Quick Summary
Error Code 10 in Windows indicates that a device cannot start, usually because the device's driver cannot start, or the device reports a failure. This often signifies a hardware or driver issue preventing the device from functioning correctly.
Common Causes
- Incompatible or Corrupted Device Driver: The device driver currently installed is either incompatible with the operating system or has become corrupted, preventing the device from initializing properly.
- Hardware Conflict: Another device in the system is using the same resources (IRQ, memory address) as the problematic device, creating a conflict that prevents the device from starting.
- Faulty Hardware: The device itself may be physically defective or damaged, leading to an inability to start or communicate with the system.
- Operating System Issues: Problems within the Operating System itself, such as corruption in the system files related to device management, can lead to Error Code 10.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Update or Reinstall the Device Driver
Step 1: Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting "Device Manager".
Step 2: Locate the device with the error (it'll likely have a yellow exclamation mark). Right-click on it and select "Update driver".
Step 3: Choose "Search automatically for drivers". Windows will attempt to find and install the latest driver.
Step 4: If Windows doesn't find a driver, visit the device manufacturer's website, download the latest driver for your operating system, and install it manually. To install manually, in Device Manager, right-click the device and select "Update driver". Choose "Browse my computer for drivers" and browse to the folder where you saved the downloaded driver.
Step 5: If updating doesn't work, try uninstalling the device (right-click and select "Uninstall device"). Then, restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically upon restart.
Method 2: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to "Update & Security" and then "Troubleshoot".
Step 3: Find the "Hardware and Devices" troubleshooter and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process. This troubleshooter can sometimes automatically identify and fix common hardware issues.
Method 3: Check for Hardware Conflicts
Step 1: Open Device Manager (Windows key + X, then select Device Manager).
Step 2: Expand the device categories and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or a red 'X'.
Step 3: If you suspect a conflict, disable the device that you think may be causing the problem (right-click and select "Disable device") and see if the original device starts working.
Step 4: If disabling a device resolves the issue, you may need to reconfigure the resources assigned to one or both of the devices. Consult the device documentation for instructions on how to change resource settings (IRQ, memory address, etc.). This is rarely necessary on modern systems but is worth investigating in older hardware environments.
Method 4: System File Checker
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. (Search for "cmd", right-click and select "Run as administrator").
Step 2: Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter.
Step 3: Allow the System File Checker to scan your system files. It will automatically attempt to repair any corrupted or missing system files.
Step 4: Restart your computer after the scan is complete.
Method 5: Check the Device's Power Settings
Step 1: Open Device Manager (Windows key + X, then select Device Manager).
Step 2: Locate the device with the error, right-click on it, and select "Properties".
Step 3: Go to the "Power Management" tab.
Step 4: If the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" checkbox is checked, try unchecking it. Sometimes, Windows incorrectly manages the power to certain devices, leading to startup problems.
Step 5: Click "OK" and restart your computer.