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Reinstall a driver when a device suddenly stops working

Step 1 of 3

Remove the device with the problem

In Device Manager, right-click the device, choose Uninstall device, then click Uninstall. Leave “Attempt to remove the driver” unticked.

The simulation shows Windows in English, like most laptops.

  1. Remove the device with the problem

    In Device Manager, right-click the device, choose Uninstall device, then click Uninstall. Leave “Attempt to remove the driver” unticked.

    Device ManagerUninstall device

  2. Click Scan for hardware changes

    Click the small monitor icon at the top (or restart the laptop). Windows finds the device again and installs its driver.

    ActionScan for hardware changes

  3. Check that it works

    The yellow mark is gone and the status says “This device is working properly”.

  4. Never uninstall anything under Disk drives, System devices or Processors.
Technical details (for the curious)

What Uninstall device does

Windows deletes its record of the device and its settings, but the driver package stays in the DriverStore. When the device is found again, Windows sets the driver up from scratch with clean settings. This often fixes Code 10, Code 43 or a device that “vanished”.

When to tick “Attempt to remove the driver”

Only when the driver itself is broken or the wrong version. The package is deleted too, so Windows falls back to another driver (Windows Update or a basic one). Have the maker’s driver ready first.

Touchpad or keyboard

If you uninstall the touchpad or keyboard, use a USB mouse to click Scan, or briefly press the power button to restart.

Still Code 43 after reinstalling

The hardware itself is probably faulty (cable, port, chip). Try another USB port or take it to a repair shop.

Coming soon

Still not fixed?

In the next update you can tell us what happened, and our AI helper will suggest another way. Until then, restart the device and go through the steps once more.