Which tool can be used to quickly determine if a device has a bad device driver?

Error code

Error description

Suggested resolution

Code 1

Device is not configured properly

To resolve the problem, follow the instructions in the Device Status box.

In addition, you might be able to resolve this issue by removing the device in Device Manager, and adding the device through Control Panel.

Code 2

Depending on which device is failing, you might see one of two different messages. This code indicates that the device loader (DevLoader) did not load a device. When this device is a Root Bus DevLoader (for example, ISAPNP, PCI, or BIOS), the following message is displayed: Windows could not load the driver for this device because the computer is reporting two <type> bus types. (Code 2)

When the device is not root bus DevLoader, the following message is displayed: The <type> device loader(s) for this device could not load the device driver. (Code 2)

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 3

The driver for this device might be corrupted, or your system might be running low on memory or other resources

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Restarting the computer or deleting large files from the hard drive might also resolve this issue.

Code 4

INF file for this device is incorrect or the registry is corrupt. For example, the .inf file specifies a field that should be text, but is binary instead.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.

Code 5

Device failure due to lack of an arbitrator.

To resolve this error code, update the driver as suggested.

If you continue to receive this error code, try removing the device from Device Manager and restartng the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 6

Conflict between this device and another device.

Click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.

Code 7

No configuration can be performed on the device.

If the device works correctly, you do not need to perform any steps to correct the code.

If the device does not work correctly, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, try updating the driver.

Code 8

Device loader (DevLoader) for a device could not be found. For example, the .inf file for the device might refer to a missing or invalid file.

For most cases, the resolution is to reinstall or update the driver.

As an alternative, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, contact the hardware manufacturer about updated drivers.

Code 8

If the device loader (DevLoader) is a system DevLoader, the following text is displayed: This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the file <name> that loads the drivers for the device.

To fix this problem, perform a system recovery.

Code 9

Information in the registry for this device is invalid.

It might be possible to resolve this error by using Device Manager to remove the device, then reinstall the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, contact the hardware manufacturer for the proper registry settings.

Code 10

The device cannot start (for example, it is missing or is not working properly). This message can vary greatly because the text for this message can come from the driver.

To resolve this error code, make sure the device is attached to the computer correctly. For example, make sure all cables are connected firmly and that all adapter cards are inserted into their slots fully.

Follow the suggested solution button and update the device driver. It might be possible to remove the device and re-detect it automatically.

Error code

Error description

Suggested resolution

Code 11

Device failure.

Try updating the driver.

Try removing and reinstalling the device

Make sure the device is compatible with this version of Windows.

Code 12

This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. If you want to use this device, you will need to disable one of the other devices on this system.

To resolve this error code, disable or remove one of the devices that is involved.

Click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings, or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.

Code 13

Device failed due to a problem with the device driver.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 14

This device cannot work properly until you restart your computer.

Restart the computer.

Code 15

Device resources are conflicting with another device resources.

To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings, or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.

Code 16

Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses.

To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.

Update the driver, if available.

Code 17

Hardware is a multiple-function device and the .inf file for the device is providing invalid information on how to split the device resources to the child devices.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, please contact the hardware manufacturer about updated driver or installation files.

Code 18

Reinstall the drivers for this device.

To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution.

If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 19

Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged.

To fix this problem you can first try running a Troubleshooting Wizard.

If that does not work, you should uninstall, then reinstall the hardware device.

Next, try following the recommended solution, which will run Scanreg.exe.

If this does not resolve the issue, type scanreg/restore from a command prompt.

Code 20

VxD Loader (Vxdldr) returned an unknown result. For example, there could be a version mismatch between the device driver and the operating system.

To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution.

If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and install the device again.

Error Code

Error description

Suggested resolution

Code 21

Windows is removing this device.

Windows is in the process of uninstalling the driver for this device. Restart the computer.

If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer again to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 22

This device is disabled.

To resolve this error code, enable the device. To do so, right-click the device name in Device Manager, then select Enable, and restart the computer.

If this does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 23

The device loader delayed the start of a device, then failed to inform Windows when it was ready to start the device.

To resolve this error code, verify the settings for the primary display adapter in Display properties.

Try removing the primary and secondary display adapters from Device Manager, then restarting the computer.

Verify that the drivers are current and installed correctly.

For devices other than display adapters, follow the recommended solution.

If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer.

Code 24

Device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.

To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solutions.

If the device still does not work, make sure that the device is connected to your computer correctly. For example, make sure that all cables are correctly installed, or that the adapter cards are properly seated in their slots.

Code 25

This problem typically exists only during the first and second boots after Windows Setup copies all the files.

If this code is identified, it is likely an incomplete installation.

To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution.

Performing a system recovery might be required.

Code 26

A device did not load correctly. There might be a problem in the device driver or not all the drivers were installed.

To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solution.

If this does not work, use Device Manager to remove the device, then restart the computer.

If you continue to receive this error code, try updating the driver.

Code 27

The portion of the registry describing possible resources for a device does not contain valid entries. For example, the device is marked as configurable, but the configuration information in the .inf file is set to hardwired.

To resolve this error code, use Device Manager to remove the device, then restart the computer.

If the device still does not work, try updating the driver.

Code 28

The drivers for this device are not installed.

To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution. If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer.

You need to obtain drivers if the error continues to occur.

Code 29

This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources.

Update the driver for the device.

If the error continues, the device might be incompatible with the version of Windows you are using, the device hardware might have failed, or the connection to the device might be bad.

Code 30

An IRQ cannot be shared.

There might be two hardware devices that are jumper set to the same IRQ. Update the hardware to Plug and Play compatible versions or correct the jumper settings.

Error code

Error description

Suggested resolution

Code 31

This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.

Update the driver for the device.

If the error continues, the device might be incompatible with the version of Windows you are using, the device hardware might have failed, or the connection to the device might be bad.

Code 32

A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. An alternate driver might be providing this functionality.

The start type for this driver is set to disabled in the registry.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Code 33

Windows cannot determine which resources are required for this device.

Is the device compatible with the version of Windows you are using? You might need to replace the device with a Plug and Play compatible device.

Code 34

Windows cannot determine the settings for this device.

Consult the documentation that came with this device and use the Resource tab to set the configuration.

To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.

Code 35

Your computer's system firmware does not include enough information to properly configure and use this device.

To use this device, contact your computer manufacturer to obtain a firmware or BIOS update.

Code 36

This device is requesting a PCI interrupt but is configured for an ISA interrupt (or vice versa).

Please use the computer's system setup program to reconfigure the interrupt for this device.

Code 37

Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.

Code 38

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory.

Restart the computer.

Update the driver if the error continues.

Code 39

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver might be corrupted or missing.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.

Code 40

Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly.

Try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.

Perform a system recovery to recover the registry if the error persists.

Error code

Error description

Suggested resolution

Code 41

Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device.

Do the following:

1. Remove the device name from Device Manager and shut down the computer.

2. Remove the device from the computer, then reconnect it to make sure the connection is good.

3. Turn on the computer.

If the error continues, make sure the device is compatible with the version of Windows being used.

Code 42

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because there is a duplicate device already running in the system.

Restart the computer.

If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem. If you have two devices of the same type and manufacturer, remove one of them from the computer.

Code 43

Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems.

Restart the computer.

If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem. Run HP Diagnostics to test for bad hardware.

Code 44

An application or service has shut down this hardware device.

Restart the computer.

If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem.

Code 45

Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer.

This error code requires no action.

Code 46

Windows cannot gain access to this hardware device because the operating system is in the process of shutting down.

This error code requires no action.

Code 47

Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for safe removal, but it has not been removed from the computer.

Unplug the device from the computer, then plug it back in.

Restart the computer to reactivate the device.

Code 48

The software for this device has been blocked from starting because it is known to have problems with Windows.

Contact the hardware vendor for a new driver.

Update the driver or replace the device with compatible hardware.

Code 49

Windows cannot start new hardware devices because the system hive is too large (exceeds the Registry Size Limit).

Resolve this error by using the Device Manager to uninstall any unwanted or unused devices, then restart the computer.

You might need to perform a system recovery to restore the registry.

Code 52

Windows cannot verify the digital signature of the drivers for this device.

To fix this problem you can first try running a Troubleshooting Wizard.

Update the driver for the device.

How will you identify that there are missing drivers and not properly configured in your computer system?

How does the Device Manager helps in troubleshooting faulty hardware?

How can I see other devices in Device Manager?

When there is an issue with a device which of the following is indicated by a blue question mark inside white circle?