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Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error – Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Table of Contents

Hub: Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub

Quick Answer
Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error is a device manager error that occurs when a USB device fails to initialize properly. To fix it, uninstall and reinstall the USB driver, update the driver, disable USB selective suspend, and update chipset drivers. If the error persists, roll back the driver, run the hardware troubleshooter, or check power management settings. For more Windows troubleshooting, visit our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Why Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error Happens

Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error is a Device Manager error that appears when a USB device fails to start properly. This error code indicates that the device driver could not initialize the hardware, often due to corrupted drivers, power management issues, or hardware conflicts. For official Microsoft documentation, refer to the Microsoft Device Manager Error Codes documentation.

When Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error appears, it typically indicates that the USB device driver could not communicate with the hardware. This error is similar to other USB-related errors like USB Device Not Recognized (Device Descriptor Request Failed) and USB Ports Not Working on Windows 11, but it specifically indicates a failure during the device initialization phase. Common triggers include corrupted or outdated drivers, insufficient power supply to the USB port, conflicts with other devices, and incorrect power management settings.

Before diving into fixes, try connecting the USB device to a different USB port or a different computer to rule out hardware failure. If Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error occurs with multiple USB devices, the issue may be with the USB controller or drivers rather than the device itself. For a broader overview of Windows errors, see our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

⚠️ Warning: Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error can indicate a hardware problem. If software fixes fail, try the device on another computer to determine if the device itself is faulty.

1. Restart Your PC and Reconnect the USB Device

The simplest fix for Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error is restarting your computer and reconnecting the USB device. This clears temporary glitches and allows the driver to reload.

  1. Restart your PC and wait for it to fully boot.
  2. Unplug the USB device from the port.
  3. Wait 10-15 seconds, then plug it back in.
  4. If possible, try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0 for compatibility testing).
  5. Check Device Manager to see if the error persists.

✅ Expected Result: The error may be resolved immediately. If not, proceed to the next method to fix Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error.

2. Uninstall and Reinstall the USB Driver

Corrupted drivers are a leading cause of Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Uninstalling and reinstalling the driver forces Windows to install a fresh copy.

  1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select Device Manager).
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers or find your device under Other devices.
  3. Right-click the device with the yellow exclamation mark and select Uninstall device.
  4. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if available.
  5. Click Uninstall and restart your PC.
  6. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver. Check if the error is resolved.

💡 Quick Tip: If Windows does not automatically reinstall the driver, use the Action > Scan for hardware changes option in Device Manager to manually trigger driver installation.

3. Update the USB Device Driver

Outdated drivers can cause Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Updating to the latest driver version can resolve compatibility issues.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the USB device with the error and select Update driver.
  3. Select “Search automatically for drivers”.
  4. If Windows finds an update, install it and restart.
  5. If Windows does not find a driver, visit the device manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver manually.

❌ Common Mistake: Relying solely on Windows Update for driver updates. Always check the manufacturer’s support page for the most recent and stable drivers.

4. Roll Back the Driver to a Previous Version

If Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error started after a driver update, rolling back to the previous version may resolve the issue.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the USB device and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.
  5. If the option is grayed out, there is no previous driver to roll back to.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If rollback is not available, use System Restore to revert to a point before the driver update.

5. Disable USB Selective Suspend Setting

USB Selective Suspend is a power-saving feature that can cause Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error by turning off USB ports to save power. Disabling it can resolve the issue.

  1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
  2. Click Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
  3. Click Change advanced power settings.
  4. Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting.
  5. Set it to Disabled for both On battery and Plugged in.
  6. Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling USB selective suspend may increase power consumption slightly, but it can resolve USB connectivity issues and Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error.

6. Update Chipset and Motherboard Drivers

Outdated chipset or motherboard drivers can cause USB controller issues that lead to Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Updating them can resolve the problem.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand System devices and look for chipset-related entries.
  3. Right-click and select Update driver.
  4. If Windows doesn’t find updates, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, AMD, ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) to download the latest chipset drivers.
  5. Install and restart your PC.

✅ Expected Result: Updating chipset drivers often resolves Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error by providing better USB controller compatibility.

7. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix hardware issues, including Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error.

  1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  2. Find Hardware and Devices and click Run.
  3. If it’s not listed, run it from Command Prompt:
    msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
  4. Allow the tool to scan for issues and apply fixes.
  5. Restart your PC after the troubleshooter completes.

💡 Quick Tip: The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter can also be run from the Control Panel under Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound > Hardware and Devices.

8. Check USB Power Management Settings

Windows power management settings can turn off USB devices to save power, causing Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Disabling this feature can resolve the issue.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. For each entry (e.g., USB Root Hub, Generic USB Hub), right-click and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
  6. Click OK and repeat for all USB hub entries.
  7. Restart your PC.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If you have multiple USB hubs, disable power management on all of them to prevent Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error from recurring.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the error persists, try these advanced solutions.

Check Device Status in Device Manager

Right-click the device with the error, select Properties, and go to the General tab. The device status section may provide additional information. Click Update Driver or Troubleshoot for more options.

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with minimal drivers and startup programs, which can eliminate conflicts. Press Win + R, type msconfig, go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” click Disable all, then disable startup items in Task Manager. Restart and test.

Use the Windows USB Troubleshooter Tool

Microsoft provides a dedicated Windows USB Troubleshooter tool. Download it from the Microsoft Support site and run it to diagnose and fix USB issues.

Perform a System Restore

If the error started after a system change, use System Restore to revert to a previous state. See How to Use System Restore Windows 11.

Check for Malware

Malware can corrupt drivers and cause Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Run a full scan with Windows Defender Offline. For detailed steps, see How to Scan Malware Windows 11.

Test the USB Device on Another Computer

If the device works on another computer, the issue is with your Windows installation. If it doesn’t work, the device itself may be faulty and need replacement.

Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

Outdated BIOS can cause USB compatibility issues. Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and update to the latest stable version.

If you have exhausted all options, contact Microsoft Support or your device manufacturer. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Conclusion

Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error is a common but fixable device manager error. The most reliable solutions are uninstalling and reinstalling the USB driver, updating the driver, disabling USB selective suspend, and updating chipset drivers. If the error persists, rolling back the driver, running the hardware troubleshooter, or checking power management settings will usually resolve the issue. Always test the USB device on another computer to rule out hardware failure.

Regular system maintenance, such as keeping drivers updated and periodically checking power settings, can prevent Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error from recurring. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and check out related articles on USB Device Not Recognized, USB Ports Not Working, and External SSD Slow Transfer Speed.

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FAQ

What causes Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error?

Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error is caused by corrupted or outdated USB drivers, power management issues, insufficient power supply to the USB port, hardware conflicts, or faulty USB devices.

How do I fix Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error?

Uninstall and reinstall the USB driver, update the driver, disable USB selective suspend, update chipset drivers, roll back the driver, and run the hardware troubleshooter.

Can a USB selective suspend cause Code 10 error?

Yes, USB selective suspend can turn off USB ports to save power, causing Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Disabling it can resolve the issue.

Is Code 10 error a hardware or software issue?

Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error can be both. It is often software-related (driver corruption, power settings), but can also indicate a faulty USB device or port.

How do I uninstall and reinstall a USB driver?

Open Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click the device with the error, select Uninstall device, check “Delete the driver software,” and restart your PC.

Can updating chipset drivers fix Code 10 error?

Yes, outdated chipset drivers can cause USB controller issues. Updating them often resolves Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error.

What is the difference between Code 10 and Code 43 errors?

Code 10 indicates the device failed to start due to initialization issues, while Code 43 indicates Windows stopped the device due to a reported problem. Both require similar troubleshooting steps.

Can I fix Code 10 error without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, most cases are resolved without reinstalling using driver updates, power management changes, and troubleshooting tools. An in-place upgrade is the last resort for Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error.

How do I run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter?

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and click Run next to Hardware and Devices. Alternatively, run msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic in Command Prompt.

Can a faulty USB cable cause Code 10 error?

Yes, a faulty USB cable can cause connection issues and trigger Windows “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error. Try a different cable to rule this out.

HowToFixPro Editorial Team

We’re a team of system administrators, technical writers, and platform specialists who genuinely enjoy solving the problems most users find frustrating. From persistent Windows errors and Android sync failures to browser crashes and network drops — we’ve seen it all, and we document every fix properly. Our guides are built on official documentation, direct testing, and real troubleshooting experience. No filler, no guesswork — just reliable, step-by-step solutions you can trust.

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