How to Fix Incompatible Apps Drivers and Peripherals on Snapdragon X Windows Laptops

Snapdragon X laptops run Windows on ARM, which means some x86 apps, drivers, and peripherals won’t work out of the box. This guide walks you through identifying what’s incompatible, finding ARM-native or emulated alternatives, and getting your devices functioning again.

What You’ll Need

• Your Snapdragon X laptop with Windows 11 (ARM version) installed
• Administrator access to install drivers and change system settings
• An internet connection for downloading updates and drivers
• Patience – some fixes require multiple attempts

Step-by-Step

1. Check if the app is ARM-native or emulated. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the “Processes” tab, and look for the “Architecture” column (if not visible, right-click the column headers and select “Architecture”). Apps marked “ARM64” are native; “x86” or “x64” are running under emulation. Emulated apps generally work, but some may be unstable.
2. Update Windows fully. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install all pending updates, including optional updates under “Advanced options > Optional updates.” Microsoft regularly improves the emulation layer and adds driver support through these updates.
3. Try the built-in compatibility troubleshooter. Right-click the app’s shortcut or .exe file, select “Properties,” go to the “Compatibility” tab, and click “Run compatibility troubleshooter.” Follow the prompts. This can sometimes resolve issues with older x86 apps.
4. Reinstall the app as ARM64 if available. Many popular apps now offer ARM-native versions. Check the app’s official website or the Microsoft Store for an ARM64 download. Uninstall the x86 version first, then install the ARM64 one.
5. For drivers, use Windows Update. Plug in the peripheral (printer, webcam, USB device) and go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. Install any listed drivers. If none appear, try a different USB port or a powered hub.
6. Download drivers from the manufacturer’s ARM64 section. Go to the device manufacturer’s support site and search for “Windows on ARM” or “ARM64” drivers. If they don’t exist, the device may not be supported on Snapdragon X – check for a firmware update for the device itself.
7. Use the Microsoft Store for peripherals. Many manufacturers publish companion apps (e.g., for mice, keyboards, headsets) in the Microsoft Store that are ARM-native. Search for the brand and install the app from there.
8. Enable emulation for x64 apps (if not already). Windows 11 on Snapdragon X supports x64 emulation by default. If an x64 app fails, go to Settings > Apps > Optional features and ensure “Windows Subsystem for Linux” is not interfering – but for most, just check that the app’s installer is not blocked by SmartScreen. Right-click the installer and select “Run as administrator.”
9. Use a virtual machine for stubborn apps. If an app simply won’t run, consider using a free VM like VirtualBox (ARM version) with Windows 11 ARM guest, or use cloud PC services. This is a last resort but can work for legacy software.
10. For peripherals with no drivers, try generic drivers. In Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager), find the device with a yellow warning, right-click it, select “Update driver,” then “Browse my computer for drivers,” then “Let me pick from a list,” and choose “USB Input Device” or “HID-compliant device” as a generic fallback.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming all x86 apps are broken – most work fine under emulation; only some with kernel-level drivers or DRM fail.
• Downloading x64 drivers from manufacturer sites that don’t support ARM – always look for “ARM64” or “Windows on ARM.”
• Skipping Windows updates – these often contain critical emulation and driver fixes.
• Forgetting to check the Microsoft Store – many apps there are ARM-native even if the website only offers x86.
• Using the wrong architecture – installing an ARM64 driver on an x86 emulated app won’t help; match the driver to the OS, not the app.

Tips

• Bookmark the official Windows on ARM compatibility list (Microsoft maintains one) to check app status before installing.
• For printers, use the built-in Windows driver via “Add a printer” – often no manufacturer driver is needed.
• If a USB device isn’t recognized, try a USB-C hub with power delivery – some devices draw too much power from a single port.
• Keep a list of your essential apps and check their ARM support status quarterly – the ecosystem is improving fast.
• Use the “Repair” and “Reset” options in Settings > Apps > Installed apps for a problematic app before uninstalling.

Troubleshooting

App still won’t launch after emulation. Check if the app requires a specific Visual C++ Redistributable – install the ARM64 version from Microsoft’s website. Also, try running the app as administrator.

Peripheral works but is slow or glitchy. Update the device’s firmware via its manufacturer’s app (if available for ARM). If not, try a different USB port – some ports may not provide enough power.

Driver installation fails with “This driver is not compatible.” The driver is likely x86/x64 only. Uninstall it and search for an ARM64 version. If none exists, the device is not supported on Snapdragon X – consider a different model.

Blue screen or system crash during driver install. Boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > press 4). Uninstall the problematic driver from Device Manager, then reboot normally.

Emulation is very slow. Some apps are simply too heavy for emulation. Try disabling hardware acceleration in the app’s settings, or switch to a lighter alternative app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will all x86 apps work on Snapdragon X?
A: Most x86 and x64 apps work under emulation, but apps with kernel-level drivers (like some antivirus, VPNs, or hardware utilities) may not. Check the manufacturer’s support for ARM64 versions.

Q: Can I install Intel or AMD drivers on Snapdragon X?
A: No. Those drivers are compiled for x86/x64 and won’t install. You need ARM64 drivers specifically designed for Windows on ARM.

Q: How do I know if an app is ARM-native?
A: Open Task Manager and look at the Architecture column. You can also check the app’s website or the Microsoft Store – ARM-native apps are often labeled “ARM64” or “For Windows on ARM.”

Q: My USB printer isn’t recognized. What should I do?
A: First, try Windows Update’s optional driver updates. If that fails, use the built-in Microsoft printer driver by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. If the printer has a network connection, add it via IP address.

Q: Can I use a virtual machine to run x86 apps?
A: Yes, you can use VirtualBox (ARM version) with a Windows 11 ARM guest, but x86 emulation inside the VM will be very slow. A better option is to use a cloud PC or a remote desktop to an x86 machine.

Q: Will Microsoft ever make all apps compatible?
A: Over time, more apps are being compiled natively for ARM64, and the emulation layer is improving. However, some legacy hardware and software may never be supported. Check the official Windows on ARM compatibility list for updates.

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