Fix: "This device cannot start" Code 10 error in Device Manager in Windows

A Code 10 error is generated in Device Manager in one of the following situations:

• Device Manager can't start the device.
• One of the drivers that the device needs does not start.
• Device Manager has insufficient information to recognize the error that is bubbled up by the device driver.
  
  Note In this situation, the Code 10 error can be a very generic message that indicates some kind of unspecified driver or device problem.

Try any of the following common resolutions to resolve the problem:

Update the drivers for this device

To do this, follow these steps:

1. In Device Manager, click the Driver tab in the device's Properties dialog box.
2. Click Update Driver to start the Hardware Update Wizard.
3. Follow the instructions to update the driver.

Note You may be prompted to provide the path of the driver. Windows may have the driver built-in, or the driver files may still be installed from the last time that you set up the device. If you are asked for the driver and you do not have it, you can try to download the latest driver from the hardware vendor's website.

Run an automated troubleshooting service

Run the Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows�troubleshooter from the Microsoft Support website.�

Additional troubleshooter for USB devices

If you encounter the Code 10 error on devices connected by using a USB port, you may also try the Diagnose and fix Windows USB problems automatically troubleshooter.

Note This troubleshooter currently does not apply to Windows 8.

Contact the hardware vendor's technical support

Contact the hardware device vendor's technical support for further assistance.

The Code 10 error is mainly related to hardware and device driver issues or to compatibility issues between hardware drivers and additional software that is installed in Windows. Therefore, we recommend that you troubleshoot these issues by focusing on device drivers, on device configuration issues, and on hardware compatibility issues.

Incompatible, outdated, or corrupted device drivers

If you suspect that the Code 10 error is related to incompatible, outdated, or corrupted device drivers, try the following troubleshooting methods.

Update device driver from Windows Update

Update the hardware's device driver through Windows Update.

Updated device driver from vendor's website

Update the device drivers from the vendor's website. Follow their installation or update instructions.

• If the device was preinstalled on the computer, visit the computer manufacturer's website.
• If the device was installed after the purchase of the computer, visit the device manufacturer's website.
• If the device was preinstalled on the computer, and the computer manufacturer does not have an updated driver for the device, visit the device manufacturer's website.

Note Make sure that the device drivers that are being installed are compatible with your current Windows version and platform.

Software and operating system updates

If you suspect that the Code 10 error is related to missing software updates and service packs, try the following troubleshooting methods:

• Use Windows Update to install the latest updates for Windows.
  For more information about how to obtain the latest Windows service pack, go to the Service Pack and Update Center.
• Install the updates that are specific to the computer or to the device. To do this, we recommend that you visit the computer manufacturer's website or the device manufacturer's website.

Additional methods for Windows XP

If you are running Windows XP, review the following articles to determine whether it applies to your situation:

Device configuration issues

If you suspect that the Code 10 error is related to device configuration issues, try the following method:

Manually fix corrupted registry entries

Note To use this method, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator.
Important Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

This problem may be caused by two Windows registry entries that have become corrupted. To use Registry Editor to delete the corrupted Registry entries, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit in the Run dialog box, then press Enter. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
3. In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\
   
   You should see a long list of registry subkeys that resemble:
   {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
   
   Note Each 32-digit subkey is unique and corresponds to a particular type, or class, of hardware in Device Manager.
4. Find the correct class GUID corresponding to the type of the hardware device that you're seeing the Device Manager error code for.
   
   How to determine the correct class GUID for the hardware device
   
   Use the following table to find the correct class GUID for the hardware device:

   Class	GUID	Device Description
   CDROM	4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives
   DiskDrive	4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Hard drives
   Display	4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Video adapters
   FDC	4D36E969-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Floppy controllers
   FloppyDisk	4D36E980-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Floppy drives
   HDC	4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Hard drive controllers
   HIDClass	745A17A0-74D3-11D0-B6FE-00A0C90F57DA	Some USB devices
   1394	6BDD1FC1-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F	IEEE 1394 host controller
   Image	6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F	Cameras and scanners
   Keyboard	4D36E96B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Keyboards
   Modem	4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Modems
   Mouse	4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Mice and pointing devices
   Media	4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Audio and video devices
   Net	4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Network adapters
   Ports	4D36E978-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	Serial and parallel ports
   SCSIAdapter	4D36E97B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	SCSI and RAID controllers
   System	4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318	System buses, bridges, etc.
   USB	36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000	USB host controllers and hubs

   Note This is not a complete list of device class GUIDs. Several less common system defined device classes do not exist. Devices can generate unique classes based on various variables, that makes it impossible to list them all.
   
   For example, if your DVD drive is showing a Code 10 error in Device Manager. According to the list above, the GUID for CD/DVD devices is 4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318. When you know this GUID, you can continue to the next step.
5. Click the registry subkey corresponding to the device's Class GUID that you determined in the last step.
6. In the right pane, click UpperFilters.
   
   Note You may also see an UpperFilters.bak registry entry. You do not have to remove that entry. Click UpperFilters only.
   If you do not see the UpperFilters registry entry, you still might have to remove the LowerFilters registry entry. To do this, go to step 9.
7. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
8. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
9. In the right pane, click LowerFilters.
   Note If you do not see the LowerFilters or UpperFilters registry entry, this method is not for you.
10. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
11. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
12. Exit Registry Editor.
13. Restart the computer.

Hardware compatibility issues

Another possibility is that the device was not designed to work with the particular version of Windows that you are using. You can use the Windows Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), to determine whether the device is listed as compatible with your current version of Windows.