A computer driver is a piece of software that allows hardware to work with operating systems and applications. Each driver is specific to the piece of hardware that it works with.
Operating systems and application programs are constantly being updated and patched. As a result, the driver that worked with an older version of an OS or program might not work correctly or smoothly any more.
To keep your computer working smoothly, it is best to occasionally make sure that your device drivers are up-to-date. A good site for that task is http://www.driverguide.com. At that site, you can scan your PC to see if it has the most up-to-date drivers for your hardware and then download any updates you need. The site also has firmware update and technical documentation available.