Fix “This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)” Error in Windows 11

This Device Cannot Start Code 10 error generally means that Windows was unable to properly communicate with one of your installed device Drivers. This problem mostly occurs if the driver is corrupted, outdated, or if there is a communication issue between the driver and the Plug and Play manager. Also some cases, the Device Cannot Start Code 10  error also pops up if the device manager doesn’t understand the error generated by the driver. But in all these cases hardware is not able to work properly. In this article, we’ll explain what the Code 10 error means, what causes it, and how to fix it effectively on Windows 11 systems.

What Is the Code 10 Error in Windows 11?

For the proper functioning of your Windows computer, it is very important that the individual hardware and software devices present on it work properly. If any of the devices fail to start/work or function, the user will start facing different error codes, and the device will stop working. And This Device Cannot Start Code 10 is one of them.

This Error occurs means:

• Device cannot start: The error, which appears in Device Manager, indicates that Windows was unable to initialize the hardware device.
• Driver issues: The most common cause is a faulty or corrupted device driver.
• Communication failure: It can also signify a failure in communication between the device driver and the Windows Plug and Play manager.

Restart your computer

A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or driver load failures that trigger the Code 10 error.

• Click the Start button.
• Select Power > Restart.
• After the system reboots, open Device Manager and check if the issue persists.

Sometimes, a simple restart can fix the issue. Try rebooting your computer to see if the error persists.

Try a Different USB Port or Test the Hardware

If you are getting This device cannot start. (code 10) error while plugging a USB device, then first make sure the USB device is not defective and connected properly. Also, try to connect the device to different USB ports available on your Desktop/Laptop. If possible, plug this USB device into another computer to check and make sure whether it’s working properly or not.

• Disconnect the device.
• Plug it into a different USB port.
  If possible, test the device on another computer.
• If it works elsewhere, the issue is with your Windows configuration or ports.

Update or Reinstall the Device Driver

Most Code 10 errors occur because of outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers. Updating or reinstalling ensures the device communicates correctly with Windows.

Steps to Update Driver:

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Locate the problematic device (marked with a yellow exclamation mark).
• Right-click it and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers.

If no update is found, visit the manufacturer’s official website and download the latest driver manually.

Steps to Reinstall Driver:

• In Device Manager, right-click the device.
• Select Uninstall device.
• Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically reinstall the correct driver.

Roll Back the Device Driver

Sometimes, a recent driver update may cause compatibility problems. Rolling back restores the previous stable version.

• Open Device Manager.
• Right-click the device and select Properties.
• Open the Driver tab.
• Click Roll Back Driver and follow on-screen instructions.
• Restart your PC after completion.

Disable USB Suspend Settings

A few Windows users report that after disabling the USB suspend setting on the power option, Fix This Device Cannot Start Code 10, and the attached device works normally. To do this

• Press Windows key + R, type Control Panel and click ok.
• Change the View by Small icon, then click on Power Options.
• Now click on Change plan settings below your selected power plan (it’s normally Balanced (recommended).
• Next, select Change Advanced Power Settings to open the  power options
• Expand USB Settings, set the USB selective suspend setting to Disabled.

Note: If you own the laptop, set the USB Suspend to Disable to both “On Battery” & “Plugged in”.

Click OK to apply changes, and restart your computer. Now attach the device and check it’s working properly.

Delete invalid or corrupted Registry entries

Some devices (like audio or USB drives) use registry filter drivers. If they become corrupted, they can block proper device startup, triggering the Code 10 error. If the above method failed to fix the This Device Cannot Start Code 10 error, try this registry tweak (Remove UpperFilters and LowerFilters Registry Values)

Press Windows key + R, type regedit and click ok to open the Windows registry editor,

Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000}

GUID for Different Devices

Run SFC and DISM to Repair System Files

Corrupted or missing system files can prevent Windows from properly communicating with hardware devices.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Type the sfc /scannow command and press Enter. Wait for the scan to finish.
• Next, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once both commands finish 100% scanning, restart your system and check if this helps fix This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)” on Windows 11.

Perform a System Restore

If the Code 10 error started after a Windows update or driver installation, restoring the system to an earlier point can fix it.

• Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter.
• Select Choose a different restore point → click Next.
• Select a restore point before the problem occurred.
• Follow the prompts to restore your system.
• After completion, check if the device works correctly.

If all software fixes fail, the device might be physically damaged. Testing it on another system confirms whether it’s a hardware issue.

FAQs – “This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)”

Q1: What causes the Code 10 error in Device Manager?
A: It’s usually caused by driver corruption, incompatible updates, or faulty hardware that prevents Windows from starting the device correctly.

Q2: Can Code 10 mean the hardware is dead?
A: Not always. Most Code 10 errors are software-related, but if all fixes fail, the hardware might indeed be defective.

Q3: How do I fix Code 10 for a USB device?
A: Try plugging it into another port, reinstalling USB drivers, or deleting UpperFilters and LowerFilters in the Registry.

Q4: Is the Code 10 error the same as Code 43?
A: No. Code 10 means the device failed to start, while Code 43 indicates Windows detected a hardware malfunction.

Q5: Will resetting Windows 11 fix the Code 10 error?
A: Yes, a Windows reset can fix persistent Code 10 errors by reinstalling all drivers and restoring system files but it should be your last resort.