The Code 43 error in the device manager indicates that Windows found an error with a USB device, and has therefore shut it down for usage within the operatin. Code 43 problems include computer crashes, freezes, and possible virus infection. Learn how to fix these hardware errors quickly and easily!
Every now and then something breaks on your computer. Maybe you get a bad system update from Microsoft or cosmic rays flip the wrong bit on your system. Whatever the cause, often your problem has nothing to do with hardware, but lies within the software powering it, instead.
This recently happened to me when a USB 3.0 port on my system suddenly stopped working. I wasn't sure how it happened, and when I looked into the problem Windows displayed its infamous 'error code 43.' Luckily, this problem can often be fixed in just a few clicks. Try this out before freaking out if one of your PC components suddenly stops working.
Device Manager
On Windows 8.1, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the contextual menu. Windows 7 users can find out how to open Device Manger here.
Let's continue using the borked USB port example. Fixing code 43 isn't just for USB devices, though—it's a quick tip you can use to help troubleshoot any PC component that ceases to work due to a software issue.
Once the device manager is open look for the heading that says Universal Serial Bus controllers and click it to reveal a list of all the USB devices on your PC. Definitive technology bp 2000 manual.
In the list, you may see an item that has a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in it and says 'Unknown Device.' Click on that and another window will open. Under the General tab you'll see a window that says Device status. For this tip to work, that window should say 'Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)'.
Microsoft Code 43 Driver Fix
Now it's time to get to work.
Open the Driver tab and then click the Uninstall button. This will remove the USB controllers driver software (the low-level programming that makes the hardware work) from your system.
Next, you have to put it back. Close the smaller window for your USB device and in the main Device Manager window click Action > Scan for hardware changes. Windows will notice that the USB device is lacking driver software and will reinstall it.
After that's done, you can click on the USB device again and under the General tab and under Device status it should now say the device is working properly.
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The Code 43 error is one of several Device Manager error codes. It's generated when Device Manager stops a hardware device because the hardware reported to Windows that it's having some kind of unspecified problem.
This generic message could mean there's a true hardware problem or it could simply mean that there's a driver error that Windows can't identify as such but that the hardware is being affected by it.
It will almost always display in the following way:
Details on Device Manager error codes like Code 43 are available in the Device Status area in the device's properties.
Device Manager error codes are exclusive to Device Manager. If you see the Code 43 error elsewhere in Windows, chances are it's a system error code, which you should not troubleshoot as a Device Manager problem.
The Code 43 error could apply to any hardware device in Device Manager, though most Code 43 errors appear on video cards and USB devices like printers, webcams, iPhones, and related peripherals.
Microsoft Code 43 Driver Fix Windows 7
Any of Microsoft's operating systems could experience a Code 43 Device Manager error including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and more.
How to Fix a Code 43 Error
Code 43 Graphics Card
Follow these steps, in order, to resolve a Code 43 error. Because this message is generic, standard troubleshooting steps come first.
Graphics Device Error Code 43
Restart your computer if you haven't done so already.
There is always the chance that the error Code 43 you're seeing on a device was caused by some temporary problem with the hardware. If so, a restart of your computer might fix the Code 43 error.
Some people have also reported that powering off their computer completely (not just a reset) and then turning it back on has corrected their Code 43 warning if it sources from a USB device. In the case of a laptop, turn it off and remove the battery, wait a few minutes, and then put the battery back in and start the computer.
Did you install a device or make a change in Device Manager just before the Code 43 error appeared? If so, it's possible that the change you made caused the Code 43 error. Undo the change if you can, restart your PC, and then check again for the Code 43 error.
Depending on the changes you made, some solutions might include:
Removing or reconfiguring the newly installed device
Rolling back the driver to a version prior to your update
Using System Restore to undo recent Device Manager related changes
Disable the device and then re-enable it. This step provides Windows with a chance to take a fresh look at configuring the device.
This might sound like a very simple fix, and that's because it is. However, this procedure might be all the computer needs to correct the Code 43 error.
Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device is a possible solution to a Code 43 error.
If a USB device is generating the Code 43 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.
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.
Update the drivers for the device. It's also possible that installing the latest drivers for the device could correct the Code 43 error.
If updating the drivers does remove the Code 43 error, it means that the stored Windows drivers you reinstalled in Step 3 were probably damaged or were the wrong drivers.
Install the latest Windows service pack. One of Microsoft's service packs or other patches for Windows might contain a fix for whatever might be causing the Code 43 error, so if you're not fully updated, do so now.
Update BIOS. In some situations, an outdated BIOS could be causing a specific issue with a device that's making it report a problem to Windows—thus the Code 43 error.
Replace the data cable that connects the device to the computer, assuming it has one. This potential fix for a Code 43 error is most often useful if you're seeing the error on an external device like a USB or FireWire device.
Purchase a poweredUSB hub if the Code 43 error is showing up for a USB device. Some USB devices need more power than the USB ports that are built into your computer can provide. Plugging those devices into a powered USB hub solves that challenge.
Replace the hardware. A problem with the device itself might be causing the Code 43 error, in which case replacing the hardware is your next logical step. In most cases, this is the solution to a Code 43 error but try the easier, and free, software-based troubleshooting ideas first.
If you're positive that a hardware problem isn't causing the Code 43 error, you could try a repair install of Windows. If that doesn't work, try a clean install of Windows. We 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.
Another possibility, while not very likely, is that the device is incompatible with your version of Windows. You can always check the Windows HCL to be sure.