"This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

Code 10 Error Message

The Code 10 error is one of several Device Manager error codes. The Code 10 error will almost always display in the following way:

"This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

Details on Device Manager error codes like Code 10 are available in the Device Status area in the device's properties: How to View a Device's Status in Device Manager.

Important: Device Manager error codes are exclusive to Device Manager. If you see the Code 10 error elsewhere in Windows, chances are it's a system error code which you should not troubleshoot as a Device Manager issue.

Cause of the Code 10 Error

A Code 10 error is generated when Device Manager can't start the hardware device, a situation usually caused by outdated or corrupted drivers.

A device may also receive a Code 10 error if a driver generates an error that Device Manager doesn't understand. In other words, a Code 10 error can sometimes be a very generic message indicating some kind of unspecified driver or hardware problem.

Resolution

1.    Restart your computer if you haven't done so already.

There is always the chance that the error Code 10 you're seeing on a device was caused by some temporary problem in Device Manager or with the hardware. If so, a reboot might fix the Code 10 error.

2.    Did you install a device or make a change in Device Manager just before the Code 10 error appeared? If so, it's very possible that the change you made caused the Code 10 error.

Undo the change if you can, restart your PC, and then check again for the Code 10 error.

Depending on the changes you made, some solutions might include:

·         Remove or reconfigure the newly installed device.

·         Roll back the driver to a version prior to your update.

·         Use System Restore to undo recent Device Manager related changes.

1.    Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device is a likely solution to a Code 10 error.

Important: If a USB device is generating the Code 10 error, uninstall every device under the Universal Serial Bus controllers hardware category in Device Manager as part of the driver reinstall. This includes any USB Mass Storage Device, USB Host Controller, and USB Root Hub.

Note: Properly reinstalling a driver, as in the instructions linked above, is not the same as simply updating a driver. A full driver reinstall involves completely removing the currently installed driver and then letting Windows install it over again from scratch.

2.    Update the drivers for the device. It's also very possible that installing the latest drivers for the device could correct the Code 10 error. If it does, it means that the stored Windows drivers you reinstalled in Step 3 were were probably damaged.

3.    Install the latest Windows service pack. Microsoft often releases service packs and other patches for Windows, one of which might contain a fix for the Code 10 error.

4.    Reinstall the operating system. Another possibility, while not very likely, is that the device is not compatible with your version of Windows. You can always check the Windows HCL to be sure.

Note: If you're positive that a hardware problem isn't causing the Code 10 error, you could try a repair install of Windows. If that doesn't work, try a clean install of Windows. I don't recommend doing either before you replace the hardware, but you may have to give them a try if you're out of other options.

5.    Replace the hardware. A problem with the hardware device itself might be causing the Code 10 error, in which case replacing the hardware is your next logical step.

Please let me know if you've fixed a Code 10 error using a method that I don't have above. I'd like to keep this page as accurate as possible.

Applies To

The Code 10 error could apply to any hardware device in Device Manager though most Code 10 errors appear on USB and audio devices.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems could experience a Code 10 Device Manager error including Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and more.