How To Fix Error Code 43 on Windows

Code 43 is an issue with Device Manager that signals to Windows your graphics device driver has encountered a problem and is no longer operating as it should. When it happens, you'll see a message that reads "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" on your screen.

This usually occurs due to either faulty hardware or driver software failing. To fix this, it's essential that you first diagnose what caused the malfunction whether it be defective graphics device drivers — or any other potentially problematic component associated with your system.

In this article, you'll find all the solutions to fix "Windows has stopped this device (Code 43)." Let's get started with troubleshooting!

Windows has stopped this device (code 43 error)

What Causes the Code 43 Error?

A code 43 error typically occurs when the hardware device has failed somehow. It can also occur if the device’s driver becomes outdated or corrupted or if its firmware has become outdated and needs to be updated.

The most common cause of this error is when Windows cannot identify the hardware due to an incorrect entry in the Windows registry. If your device driver goes out of date, it can cause code 43 errors as well.

Code 43 errors are usually seen on video cards and USB-connected devices such as printers, web cameras, iPhones, and similar peripherals. However, this error can occur in any hardware connected to your computer. The solutions below will help you resolve the problem and get your device back in working order.

How To Fix A Code 43 Error

To successfully address a code 43 error, the best course of action is to complete the steps below in sequential order:

Restart your computer
Plug the device into a different computer
Disable and enable the device
Reinstall the device drivers
Update the device drivers
Roll back the device driver
Install the latest Windows service pack
Update your BIOS
Use System Restore

Now, we can take a look at the step-by-step instructions for each of these solutions.

1. Restart Your Computer

The very first thing you should do is restart your computer. This will help refresh the system and clear any temporary files that may be causing this issue. Many common errors such as code 43 will usually resolve themselves after a reboot.

Click on the Start menu icon in your taskbar.
Locate the Power button and click on it once to expand the menu.
Click on Restart from the available options. Make sure to save your work before restarting your computer!

Wait for your system to reboot and check if you're still seeing the code 43 error on your device. If it persists, move on to the next solution provided below.

2. Plug the Device Into a Different Computer

It's possible that your system or hardware is having an issue with its current computer. To rule this out, try plugging the device into a different system and see if it works. This can help you determine whether or not the problem is caused by something in your PC's environment.

If possible, plug the device into a different computer and check to see if it’s functioning normally. If it is, you can assume that the problem lies with your computer. On the contrary, if the code 43 error shows up on a different computer as well, you can be sure the issue lies with the device in question.

3. Disable and Enable the Device

Similar to restarting your computer, you can also restart your device by disabling it and then enabling it again. To do this, just follow the steps below:

Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard at the same time to bring up the Run utility. Type in “devmgmt.msc” without quotation marks, then hit the OK button. This is going to launch the Device Manager in a separate window.
Expand the category the problematic device is in. Right-click on the device from the list, then select Disable device from the context menu.
A prompt will show up on the screen. Click Yes to proceed.
Wait for a minute. After some time has passed, right-click on the device listing again and select Enable device from the context menu.
Restart your computer again and see if this resolved the "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" error.

4. Reinstall the Device Drivers

More often than not, the code 43 error is caused by device drivers. To fix this, you have many different options. We recommend that you first reinstall the device driver as follows:

Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard at the same time to bring up the Run utility. Type in “devmgmt.msc” without quotation marks, then hit the OK button. This is going to launch the Device Manager in a separate window.
Expand the category the faulty device is in. Right-click on the audio adapter you’re using from the list, then select Uninstall device from the context menu.
Click Uninstall in the prompt that appears on the screen. Wait for Windows to remove the device before proceeding.
Click on Action from the Device Manager menu, and then choose Scan for hardware changes. You can also use the shortcut icon as shown in the image below:
After the driver is reinstalled, check if the same code 43 error appears when looking at your device in the Device Manager.

5. Update the Device Drivers

If reinstalling the current drivers didn't do the trick, you should try updating them to the most recent version. This can help resolve bugs and other compatibility issues that might be causing this error.

Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard simultaneously, then click on Device Manager.
Expand the section your faulty device is in by clicking on the arrow icon in front of it. Right-click on the device you’re using and choose Update Driver.
Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” to let Windows look for the latest drivers compatible with your device. Note that you’ll require a connection to the internet to perform this step.
Once the new driver has been downloaded and installed, restart your computer. Check if your problem with code 43 is resolved after the latest drivers are installed.

6. Roll Back the Device Driver

Another option you have is getting an older driver version for the device. Sometimes, new drivers can cause issues that weren’t present in older versions, so rolling back might be a viable solution.

Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard simultaneously, then click on Device Manager.
Expand the category your device is in by clicking on the arrow icon in front of it. Right-click on your problematic device and choose Properties.
A new pop-up window should appear. Here, switch to the Driver tab and then click on the Rollback driver button if available.

After performing these steps, you may be required to restart your computer in order for changes to take place. When done, check if the code 43 error still shows up.

7. Install the Latest Windows Service Pack

Windows service packs are released regularly to provide updates and fixes for many system problems. Installing the latest service pack might be able to help you resolve your code 43 error, as it can contain updated device drivers that fix issues.

To download the latest service pack, navigate to the Service Pack and Update Center. Select your operating system and follow the instructions provided by Microsoft to get the latest version compatible with your Windows.

8. Update Your BIOS

The basic input/output system (BIOS) is a firmware program stored on a small memory chip on the motherboard. It is responsible for managing the hardware components on your PC, and updating it might help resolve the code 43 error.

Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
Type in “cmd” without quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch the Command Prompt application.
Next, type the following commands one by one. Hit the Enter key after each command line to execute the command:
- systeminfo | findstr /I /c:bios
- wmic bios get manufacturer, smbiosbiosversion
These commands will help you identify the BIOS version. Use it to find the latest files required for updating your BIOS, unless you’re already on the latest version available.

9. Use System Restore

If none of the above solutions have worked, you can try using System Restore to undo any recent changes that might have caused the code 43 error. This will not affect your personal files or settings, and it is a great way to potentially fix this issue.

Warning: You may lose some newly installed applications! Make sure to check what programs and drivers will be affected during the System Restore process before you proceed.

Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. You can also bring it up with the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
Type in System Restore and click on Recovery from the search results. This should be on the top, in the Best match category.
This will take you to the Control Panel. Here, click on the Open System Restore link that can be seen in the Advanced recovery tools section.
Follow the on-screen instructions to restore a past point in time. You can select a restore point yourself or use the recommended one if Windows shows the option.
After choosing the options you’re happy with, click on the Finish button and wait for Windows to restore your computer. You’ll be able to tell whether or not this worked after your computer restarts with the loaded restore point.

Conclusion

A code 43 error indicates that something is wrong with either the hardware itself or its associated drivers on your system. We hope that this article has been able to provide you with the steps and instructions you need to successfully resolve this issue.

Here at SoftwareKeep, we’re always happy to help with any software-related issues you may be having. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need more help!

One More Thing

Looking for more tips? Check out our other guides in the SoftwareKeep Blog and our Help Center! You’ll find a wealth of information on how to troubleshoot various issues and find solutions to your tech problems.

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How To Fix Windows Has Stopped This Device (Code 43)