How to Fix This Device Cannot Start Code 10 Error on Windows

Last Updated - June 15, 2025 07:51 am IST | Dhiraj Singh

You’re not alone if you’ve encountered the dreaded ‘This device cannot start (Code 10)’ error on your Windows computer. It’s a common issue that usually means something is wrong with a device driver or a hardware component. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll break down what this error means, why it happens, and, most importantly, how to fix This Device Cannot Start Code 10.

What is the ‘This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)’ Error?

The Code 10 error is a generic message that appears in the Device Manager when Windows can’t properly communicate with a device. It usually happens when the device driver is outdated, corrupted, incompatible, or missing. This error commonly affects USB devices, network adapters, sound cards, and other hardware components.

Where Can You See the Code 10 Error?

To check if a device is affected by this error, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the device that’s not working (it may have a yellow exclamation mark).
3. Right-click the device and choose Properties.
4. Under the General tab, look at the Device status box. If you see the message ‘This device cannot start. (Code 10)’, then the issue is confirmed.

Now that we know what the error is, let’s move on to fixing it!

How to Fix ‘This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)’ Error

1. Restart Your Computer

Before diving into technical solutions, try the simplest fix: Restart your PC. Sometimes, a quick reboot can resolve temporary glitches.

2. Update the Device Driver

Since outdated or corrupted drivers are the most common cause of the Code 10 error, updating them can often resolve the issue.

How to Update a Driver Manually

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Locate the device with the error.
3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If Windows finds an update, install it and restart your computer.

How to Update a Driver Manually (If Windows Can’t Find One)

1. Visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, NVIDIA, Realtek, etc.).
2. Find the latest driver for your device and download it.
3. Open Device Manager, right-click on the device, and choose Update driver.
4. Select Browse my computer for drivers and choose the downloaded file.
5. Install and restart your PC.

3. Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver

If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the problematic device and select Uninstall device.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Windows should automatically reinstall the necessary drivers. If it doesn’t, download and install them manually.

4. Roll Back the Driver

Sometimes, a new driver update can cause issues. Rolling back to the previous version might help if the error started after an update.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the device and choose Properties.
3. Navigate to the Driver tab.
4. Click Roll Back Driver (if available) and follow the prompts.
5. Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Outdated Windows versions may not support certain drivers or hardware configurations. Updating Windows could help fix the problem.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
4. Restart your computer.

6. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooting tools that can automatically detect and fix issues.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
3. Click Additional troubleshooters.
4. Select the device category (e.g., Bluetooth, Audio, Network) and click Run the troubleshooter.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

7. Check for Hardware Issues

If none of the software fixes work, the problem might be with the hardware itself. Here’s what to do:

• Try using the device on another computer to check if it works.
• Try a different USB port (if the issue is with a USB device).
• Inspect the device for physical damage.
• Replace the device if it’s faulty.

8. Modify the Windows Registry (Advanced Users Only)

If you’re comfortable making advanced changes, you can try modifying the Windows Registry to reset corrupted driver settings.

Warning: Be careful while editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system issues.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the following path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
3. In the right pane, look for UpperFilters and LowerFilters.
4. Right-click and delete them (if they exist).
5. Restart your computer.

Final Thoughts

The ‘This device cannot start (Code 10)’ error can be frustrating, but in most cases, it’s fixable with the right troubleshooting steps. Start with simple solutions like restarting your computer, updating drivers, and running the troubleshooter. If those don’t work, try more advanced methods like rolling back drivers, modifying the registry, or checking for hardware issues.

We hope this guide helped you fix your issue! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy troubleshooting! 🚀