“This device cannot start” (Code 10): how to fix it

Updated Sep 17, 2026

“This device cannot start. (Code 10)” means Windows loaded a driver for the device, but the driver could not start it. Unlike missing-driver errors, the device is recognised — something goes wrong during initialisation: an incompatible or corrupted driver, a device that does not respond, or a conflict with another driver.

1. Read the device details

In Device Manager open the device’s Properties. Note:

• On the General tab — the full status text. Sometimes Windows adds a reason, e.g. {Operation Failed} The requested operation was unsuccessful.
• On the Driver tab — the driver provider, date and version. A driver dated many years before your Windows version is a strong hint.
• On Details → Hardware Ids — the ID you will need to find the correct driver (how to find it).
• On the Events tab — the time the problem started, which helps to match it to an update.

2. Restart and reconnect

For external devices, unplug them, restart Windows and plug them into a different port. For internal devices, do a full shutdown (hold Shift while clicking Shut down), disconnect the power for 30 seconds and start again.

3. Roll back or reinstall the driver

1. If the error appeared after an update: Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
2. Otherwise: right-click the device → Uninstall device, tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device (Windows 10: Delete the driver software for this device), confirm and restart.
3. Check whether Windows installed a working driver after the restart before installing anything else.

4. Install the right driver by hardware ID

Code 10 very often comes from a driver made for a similar but different chip, or for an older Windows version. Search by the hardware ID and pick a driver that lists your ID and supports your Windows version and architecture (64-bit on almost all current PCs).

Drivers written only for Windows XP or Vista rarely work on Windows 10 or 11. On Windows 11, also check Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation → Memory integrity: if it lists incompatible drivers, the device needs a newer driver rather than disabling the protection.

Devices that most often show Code 10 after a Windows upgrade are USB-to-serial adapters, Wi-Fi and network adapters and audio devices:

5. Check Windows Update and optional drivers

Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates. Under Driver updates Windows lists drivers from hardware makers that are not installed automatically. Install the one for your device and restart.

6. Remove broken filter drivers (advanced)

Some programs (CD burning, virtual drives, old antivirus, audio enhancers) install filter drivers that attach to a whole device class. If such a program was removed incorrectly, every device in that class can fail with Code 10.

1. Uninstall recently installed utilities related to the failing device type and restart.
2. If that does not help and you are comfortable with the registry: create a restore point, then in regedit go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class, find the class key whose Class value matches your device type, export the key as a backup, and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values only if they reference software you no longer have. Restart afterwards.

7. Rule out the hardware

Try the device in another computer or another port/slot. If it fails with Code 10 everywhere — or the computer’s BIOS/UEFI does not detect it either — the device is most likely defective.

Related guides

• Find your hardware ID
• Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)
• Code 43: device reported problems
• SM Bus Controller driver
• PCI Simple Communications Controller
• PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller
• Base System Device driver
• PCI Device driver missing