Fix “Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device…” (Code 19) Error (Expert Recommended Solution)

Some Windows users have complained of strange errors that rarely occur but hamper the performance of their Windows PCs. One such error is Code 19, which displays, “Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged.”

It is associated with faulty hardware connected to your computer or is the result of improper connections. The most common hardware with which this error arises is the CD/DVD ROM. We have listed a few methods to help you fix the error. Without further delay, let us begin.

What Is The “Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device…” (Code 19)

This error typically occurs when there’s an issue with a hardware device driver or a problem in the registry. It can prevent Windows from properly recognizing or using the device, such as a printer, graphics card, USB device, or other hardware components. This error usually appears in Device Manager under the Device Status section. It is often accompanied by the message: “This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.”

What Are The Common Causes of the Code 19 Error?

The most common cause of this error is outdated, corrupted, or missing device drivers. If the necessary drivers are not installed or have become corrupted, Windows will not be able to properly communicate with the device.

• Code 19 can also be triggered by incorrect or damaged registry entries associated with the device or its driver. Windows may fail to load the driver if the registry information is incorrect or modified by a software issue or malware.
• Conflicts can occur if multiple devices use the same system resources or if incompatible drivers are installed. This can result in Windows being unable to load one or more device drivers.
• If the hardware is physically damaged or malfunctioning (such as a faulty USB port, hard drive, or a damaged PCI card), Windows may fail to recognize the device properly, causing the error.
• A recent Windows update may sometimes cause driver compatibility issues or corruption, leading to the Code 19 error.
• Installing drivers from third-party websites or unofficial sources may lead to errors like Code 19, as they might not be fully compatible with your system or may be incomplete.
• Malware infections or software conflicts can sometimes corrupt device drivers or registry settings, causing errors.
• If a program or hardware driver is uninstalled incorrectly, it can leave remnants in the registry or file system that interfere with the proper functioning of other devices.

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10 Ways to Fix The “Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device…” (Code 19)

Method 1 – Restart PC

Experts suggest that the (Code 19) error could be due to a temporary glitch that a simple reboot can resolve. Just restart your PC and check if the issue persists. If yes, then move on to the next method below.

Method 2 – Run a Hardware & Device Troubleshooter

The next step is a simple one where you have to run an in-built troubleshooter to identify and fix hardware issues within your PC. Here are the steps you need to follow – 

1. Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
2. Copy and paste the following command and press the Enter key.

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

3. A new box will open here. Click the Advanced link.

4. Ensure that the “Apply Repairs Automatically” box has been checked.

5. Click on the Next button and follow the onscreen instructions.
6. Restart your PC after the scan and repair process are complete.

Also Read – Application Has Been Blocked from Accessing Graphics Hardware Error on Windows – Fixed

Method 3 – Rollback Driver

If the “Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)” error is still prevalent on your PC. It could be due to drivers installed on your PC. Sometimes, driver updates are known to create conflicts, and the only solution, till a further fixup patch is released, is to roll back drivers to their previous version. Here is what you need to do –

Editors’ Note – Drivers are small programs that help bridge the gap between the hardware and software. Without drivers, the Windows OS cannot use the hardware.

1. Press Win + X to open the Power Menu and choose Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the drivers with yellow exclamation marks and right-click on them to choose Properties.

3. Click on the Driver tab in the Properties box.

4. Select the Roll Back Driver button and follow the onscreen instructions.
5. If the button is grayed out, then move to the next step.

After you have restored the previous driver versions, check if the issue persists. If yes, then follow the next step to uninstall drivers.

Method 4 – Uninstall And Reinstall Drivers

If the Rollback Drivers method does not work, we suggest you uninstall and reinstall the drivers for the affected hardware. It is easy to carry out the steps to uninstall the driver only. The driver will be reinstalled automatically after you reboot your PC. Here is what you need to do –

1. Press Win + R to launch the RUN dialog box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press the OK button.
3. In the Device Manager box, right-click on the driver associated with the hardware producing the Code 19 error and choose Uninstall from the context menu.

4. Adhere to the online instructions and exit the Device Manager window.
5. Restart your PC, and Windows will auto-detect the drivers that have been uninstalled and reinstall them for you.

Also Read – Fix – LiveKernelEvent 141 Hardware Error

Method 5 – Update Drivers

Experts have also recommended updating your drivers if the above-mentioned driver-related methods do not work. There are three ways to do this.

1. Update Drivers by downloading/installing drivers from the device manufacturer’s website.
2. Update Drivers using the Device Manager by right-clicking on the concerned driver and choosing Update Driver from the context menu.
3. Update Drivers using the Advanced Driver Updater app that can scan, identify, and fix all driver anomalies: outdated, missing, incompatible, and corrupted drivers.

Also Read – Top Features to Look For in Driver Updater Software

Method 6 – Make Changes In the Windows Registry

After completing driver-related troubleshooting, if the issue persists, we can conclude that the (Code 19) error is not due to Driver anomalies. We need to carry out Windows-related troubleshooting steps, starting from making changes in the Windows Registry. Here is what you need to do –

1. Press Win + R to launch the RUN box and type “Regedit.”
2. Click the OK button, and if any UAC prompt appears, click Yes.
3. Copy and paste the following path into the Registry editor’s address bar.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36fc9e60-c465-11cf-8056-444553540000}

4. Press the Enter key and the {36fc9e60-c465-11cf-8056-444553540000} Registry entry will be highlighted.

5. Right-click on this entry and select Delete from the context menu.
6. Next, locate  {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} Registry entry under Class and click on it.
7. In the right panel, locate UpperFilters and LowerFilters values. Right-click on these values and choose Delete.

Editor’s Note – If you do not get these Registry entries on your PC, move to the next method.

7. Restart your PC and check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 7 – Uninstall iTunes

This may sound strange, but some experts have observed that iTunes can cause Code 19 errors. To identify if that is the case, you must uninstall iTunes and check if the issue has been resolved. You can reinstall iTunes later. Here are the steps to remove an app from a Windows PC.

1. Press Win + X to open the Power Menu and select Settings.
2. Click on Apps in the left panel and Installed Apps in the right section.
3. A list of apps installed on your system will be displayed. Type iTunes in the search bar at the top, and it will be highlighted.

4. Click on the three dots next to iTunes and choose Uninstall from the context menu.5. Follow the steps on the screen to remove iTunes from your PC.
6. After uninstallation, reboot your PC and check if the issue persists.
7. Reinstall iTunes from a valid source.

Method 8 – System Restore

If this issue has occurred recently, you can use System Restore to revert your PC to a previous state before the problem began. This can help resolve issues such as “Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device…” (Code 19) Error On. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, then type “rstrui.exe”.

2. Click OK to open the System Restore window.
3. Select a restore point before the issue occurs, then click Next and Finish.

Method 9 – Reset Windows

If you still face issues after trying other solutions, performing a Windows Reset might be the best option to fix persistent problems like the Code 19 error. This will reinstall Windows while allowing you to keep or remove your files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Start menu and search for ‘Reset this PC.’ Then, select the appropriate option from the search results.

2. Click on “Reset PC.”

3. Select “Keep my files.”

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the reset process for your Windows computer.

Method 10 – Replace The Hardware

The final solution is to replace the hardware that is causing the issue. Try to obtain a new device and check it by attaching it to your PC.

The Final Word on Fixing the Error

By following these steps, you can typically resolve the Code 19 error and restore proper functionality to your hardware. If the issue persists despite all troubleshooting options, further investigation into hardware problems or a fresh installation of Windows may be necessary. However, in most cases, addressing driver issues and fixing corrupted files will resolve the error efficiently.

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