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DEVICE-MANAGER-CODE-39

Device Manager Codes Device Manager Code 39: Windows Cannot Load the Device Driver for This Hardware Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11

What it means

Different from Code 28 — here a driver is present, but Windows can't actually load it, usually because the driver file itself is corrupted or missing a required component.

Also seen as: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware (Code 39), Code 39 error, The driver may be corrupted or missing

Quick fix steps

  1. Uninstall the device entirely (right-click > Uninstall device) and restart — this clears the broken driver and lets Windows reinstall a fresh copy automatically.
  2. If reinstalling automatically doesn't fix it, download the driver fresh from the manufacturer's site and install it manually.
  3. Run sfc /scannow from an admin Command Prompt, since a genuine Windows system file affecting driver loading can also cause this specific code.
  4. Check for malware, since some malware specifically disables or corrupts device drivers, particularly for security-relevant hardware — a full scan with Windows Security is worth ruling out.
For the full step-by-step walkthrough, see Understanding Device Manager Error Codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the practical difference between Code 28 and Code 39?
Code 28 means no driver is installed at all, while Code 39 means a driver is present but corrupted or can't load — the fix (reinstalling the driver) is similar, but the underlying situation is different.
Could antivirus software cause Code 39?
Yes, in some cases — security software can occasionally interfere with driver loading, particularly for certain types of hardware, so it's worth considering if this started after installing new security software.

Other error codes

DEVICE-MANAGER-CODE-10 — Device Manager Code 10: This Device Cannot Start

One of the most common, generic Device Manager codes — Windows tried to start the device and couldn't, usually because of an outdated or corrupted driver, though it can also point to a temporary hardware fault.

DEVICE-MANAGER-CODE-28 — Device Manager Code 28: The Drivers for This Device Are Not Installed

Exactly what it says — no driver is currently installed for this device at all, as opposed to a driver being present but broken.

DEVICE-MANAGER-CODE-43 — Device Manager Code 43: Windows Has Stopped This Device Because It Has Reported Problems

A deliberately vague, catch-all code — the device itself reported a problem to Windows, which stopped it as a protective measure, but the specific reason isn't included in the code itself. Common causes range from a genuinely failing piece of hardware to a driver conflict to, on graphics cards specifically, a crashed or hung GPU.

DEVICE-MANAGER-CODE-45 — Device Manager Code 45: Currently, This Hardware Device Is Not Connected to the Computer

Usually much simpler than most other Device Manager codes: this is a leftover entry for a device that was once connected but genuinely isn't plugged in right now — Windows keeps a record of previously-connected devices, and this code just reflects that.