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Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” – Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Table of Contents

Hub: Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub

Quick Answer
Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” is a Device Manager error that occurs when Windows stops a device due to a reported problem. To fix it, uninstall and reinstall the device driver, update the driver, roll back to a previous driver version, and update chipset drivers. If the error persists, disable USB selective suspend, run the hardware troubleshooter, or check power management settings. For more Windows troubleshooting, visit our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Why Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” Happens

Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” is a Device Manager error that appears when Windows detects a problem with a hardware device and stops it from functioning. This error code indicates that the device driver reported a failure, often due to corrupted drivers, power issues, or hardware conflicts. For official Microsoft documentation, refer to the Microsoft Device Manager Error Codes documentation.

When Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” appears, it typically indicates that the device driver has reported a failure to Windows, causing the system to stop the device. This error is similar to other device errors like “This device cannot start (Code 10)” USB Error and USB Device Not Recognized, but it specifically indicates that Windows has actively stopped the device due to a reported problem. Common triggers include corrupted or outdated drivers, insufficient power supply, conflicts with other devices, and hardware failures.

Before diving into fixes, try connecting the device to a different USB port or a different computer to rule out hardware failure. If Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” occurs with a graphics card, ensure your power supply meets the requirements. For a broader overview of Windows errors, see our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

⚠️ Warning: Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” can indicate a hardware problem. If software fixes fail, test the device on another computer to determine if the device itself is faulty.

1. Restart Your PC and Reconnect the Device

The simplest fix for Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” is restarting your computer and reconnecting the 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 device from the port.
  3. Wait 10-15 seconds, then plug it back in.
  4. If possible, try a different port (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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”.

2. Uninstall and Reinstall the Device Driver

Corrupted drivers are a leading cause of Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. Uninstalling and reinstalling the driver forces Windows to install a fresh copy.

  1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select Device Manager).
  2. Find the device with the yellow exclamation mark (e.g., under Universal Serial Bus controllers, Display adapters, or Other devices).
  3. Right-click the device 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 Device Driver

Outdated drivers can cause Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. Updating to the latest driver version can resolve compatibility issues.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the 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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” started after a driver update, rolling back to the previous version may resolve the issue.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the 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. Update Chipset and Motherboard Drivers

Outdated chipset or motherboard drivers can cause device controller issues that lead to Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. 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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” by providing better device controller compatibility.

6. Disable USB Selective Suspend Setting

USB Selective Suspend is a power-saving feature that can cause Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” 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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”.

7. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix hardware issues, including Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”.

  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 Power Management Settings

Windows power management settings can turn off devices to save power, causing Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. Disabling this feature can resolve the issue.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Find the device with the error (e.g., USB Root Hub, graphics card, or other device).
  3. 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 restart your PC.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If you have multiple devices with this issue, disable power management on all of them to prevent Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” 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.

Check for BIOS/UEFI Updates

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

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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. Run a full scan with Windows Defender Offline. For detailed steps, see How to Scan Malware Windows 11.

Test the 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.

Reinstall Windows Using In-Place Upgrade

An in-place upgrade reinstalls Windows while preserving your files and apps. Download the Windows 11 ISO, mount it, and run setup.exe. Choose “Keep personal files and apps.” This often resolves persistent Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. This method is also effective for Windows Installation Failed in Safe_OS Phase.

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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” is a common but fixable device manager error. The most reliable solutions are uninstalling and reinstalling the device driver, updating the driver, rolling back to a previous version, and updating chipset drivers. If the error persists, disabling USB selective suspend, running the hardware troubleshooter, or checking power management settings will usually resolve the issue. Always test the 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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” from recurring. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and check out related articles on Code 10 USB Error, USB Device Not Recognized, and GPU Not Detected.

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FAQ

What causes Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”?

Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” is caused by corrupted or outdated drivers, insufficient power supply, hardware conflicts, power management issues, or faulty hardware.

How do I fix Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”?

Uninstall and reinstall the device driver, update the driver, roll back to a previous version, update chipset drivers, disable USB selective suspend, and run the hardware troubleshooter.

Can USB selective suspend cause Code 43 error?

Yes, USB selective suspend can turn off USB ports to save power, causing Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”. Disabling it can resolve the issue.

Is Code 43 error a hardware or software issue?

Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)” can be both. It is often software-related (driver corruption, power settings), but can also indicate a faulty device or port.

How do I uninstall and reinstall a device driver?

Open Device Manager, 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 43 error?

Yes, outdated chipset drivers can cause device controller issues. Updating them often resolves Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”.

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 43 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 “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”.

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 power supply cause Code 43 error?

Yes, an insufficient or failing power supply can cause Windows “Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)”, especially with graphics cards and power-hungry USB devices.

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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