How to fix "This device cannot start" (Code 10)

DeviceInBox editorial team · Last updated September 17, 2026

"This device cannot start. (Code 10)" means Windows found a driver for the device and loaded it, but the driver couldn't get the device running. That makes it different from missing-driver errors: Windows knows what the device is, and something goes wrong while it starts. Typical reasons are an incompatible or corrupted driver, a device that doesn't respond, or another driver getting in the way.

Device status box with the Code 10 message and an extra failure line — Read the line under the code: it often names the step that failed.

Look at the device details first

Open the device's Properties in Device Manager and note a few things:

The full status text on the General tab. Sometimes Windows adds a reason, such as "{Operation Failed} The requested operation was unsuccessful".
The driver provider, date and version on the Driver tab. A driver that predates your Windows version by many years is a strong hint.
The hardware ID on the Details tab. You will need it to find the right driver (how to find it).
The Events tab, which shows when the problem began. That helps you connect it to a specific update.

Events tab of a device showing when it stopped starting — The Events tab dates the problem.

Restart and reconnect

For an external device, unplug it, restart Windows and connect it to another port. For an internal one, do a full shutdown (hold Shift while clicking Shut down), unplug the power for 30 seconds and start again.

Roll back or reinstall the driver

If the error appeared after an update, open Properties, go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.
Otherwise, right-click the device, choose Uninstall device, tick "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" (Windows 10: "Delete the driver software for this device"), confirm and restart.
After the restart, check whether the driver Windows installed by itself works before you install anything else.

Order of fixes for Code 10: roll back, uninstall, restart, install by ID — In this order, because each step undoes less than the next.

Get the driver that matches the hardware ID

Very often Code 10 comes from a driver written for a similar but different chip, or for an older version of Windows. Search by hardware ID and choose a driver whose supported ID list includes yours and which fits your Windows version and architecture. Almost every current PC runs 64-bit Windows.

Drivers made only for Windows XP or Vista rarely work on Windows 10 or 11. On Windows 11, also open Windows Security, go to Device security and then Core isolation. If Memory integrity lists incompatible drivers, the device needs a newer driver; turning the protection off is not a good fix.

After a Windows upgrade, Code 10 shows up most often on USB-to-serial adapters, Wi-Fi and network adapters, and audio devices:

Hardware ID	Device	Drivers
USB\VID_067B&PID_2303	PL2303 Serial Port	9
USB\VID_1A86&PID_7523	HL-340 USB-Serial adapter	7
USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8179	RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless Network Adapter	12
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168	RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller	33
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24FD	Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265	15
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0036	QCA9565 / AR9565 Wireless Network Adapter	17

Check the optional driver updates

In Settings, open Windows Update, then Advanced options, then Optional updates. The Driver updates section lists drivers from hardware makers that Windows doesn't install automatically. Install the one for your device and restart.

Core isolation screen listing a driver that memory integrity blocked — A driver on the incompatible list never loads, and the device cannot start.

Remove leftover filter drivers (advanced)

Some programs, such as CD burning tools, virtual drive software, older antivirus products and audio enhancers, install filter drivers that attach to a whole class of devices. If such a program wasn't removed cleanly, every device in that class can fail with Code 10.

Uninstall utilities you recently added that relate to the failing device, then restart.
If that doesn't help and you are comfortable with the registry, create a restore point first. In regedit, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class and find the subkey whose Class value matches your device type. Export it as a backup, and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values only if they point to software you no longer have. Restart afterwards.

Windows Update advanced options with the Optional updates entry — Optional updates hold drivers Windows does not install by itself.

Rule out a hardware fault

Try the device in another port, slot or computer. If it fails with Code 10 everywhere, or the BIOS doesn't detect it either, the device is most likely defective.