[Fix] Error Code 43: Windows has Stopped This Device Because It has Reported Problems

As we all know, our computer is a collection of many hardware. Motherboard is connected to each and every hardware. Be it a plugged-in printer, in-built speakers or the graphic card. The combination of every important hardware makes a computer complete. If any hardware/device faces an issue, that device stops working. For example, if you are using a printer which is connected to your computer through USB connection, and you have been using a printer for months now, and suddenly one day, it stops working. When you try to print, your computer shows Error Code 43. You are completely unaware of this error and have no idea how to solve it.

What is this error, and where did it come from suddenly, even when your printer was working just fine last night?

Well, facing errors while using a computer sometimes gets pretty frustrating if you are near the deadline and you need to submit your presentation ASAP. Any and every Windows Operating System can face errors. Whether it is Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or the latest OS, Windows 10. All of them are vulnerable to errors. If a system file goes missing or your computer wasn’t turned off properly, or if a hardware is facing issues, errors occur. In case a system file goes missing, this error can be only solved by rolling back the operating system or by repairing it. By following some simple steps, the problem can be fixed if there is something wrong with the hardware. Here we will discuss specifically about Windows Error Code 43. 

Fix: Windows has Stopped this Device because it has Reported Problems. (code 43)

Error Code 43 is a Device Manager error, only if it is visible in the properties section of a device’s properties. Whenever there is a problem with some device or system files, the computer shows an error code specified to that specific error. The Error 43 means that the device manager has stopped a hardware because it wasn’t working properly or there is some driver problem. As you can see in the image above, the error simply says Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43). If any of your hardware or device like a video card or any USB connected device shows this error in their properties, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps.

The solutions mentioned below will work for all the Windows versions including Windows 7, Windows 8, XP, Vista, and the latest Windows 10.

1. Restart Your Windows PC

The first step you must follow in case of facing any error is to restart your system. Restarting the computer solves errors almost 50% of times. And when Code 43 comes up, there is a chance that it could have been just a temporary problem with the device. So better restart your computer and try using the hardware again. If the problem still persists, then follow the next step.

2. Undo Recent Changes

Have you installed or connected any device or a hardware lately? Or, did you make any changes in the Device Manager before the Code 43 error popped-up? If you have any of the above, it is very likely that the changes you have made are the reason behind this error. Whatever changes you made, undo them and restart your system. If the error is still present, follow the next step.

3. Reinstall Device Drivers

The error Windows has stopped this device Code 43 must be appearing in the properties section of the malfunctioned device. You need to remove the drivers of that device, and then reinstall them. Most probably, the Windows will itself ask you to install the drivers for that device once you remove them.

Step 1: Go to “Device Manager” by using the Windows 10 search option.

Step 2: Look for the drivers with errors. Once you locate faulty driver, right click it and then click “Uninstall”

Step 3: Windows will warn that you are about to uninstall the driver. Click “Uninstall”

Step 4: Now click on “Scan for Hardware Changes” in menu items at the top of the screen. It will scan your PC and will reinstall the missing drivers automatically.

Note: Remember, updating driver and reinstalling drivers are both different tasks. Here we need to reinstall the driver.

4. Update Device Drivers

The drivers present on your computer might not be up to date. They are possibly broken or old too. On this next step, you need to update the drivers of that malfunctioning device.

Step 1: Go to “Device Manager” as shown in the solution above. Right click on the driver and click “Update Driver Software.”

Step 2: Now Device Manager will take you to another Window. Select “Search automatically for updated driver software”

Now System will search for the updated driver and will install it.

5. Update Windows

Updating your computer can solve the issue as well. What happens is sometimes when your system is still running on a previous version, and the device has already updated its drivers, they become incompatible with each other.

Step 1: Go to “Windows Update Settings” by searching “windows update” in Windows 10 search box.

Step 2: See if there are any new updates are available for your Windows OS.

Step 3: If there is a new Windows update available, go ahead with it without delay. This should fix the annoying error Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43).

6. Use Powered USB Host

If the code 43 for your USB connected device is still present, then possibly the device is fine and the problem is with your USB ports. People sometimes face an additional issue, where their USB ports do not work. It is very common in Windows 10 and Windows 7. This happens because the device which you connect to your USB port requires more power than that port can provide. Using a USB hub with the external power source can solve the error Code 43.

7. Try Different Device

Possibly the device is not working properly if the Windows Code 43 Error is still visible. The next logical step is to replace the device. In most cases of Code 43 error, this is the final solution to the problem. If there is nothing wrong with the software, then the device itself is not working properly. Or, maybe the device is not compatible with your computer or the version of Windows you are using. Try to use another device and if it works on new device, the problem is indeed with the earlier device.

8. Reinstall Windows

If there is nothing wrong with the device and you are still facing the error Windows has stopped this device code 43, then the next and final step is to reinstall Windows 10. You can also choose to repair your Windows. Both solutions work. But, I would recommend you to first try to replace the device, and only use this as the last option. You can download Windows 10 ISO file free.

Conclusion

Solving the error Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43). is not a very big issue, and is possible in a few steps. I hope the above-mentioned steps were helpful and you are now free from the error Code 43.