A device stopped working

Check Device Manager first, then follow the guide for your device.

When a device stops working, Windows usually records why in Device Manager. Microsoft's troubleshooting for USB, Bluetooth, printers and sound all start with the same basics: check the connection and power, then the status in Device Manager, then the driver.

Find your device below. Each guide follows Microsoft's support articles for that device type.

Check Device Manager first

Right-click Start > Device Manager and look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
Right-click the device > Properties and read the Device status. Code 43 means Windows stopped the device because it reported problems; Code 28 means no driver is installed.
Restart the PC, and try another port or cable, before changing drivers.
If the device is missing completely, shut down fully (hold Shift while choosing Shut down) and start again.

USB devices

A device is not recognized, shows Code 43 or disconnects.

Windows & BSOD

USB-DEVICE-NOT-RECOGNIZED

Windows shows "USB device not recognized" when you plug in a device, and the device does not work. In Device Manager it may appear as Unknown USB Device with a yellow warning sign.

medium · Open step-by-step guide

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is missing, a device will not pair, or the connection drops.

Motherboard

BT-ERR-43

The Bluetooth toggle is missing or greyed out in Settings and Quick settings. In Device Manager the adapter may show a yellow warning, often with Code 43 (Windows stopped the device because it reported problems).

medium · Open step-by-step guide Windows & BSOD

BLUETOOTH-PAIRING-FAIL

Windows does not find a Bluetooth device, pairing fails, or a paired device shows as paired but will not connect. Bluetooth itself is working on the PC, but the connection with this device does not succeed.

low · Open step-by-step guide Windows & BSOD

BLUETOOTH-AUDIO-STUTTER

Bluetooth headphones, speakers or other devices keep disconnecting, or the sound stutters and cuts out. Microsoft says disconnections are often caused by power-saving settings, outdated drivers or temporary glitches.

low · Open step-by-step guide

Printer and sound

The printer shows Offline, or Windows plays no sound.

Windows & BSOD

PRN-OFFLINE

Windows shows the printer as Offline, and print jobs stay in the queue instead of printing. The printer is usually fine; Windows simply cannot reach it.

low · Open step-by-step guide Drivers

AUDIO-NO-OUTPUT

Windows plays no sound, the speaker icon shows a red X, or hovering over it says "No audio output device is installed". Either Windows does not see the sound device at all, usually because of a driver problem or a…

medium · Open step-by-step guide

Graphics card

The graphics card shows Code 43 in Device Manager.

Graphics

CODE-43-GPU

Device Manager shows "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" for the graphics card. Microsoft explains that one of the device's drivers told Windows that the device failed, and…

high · Open step-by-step guide

First steps for any device problem

These checks appear in Microsoft's troubleshooting for USB, Bluetooth, printer and audio devices.

Check power and cables, and connect the device directly to the PC instead of through a hub or dock.
Restart the device and the PC.
In Device Manager, right-click the device > Uninstall device, then Action > Scan for hardware changes.
Install the latest driver from the device or PC maker, or roll back the driver if the problem started after an update.
Run Windows Update, including optional driver updates.
Use the matching troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
Test the device on another PC to rule out a faulty device.

Sources

Written and reviewed by Matyáš Rada.

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