Code 43: Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems

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Applies To: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Vista

Device Manager displays the following message in the Device Properties dialog box, on the General tab, in the Device Status text box:

Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

Diagnosis

A device driver notified the operating system that the device failed.

This circumstance can occur if the device hardware fails or if the device driver fails.

Resolution

To resolve this problem, do the following.

  1. To open Device Manager, click Start, click Search programs and files, and then type Device Manager. A list of available matching items appears above the search box; click Device Manager. Device Manager opens with your computer name at the top and a list of devices that are installed on your computer beneath your computer name.

  2. Locate the malfunctioning device in the list of devices, right-click the device, and then click Uninstall. When a warning message appears that you are uninstalling a device from your system, click OK. Device manager uninstalls the device.

  3. Right-click your computer name in Device Manager and click Scan for hardware changes. Device manager scans your system and automatically reinstalls your device.

  4. Right-click the device and click Properties. On the General tab of the device Properties dialog box, in Device status, you should see the message This device is working properly.

If the steps above do not resolve the problems with the device, and if the device is an external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive, use the taskbar icon to safely eject the device, then unplug the device from the computer. For devices that use AC power, unplug the device from the electrical outlet or power strip, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Turn on the device power switch, and then plug it in to your computer. If the device includes a drivers disk, ensure that you have it handy to install the device drivers; otherwise, Windows should automatically locate the correct drivers and install them.

If you do not have a driver disk and Windows cannot automatically detect the drivers, it means that your hardware manufacturer has not uploaded the drivers for your device to Windows Update. If this is the case, you must go to your device manufacturer web site to download or request the most recent drivers for your device.

For more information about how to diagnose the problem:

  1. See the hardware documentation.

  2. Run the diagnostic tool Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows on the Microsoft Fix it Center.

Additional information

To verify that a device is compatible with Windows® 7, see the Windows 7 Compatibility Center.

To discuss hardware issues and compatibility in Windows 7, use the TechNet Windows 7 Hardware Compatibility forum.

To discuss hardware issues and compatibility in Windows Vista, use the TechNet Windows Vista Hardware forum.