it can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with it.
If you don’t want to identify your motherboard, find the correct chipset package, and install it manually, Driver Easy can do the work for you.
Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct chipset driver for it. You don’t need to search through multiple manufacturer support pages or figure out which driver package is right for your hardware.
- Download and install Driver Easy.
- Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problematic drivers.
- If SM Bus Controller is flagged, click Activate & Update to update its driver. You can also click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all missing or outdated drivers on your system. This will prompt you to start a 7-day free trial or upgrade to the Pro version. Either option will download and install the latest drivers automatically for you.
Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problematic drivers.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com.
Method 2: Download the chipset drivers manually
If you’d rather install the chipset driver yourself, you can download it from your computer or motherboard manufacturer. They may provide chipset packages specifically designed for your model. Simply go to its official support website and download the chipset package for your model and Windows version.
You can also download chipset drivers directly from Intel or AMD if you’re using an Intel- or AMD-based system. Here’s how:
Not sure whether you’re using an Intel or AMD chipset?
You could easily check it out via Task Manager. Here’s a quick rundown:
- On your keyboard, press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc at the same time to bring up Task Manager.
- Go to the Performance tab, then under the CPU section, you’ll see the processor’s name — either “Intel” or “AMD.”
If you’re on Intel:
- Go to the Intel Downloads Center.
- In Intel’s Download Center, click Chipset from the Select Your Product section.
- Locate Chipset INF Utility and click View Details.
- Click Download, then install the utility by following the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Intel’s Chipset Device Software primarily installs INF files that help Windows identify chipset components correctly. It isn’t a traditional device driver in the same sense as a graphics or Wi-Fi driver.
If you’re on AMD:
- Go to AMD’s driver download page.
- Click Resources & Support > Drivers.
- Under the Browse for your product section, select Chipsets as the product category. Then choose any option from the Product Family list (e.g., AM4, AM5, etc.) and press Enter—they all lead to the same driver package.
- Download the latest Chipset Drivers and run the installer.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Method 3. Check for Windows Update
Windows Update may also provide a compatible chipset or system driver for your computer.
- On your keyboard, press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart your computer.
If you’re on Windows 10, press Windows + I to open Settings. Then, go to Update & Security > Windows Update, and click Check for updates.
Then check Device Manager again to see whether the SM Bus Controller warning has disappeared.
Still getting the SM Bus Controller driver issue?
If the SM Bus Controller still has a warning icon after you’ve installed the appropriate chipset driver, the problem may not be a simple missing-driver issue. Right-click the SM Bus Controller in Device Manager, select Properties, and check the Device status. If it displays an error code, you can check our more specific troubleshooting guide, such as fixes for Code 28 error.
If the SM Bus Controller still has a warning icon after you’ve installed the appropriate chipset driver, the problem may not be a simple missing-driver issue. You may also need to check for BIOS/UEFI updates or investigate other hardware and system issues.
That’s all for this guide to SM Bus Controller driver issues. If the problem persists after trying the fixes above, feel free to leave a comment below. Please include as much detail as possible, such as the symptoms you’re experiencing, any error code or message, and what you’ve already tried. This will help us better understand the problem and suggest more effective solutions.