If you encounter the “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43)” error in Windows Device Manager, we will tell you a few possible ways to fix it and get your device working again. This error may occur on NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon video cards, USB devices, thumb drives, keyboards, mice, etc., and wireless adapters.
Fixing the “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” error
Most of the instructions on fixing the error in question boil down to checking the device drivers and ensuring the hardware is working correctly. However, if you have 10, 8, or 8.1, you should check the following simple solution first because it is often helpful for some hardware.
Reboot your computer (do a reboot, not a shutdown, and power it on) and check to see if the error is still present. If it is absent in Device Manager and everything is working correctly, but the error appears again at the next shutdown and power-on, try disabling the Fast Startup feature on Windows 10/8. After that, the “Windows has stopped this device” error will no longer appear.
If this option cannot Fix Code 43 Error, try to use the methods described below.
Correct update or installation of drivers
If this error has not occurred before and Windows has not been reinstalled, you should open the device properties in Device Manager, click on the “Drivers” tab, and check if the “Roll back” button is active there. If it is, try to use it because an automatic driver update may be the cause of the “Device was stopped” error.
Now let’s talk about the update and installation. It is worth noting that clicking “Update driver” in Device Manager is not updating the driver but checks the availability of other drivers in Windows and the Update Center. If you’ve done this before and there was a notification saying that the most appropriate drivers for this device are already installed, it doesn’t mean they were really installed. The correct way to update/install the driver is the following:
- Download the original driver from the device manufacturer’s website. If the error is related to the video card, visit the AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel website. If the error is associated with some laptop device (even a video card), go to the laptop manufacturer’s website. The driver for some built-in PC devices can be found on the motherboard manufacturer’s website.
- Even if you have Windows 10 installed and the official website only has a driver for Windows 7 or 8, download it.
- Remove the device with the error in Device Manager (right-click — “Delete”). If the uninstall dialog box allows you to uninstall driver packages, uninstall them too.
- Install the previously downloaded device driver.
If the error code 43 appeared for the video card, a complete preliminary removal of the video card drivers might also help.
The following method may also work for some devices you cannot find the original driver for if there is more than one standard driver in Windows:
- In Device Manager, right-click on the device and select “Update Driver.”
- Select “Search for drivers on this computer.”
- Click “Select a driver from the list of available drivers on your computer.”
- If more than one driver appears in the list of compatible drivers, select the one not currently installed and click “Next.”
Checking the device connection
If you have recently connected a device, disassembled a computer or laptop, or changed the connectors, then it is worth checking whether everything is connected correctly when the error occurs:
- Check if the additional power source is connected to the video card;
- If it is a USB device, it may be connected to a USB 3.0 socket, but it may work properly only on a USB 2.0 socket (this happens despite the backward compatibility of standards);
- If the device is plugged into any of the slots on the motherboard, try disconnecting it, cleaning the pins with an eraser, and plugging it back in tightly.
Checking the hardware functionality of the device
“Error 43” may appear because of mechanical damage to the connection port on the motherboard, the connector of the device to be connected, or the cable used to connect it. Mechanical damage to a connection port may occur due to improper installation, disassembly of the equipment, or mechanical wear and tear. It shows itself visually as a defect in the contact pair or contact tracks at the connection spot of the device.
You should perform a visual check of the connection plug.
Suppose you see problematic areas, such as bent or broken contact tracks, cracks in the сomposite epoxy material, etc. In that case, you should reconnect the device to another non-defective connector on the motherboard. You may also manually repair the faulty contact using tweezers or a thin needle. Still, we recommend you contact a service center if you are unsure of your abilities and don’t understand the repair process.
The lack of contact on one element of the connection can cause errors in the device’s correct operation and the occurrence of “Error 43”.
Things are a little more complicated if these problems occur on the connected device. You must contact an appropriate service center to repair the defective equipment or take advantage of the equipment warranty.
Lack of power to a USB port
The “Error 43” may also be caused by a lack of power to the device connected to the USB port of the computer. Any device connected via USB needs the energy to work correctly. If you use USB 2.0, the maximum power consumption of the device is 0.5 A at 5 V, whereas, with USB 3.0, the maximum current is increased to 0.9 A at the same voltage.
It is worth noting that extension cords or adapters may often cause a similar lack of voltage problem. When using an extended or low-quality splitter, the computer can not correctly read the connected device’s information, or the USB port’s power supply can fade on long cables.
First, unplug all extension cords and splitters from the device connection scheme and reconnect the device directly to the USB connector of the computer’s motherboard. Remember that some devices require USB 3.0 by default and do not work correctly in USB 1.0-1.1 and 2.0 sockets due to the lack of power supply to the connector.
The Power Save Mode and exiting that mode may be another possible malfunction vector. Power Save Mode is enabled for all USB devices by default in Windows settings. Due to the specifics of the operating system and its power-consuming elements, the developers decided to limit the power to all peripheral devices after a period of inactivity to reduce the overall power consumption of the computer.
- Go to Device Manager and open the properties of the USB device.
- Go to the “Power Management” tab.
- Uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checkbox.
This add-on works only for the specific device, and if you want to prohibit power limitation for several devices, you should repeat these actions.
The Windows Registry settings error
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that contains all the operating system settings and parameters. It has all the information and settings for hardware and software, user profiles, OS presets, file associations, system policies, lists of installed software, etc.
Special programs for Registry optimization, such as Reg Organizer or Ccleaner, can remove unnecessary entries safely and optimize the Windows Registry. Be sure to create registry backups before you start the cleaning and optimization process. They do not take up much space and help you restore your operating system in emergency cases.
Damaged OS system files
Damaged OS system files may be another reason for the “Error 43”. This mostly happens when the OS installs large update packages, and an error occurs, affecting the operation of the device drivers and the entire OS. First, you should check the integrity of the OS system files:
- To do this, run Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command in Command Prompt: sfc /scannow
- You will see a message that system scanning has started.
- The system file integrity will be checked.
- You will see the result when the scan is finished.
If no file integrity errors are detected, but the “Error 43” persists, you can use the System Restore utility:
- Open Control Panel.
- Launch the “Restore” shortcut.
- Click on “Run System Restore.”
- You will see the “Restore system files and settings” tool.
- Choose a restore point date and click “Next.”
- The OS restore process will be launched.
- The utility will warn you that the process is irreversible and cannot be stopped. Agree and wait for the recovery process to finish.
If the “Restore system files and settings” tool reports the “System protection is disabled” error, this restore method is unsuitable for you.
Additional causes of the error
Additional causes of “Windows has stopped this device” and “This device has been stopped” errors include:
- Connecting multiple devices through a single USB hub or joining more than a certain number of USB devices to a single USB bus on a computer or laptop;
- Problems with power management of the USB device. Uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checkbox as it was described above for “USB Root Hubs,” “Generic USB Hub,” and similar devices (you can find them under “USB controllers”);
- If the problem is related to the USB device (keep in mind that many internal laptop devices, such as a Bluetooth adapter, are also connected via USB), go to Control Panel — Power Supply — Power Scheme Settings — Additional power scheme settings and disable the “USB port temporary shutdown option” under “USB options.”