Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device is a possible solution to a Code 43 error. If a USB device is generating the Code 43 error, uninstall every device under the Universal Serial Bus controllers hardware category in Device Manager as part of the driver reinstall. In that case, when an unknown USB device with an exclamation point appears in the list of USB Controllers, try the following things: Right-click on the device, select Properties, then click button Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab, if it is available, and if not — Uninstall to remove the driver. If you tried the above two steps and your Windows Device Manager still contains an Unknown PCI device, likely the device cannot be identified. If you that the device not being identified is installed, we suggest you obtain the latest drivers for that device. A listing of drivers is on our drivers page.
When opening the Device Manager, a screen similar to the example picture should appear. All categories should have +'s or arrows pointing to the right next to each of the device categories with no Other devices or Unknown devices listed. However, when problems occur, you may have one or more of the errors below.
NoteIf you receive an error when trying to open the Device Manager, this may indicate there are corrupt files in Windows. It may be necessary to run a Windows repair process, using the Windows CD or DVD, to correct this issue.
Exclamation mark or other devices
The unknown device hardware ID is ACPI MSFT0101 which indicates the Security Chip (TPM) setting issue. Sometimes Bluetooth may not appear in Device Manager if the driver isn’t compatible with the version of the operating system. You can find out if it’s compatible using these steps: Open Start. Search for Device Manager and click the result. Expand Other devices. Select the unknown device, right-click it, and select Properties. Click on the Details tab.
When a device has a yellow circle with an exclamation mark under Other devices, this indicates that the device is conflicting with other hardware. Or, it may indicate that the device or its drivers are not installed properly.
Double-clicking and opening the device with the error shows you an error code.
What to do with exclamation mark or other devices
Remove all devices with an exclamation mark and any Other devices from Device Manager by highlighting them and pressing the delete key on the keyboard. Once they have all been removed, reboot the computer and allow Windows to re-detect the devices.
If, after rebooting the computer, the Device Manager remains the same, Windows is not installing the devices because it lacks the proper driver support. You need to download the latest drivers for that device or use the original installation disc that came with the hardware.
Red 'x'
The device is disabled, removed, or Windows cannot locate the device.
What to do with red X
If you want this device enabled, double-click the device with a red x. At the bottom of the General tab, click the Device usage drop-down box where it says Do not use this device (disabled) and select 'Use this device (enabled)'.
If this is not available or is already enabled, highlight the device in Device Manager and press delete on the keyboard to remove the device. Reboot the computer and let Windows re-detect the device.
If, after rebooting the computer, the Device Manager remains the same, Windows is not installing the devices because it lacks the proper driver support. You'll need to download the latest drivers for that device or use the original installation disc that came with the hardware.
Down arrow
In Windows Vista and later, if you see a small down arrow next to the device (shown in the picture), it indicates the device is disabled.
What to do with down arrow
To resolve this issue, double-click the device, click the Driver tab and click the Enable button. After it is enabled, restart the computer, if prompted to do so.
Missing hardware or Unknown device
Missing hardware
If you don't see the device you are trying to install in Device Manager, and there are no 'Other devices' listed, the device is not detected by the computer. Even if Windows does not have the proper driver support for the device, it should still put that device under Other devices or Unknown device.
Try turning off the computer, disconnecting and reconnecting the hardware device, and turning the computer back on. If Windows still does not detect the device, either that device is not compatible with your version of Windows, or it is bad.
Unknown device
If devices are detected but showing as an Unknown device, this indicates that Windows doesn't have the proper driver support for that device.
Sometimes identifying an Unknown device can be difficult if you have not installed anything recently and have no idea what the Unknown device may be in the computer.
If you have recently reinstalled Windows many times, you could get more than one Unknown device in the computer. Installing the computer's chipset drivers from the driver disc or a download should solve most, if not all, Unknown devices. Also, going through the setup on your driver CD can solve many Unknown device problems.
If you are trying to install a new device for your computer, make sure to run the setup or install the drivers from the included disc. If you do not have a drivers disc, the drivers can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
Additional information
Download Unknown Device Driver
- See our Device Manager definition for further information and related links.
This issue is caused when Microsoft Windows does not properly detect the chipset or videodisplay.
Corrupt or missing motherboard or chipset drivers
Hp Unknown Device Windows 10
Download and install the latest chipset and video card drivers. If you or someone you know built your computer, it came with the motherboard CD. This CD contains the chipset drivers. Otherwise, you can find drivers for all the major chipsets on our motherboard drivers page.
Corrupt or missing video card drivers
If installing the latest chipset or motherboard drivers doesn't resolve your issue, make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your video card. For a listing of video card drivers, see our video card drivers page.
Other PCI device that Windows cannot identify
If you tried the above two steps and your Windows Device Manager still contains an Unknown PCI device, likely the device cannot be identified.
If you that the device not being identified is installed, we suggest you obtain the latest drivers for that device. A listing of drivers is on our drivers page.
Unknown Device Has A Driver Problem Windows 10 Update
If you have recently finished installing or reinstalling Windows onto the computer and are getting the unknown PCI device, we suggest you manually identify the PCI device through the registry.
Other Devices Drivers Windows 10
Additional information
Unknown Device Has A Driver Problem Windows 10 64 Bit
- See the PCI and drivers definition for further information and related links.