[Solved] A Driver Cannot Load on This Device

A driver that cannot load on this device is an error you might encounter if all the PC drivers are not functional. Every time you boot up the PC, all the drivers are required to start working in their respective directions. If even one of them fails, the PC may not perform properly. This is also the reason why the system sends you an error message that says a driver cannot load on this device to warn you that your PC is not functioning at its peak performance capabilities. 

So what can you do to get rid of this error? More importantly, what are the issues that cause this error on your PC? In this post, let us learn more about this common error and identify ways to eradicate it. 

What Causes the A Driver Cannot Load on this Device Error

The error is usually clear that it is due to a malfunctioning driver. Drivers are an important part of your PC because, without them, a single connected external or internet component may not work. When your PC has outdated drivers or drivers that have gone corrupt, you may come across the “driver not loading problem” error prompt on your PC. 

Compatibility of the drivers you are using is also one of the reasons. The drivers are basic connectivity support software for all the components on your PC. Manufacturers use driver updates as the basic means of upgrading these components to support the latest OS updates and stay compatible with Windows for a long time. When these updates are not installed timely, the driver becomes unresponsive and incompatible, causing the issue.

Another reason behind the error is using unsigned drivers with original components or downloading the drivers from unknown sources. You may find the driver files online on different websites however, they can be tweaked to introduce meddlesome applications on your PC. Which means the purpose of downloading the update is destroyed. And since the driver is not from genuine sources, the PC cannot load it, and the error A Driver Cannot Load on this Device error appears!

Ways to Fix the Driver Not Loading Error on Windows (All Version)

Fix 1 – Check for Pending Optional Updates

Microsoft also rolls out required system driver updates. These updates fall under the category of optional updates that users have to download and install manually. Several users are unaware of these and, hence, face issues related to drivers on their PCs. Here are the steps you can use to install these system driver updates. 

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open the System Settings.
Step 2 – Open the Windows Updates section from the left pane in System Settings.

Step 3 – In the Updates section, open Advanced Options.

Step 4 – You may find the Optional Updates in this menu. Click on it to open.
Step 5 – Check this option if it has any updates pending. If there are available, click on download and install the updates. 

Restart your PC after you have successfully downloaded the updates so that it can take effect. If no updates are available in this section and you still find the “A Driver can not load on this device” error on your PC, do not worry; we have other ways to update the drivers. Check out the next fix.

Fix 2 – Install Latest Driver Updates

It is necessary to keep the drivers updated on your PC. If there are no optional updates available, it means that system drivers are fine. But what about other drivers? For them to work fine, you should know how to update drivers on Windows. 

If you want to go the manual route, you will have to spend multiple hours to get things done. That is because you have to open every driver and check if any updates are available. And who wants to do that now? Right?

We present you with the Advanced Driver Updater to give you a better method. It is a tried and tested update method that allows you to find all the outdated drivers on your PC, download updates for them, and update them automatically. All of it is done with three steps only – 

Step 1 – Download and install the application using the link below. 

Step 2 – Use the Start Scan Now button on the application to initiate a search for outdated drivers.

Step 3 – After the scan, you have a list of all the outdated drivers on your PC. Use the Update All button and initiate the update process for the same.

Let the process get over, and the PC will automatically restart with your PC. Other than that, you can also take a backup of the drivers and schedule scans. 

Fix 3 – Disable Memory Integrity

Memory integrity is a feature that often interferes with the driver update and stops them from installing or updating. If this feature is toggled ON, the chances of the “a driver cannot load on this device a security setting is preventing” error are higher than expected.

To toggle it OFF, simply – 

Step 1 – Go to the Start menu and open the Windows Security.

Step 2 – Go to Device Security from the left pane in Windows Security.
Step 3 – Go to the Core Isolation Details.

Step 4 – There you may find the memory integrity option. Turn the toggle OFF.

After doing the same, you should try restarting your PC to check if the driver issue reappears. 

Having said all of that, it is crucial to keep your drivers updated. Hence, we recommend that even if your issue is resolved, you must use the Advanced Driver Updater regularly to avoid the error from appearing again. 

Other than these fixes, if nothing works, you should try a system restore. That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading, good luck!

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