Did one of your hardware devices stop working, and Device Manager shows the error “Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37)”? This usually means Windows couldn’t load the driver needed for the device to work properly. As a result, the hardware may stop responding, fail to function correctly, or appear with a yellow warning icon in Device Manager. Error Code 37 is most commonly caused by a corrupted or incompatible device driver, damaged system files, an incomplete Windows update, or a temporary communication problem between Windows and the hardware. In this guide, we’ll explain what Device Manager Error Code 37 means, what causes it, and 9 proven solutions to fix the error on Windows 11.
What Causes Device Manager Error Code 37?
According to Microsoft’s official guide, Device Manager Error Code 37 means Windows failed to initialize the driver for a hardware device, which prevents the device from working properly. This usually happens because the driver is corrupted, outdated, incompatible, or damaged.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Corrupted, outdated, or incompatible device drivers, especially after installing a Windows update or a new driver.
- Damaged Windows system files that prevent the driver from loading correctly.
- Incomplete or failed Windows updates that leave driver components in an inconsistent state.
- Third-party software conflicts, including antivirus programs or hardware management utilities that interfere with the driver.
- Corrupted registry entries associated with the affected device driver.
- A faulty hardware device or port can cause driver issues and initialization failures
Because Error Code 37 is usually caused by software rather than hardware failure, work through the troubleshooting steps below before considering replacing the device.
Before You Start
Before trying the solutions below, perform these quick checks. They only take a few minutes and may resolve Device Manager Error Code 37 without any advanced troubleshooting.
- Restart your computer: A simple restart can clear temporary driver or system glitches that prevent Windows from loading the device driver.
- Disconnect and reconnect the hardware device: If the error affects a USB device or other removable hardware, unplug it, wait a few seconds, then reconnect it. If possible, try a different USB port.
- Remove recently installed drivers or software: If the error started after installing a new driver, Windows Update, or hardware-related software, temporarily uninstall it to check if it’s causing the conflict.
- Check for pending Windows updates: Open Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates. Microsoft often releases driver compatibility and stability fixes through Windows Update.
If the error still appears after these checks, continue with the troubleshooting methods below.
Fix 1: Reinstall the Device Driver
A corrupted or incomplete driver installation is one of the most common causes of Device Manager Error Code 37. Let’s uninstall the current driver and let Windows reinstall it, which can often resolve the problem.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the category containing the affected device.
- Right-click the device showing Error Code 37 and select Uninstall device.
- If you see the Attempt to remove the driver for this device option, leave it unchecked unless you’re planning to install a newer driver manually.
- Click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- After Windows restarts, it will automatically detect the hardware and reinstall the required driver.
Once the installation is complete, open Device Manager and check whether the yellow warning icon has disappeared. If Error Code 37 is still displayed, continue with the next solution.
Fix 2: Install the Latest Device Driver
If reinstalling the driver didn’t fix Error Code 37, the current driver may be outdated, incompatible, or damaged. Installing the latest driver from the device manufacturer can often resolve the problem.
Option 1: Update the Driver Using Windows Update
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
- Select Advanced options > Optional updates.
- Expand the Driver updates section.
- Install any available driver updates for the affected device.
- Restart your computer after the installation completes.
Option 2: Download the Driver from the Manufacturer
If Windows Update doesn’t provide a newer driver, download it directly from the hardware manufacturer’s support website.
- Graphics cards: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel
- Motherboards and laptops: Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, MSI, and others
- Printers, Wi-Fi adapters, Bluetooth devices, and other peripherals: Visit the device manufacturer’s support page.
After downloading the correct driver for your Windows 11 version, run the installer and restart your computer.
Tip: Avoid downloading drivers from unofficial driver download websites. Always use Windows Update or the hardware manufacturer’s official support page to ensure compatibility and security.
After restarting, open Device Manager and check whether Error Code 37 has been resolved. If the error persists, move on to the next solution.
Fix 3: Roll Back the Device Driver
If Device Manager Error Code 37 started after updating a device driver, rolling back to the previous version may resolve the problem. This restores the last working driver without affecting your personal files.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Locate and right-click the affected device, then select Properties.
- Open the Driver tab.
- Click Roll Back Driver.
- Select a reason for rolling back, then click Yes.
- Restart your computer.
After restarting, check whether the device is working normally and verify that Error Code 37 no longer appears in Device Manager.
Note: If the Roll Back Driver button is grayed out, Windows doesn’t have a previous driver version saved. In that case, continue with the next troubleshooting method.
Fix 4: Repair Corrupted System Files Using SFC and DISM
If the device driver is intact but Windows system files are corrupted, Device Manager may fail to initialize the driver and display Error Code 37. Running the built-in System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair these files.
- Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
- Wait for the scan to complete. If SFC finds and repairs corrupted files, restart your computer and check whether the error is resolved.
- If Error Code 37 still appears, run the following DISM commands one at a time:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- After DISM finishes, restart your computer.
If the error persists after repairing Windows system files, continue with the next solution.
Fix 5: Delete Corrupted UpperFilters and LowerFilters Registry Entries
Some hardware devices use UpperFilters and LowerFilters registry entries to load additional driver components. If these entries become corrupted, Windows may fail to initialize the device correctly and display Device Manager Error Code 37.
Important: This is an advanced troubleshooting method. Before making any changes, create a System Restore point or back up the Windows Registry.
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class
- Under the Class key, open the folder that matches your affected device. Some of the most common Class GUIDs are:
| Device | Class GUID |
|---|---|
| Network Adapters | {4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} |
| Display Adapters (Graphics) | {4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} |
| Sound, Video and Game Controllers | {4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} |
| USB Controllers | {36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000} |
| Bluetooth | {E0CBF06C-CD8B-4647-BB8A-263B43F0F974} |
| Disk Drives (HDD/SSD) | {4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} |
Example: If your network adapter is showing Error Code 37, open this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
- In the right pane, look for UpperFilters and LowerFilters.
- If either value exists, right-click it and select Delete.
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
After Windows restarts, check Device Manager to see whether Error Code 37 has been resolved.
Note: If you don’t see UpperFilters or LowerFilters, don’t create new registry values or delete anything else. Simply close Registry Editor and continue with the next troubleshooting method.
Fix 6: Disable and Re-enable the Device
If Windows temporarily failed to initialize the device driver, disabling and then re-enabling the device can force Windows to reload the driver without reinstalling it. While this doesn’t fix corrupted drivers, it can resolve temporary issues with driver initialization.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the category containing the affected device.
- Right-click the device showing Error Code 37 and select Disable device.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Wait about 10 seconds.
- Right-click the device again and select Enable device.
- Restart your computer if prompted.
After restarting, check whether the device is working correctly and confirm that Error Code 37 no longer appears in Device Manager. If the error persists, proceed to the final troubleshooting step.
Fix 7: Check Whether the Hardware Is Faulty
If none of the previous solutions resolved Device Manager Error Code 37, the hardware itself may be defective. Although Code 37 is usually caused by driver or software issues, a failing device can also prevent Windows from initializing the driver.
To verify whether the hardware is the problem:
- Reconnect the device and make sure all cables are securely connected.
- Try a different USB port if the error affects a USB device.
- Test the hardware on another Windows computer. If the same Error Code 37 appears, the device is likely faulty.
- Test a known working device on your computer. If it works normally, the original hardware may have failed.
- Check the manufacturer’s support page for firmware updates or known compatibility issues with your device.
If the hardware doesn’t work on another computer or continues to display Error Code 37 after trying all the fixes above, you may need to repair or replace the device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Error Code 37 usually occurs when Windows cannot initialize the driver for a hardware device. The most common causes include corrupted or incompatible device drivers, damaged Windows system files, corrupted UpperFilters or LowerFilters registry entries, and, in some cases, faulty hardware.
Although it’s uncommon, a Windows update may install an incompatible driver that triggers Error Code 37. If the error appeared after updating a driver, rolling back to the previous version or installing the latest driver from the hardware manufacturer often resolves the issue.
Error Code 37 can affect almost any hardware device, including graphics cards, USB devices, Bluetooth adapters, network adapters, printers, sound cards, DVD/CD drives, and storage controllers.
In many cases, yes. Reinstalling the device driver removes corrupted driver files and allows Windows to install a fresh copy. If the problem persists, install the latest driver from the device manufacturer’s website.
Not necessarily. Error Code 37 is most often caused by software or driver problems rather than hardware failure. Only consider replacing the hardware after you’ve tried reinstalling the driver, repairing Windows system files, and performing the other troubleshooting steps in this guide.
